Top 5 Offensive Linemen in Southern WI
The southern half of WI is home to an elite group of offensive linemen. Linemen that will play D1 football, or at least have the offer to do so. It is also a group of linemen that span across every…
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Continue ReadingThe southern half of WI is home to an elite group of offensive linemen. Linemen that will play D1 football, or at least have the offer to do so. It is also a group of linemen that span across every class. From ’23- ’25 there are big fellas that the highest level of competition is going to be pushing for. Every member of the Top 5 already possess college offers, and the first 4 all have D1 offers. This is a special group. Make sure to know the names of the Honorable Mention members as well. The majority of them will be D1 as well. Let’s dive into the group!
1. Derek Jensen Derek Jensen 6'7" | 310 lbs | OL Arrowhead | 2024 State WI , ’24- Arrowhead ()
The 6’6″ 300 lbs soon to be junior is shaping himself into being an elite force on the OL. His jump from his freshman to sophomore season was the best I have seen. His improvements in body control while continuing to grow and fill out is special. He possesses light feet, and Derek is a powerful man mover in the run game. The potential is through the roof and the offers match that potential. Derek currently holds FBS offers from Minnesota, Purdue, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Syracuse, Central Michigan, Virginia, Iowa State, and Illinois. The list is going to continue to grow for the big man, and I am very intrigued by how big of a jump he can make after another offseason of development. This will be the first film I run to after Week 2 this fall.
2. Donovan Harbour Donovan Harbour 6'5" | 320 lbs | OL Catholic Memorial | 2024 State WI , ’24- Catholic Memorial
The 6’5″ 315 lbs tackle is coming for the #1 spot! He is the epitome of a dancing bear. He is massive, yet his light feet allow him to slide so easily. Donovan has extremely heavy hands as well. His punches send defenders to the ground and completely shuts down their bull rush attempts. Harbour’s overall strength is so overpowering for this level of competition. The big man has also shown the range to get to the second level, and he can pull to lead through or kick out defenders. It is hard to find a weakness in the sophomore’s tape. The FBS level has been pursuing his talents heavily. He has a ton of offers including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Oregon, and a brand new offer from Ohio State. The sky is the limit or Donovan. He is a special prospect.
3. Jackson Stortz Jackson Stortz 6'4" | 245 lbs | OL Hartford Union | 2023 State WI , ’23- Hartford Union (Jackson’s Junior Highlights)
Jackson has one of my favorite highlight tapes to watch. He has elite movement skills, and the play strength of a lineman 50 lbs heavier. Stortz is elite in the run game. His leg drive is so strong. He maintains a wide, strong base and perfect technique. The fact he is only 6’4″ 245 lbs has me so excited for his future because once he adds 30+ lbs he is only going to be more of a monster in the run game. The signs are there telling me he is going to continue growing and filling out also. He has an 82″ wingspan and 10.5″ mitts for hands. Even with his current size, Jackson holds offers from Navy, Army, and South Dakota. That list is going to continue to grow over the next several months. Especially with camp season approaching.
4. Charlie Hoitink Charlie Hoitink 6'4" | 305 lbs | OL Slinger | 2025 WI , ’25- Slinger (Charlie’s Freshman Highlights)
Write this name down because big things are coming. Charlie is checking in at 6’4″ 302 lbs after playing his freshman season at 283 lbs. To go along with elite size, Charlie holds 4 U16 American Records in powerlifting for his weight class. Size and strentgh are not an issue. Turn on the tape and you see that his range and atheliticism are major strengths as well. He easily gets out of his stance at center and gets to the second level or is able to reach DTs a gap over from him. The interior of the Slinger OL is going to be in good hands for a long time. The frehsman already holds one offer from Penn. It is going to be a battle to take away the #1 OL rank from the young man for the Class of 2025.
5. Griffin Empey Griffin Empey 6'3" | 270 lbs | OL Stoughton | 2023 State WI , ’23- Stoughton (Griffin’s Junior Highlights)
The Stoughton OL has excellent tape if you love to see linemen play with leverage down in and down out. It seems like every snap of his highlights Griffin is playing lower than the defender he engages with at the point of contact. That shouldn’t be a surprise as the 260 lbs wrestler has been the State Runner Up for the past two years. Empey also is very impressive in all his movements. He springs out of his stance in the run game, and quickly closes on DL and LBs. That burst comes in handy as he has shown to be able to trap blitzing LBs because he was able to pull and get to the spot fast enough. I believe Griffin is on the verge of breaking into D1 consideration. He already holds multiple D2 offers.
Honorable Mention:
Ian Parker Ian Parker 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL University of Milwaukee | 2023 State WI , ’23- University School of Milwaukee: 6’5″ 270 lbs, 1st Team All Conference
Benjamin Buxa Benjamin Buxa 6'3" | 275 lbs | OL Lakeside Lutheran | 2023 State WI , ’23- Lakeside Lutheran: 6’3″ 280, All Region, Co- All Conference OL of the Year
Isaac Bunker Isaac Bunker 6'4" | 265 lbs | OL Monroe | 2023 State WI , ’23- Monroe: 6’4″ 250, Honorable Mention All- State, All Region, All Conference
Greyden Rumohr Greyden Rumohr 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL Kettle Moraine | 2024 State WI , ’24- Kettle Moraine: 6’5″ 280, All Conference Honorable Mention
Nino Baier Nino Baier 6'3" | 310 lbs | OL Menomonee Falls | 2024 State WI , ’24- Menomonee Falls: 6’4″ 300, #6 OL in Class of 2024