ZONE READS: In The Upstate, It All Starts Up Front

Jed Blackwell September 16, 2022 @ 03:00 PM

Every coach will tell you that success starts up front. That's evident in the Upstate. Six senior OL from the area are featured in the 2023 PRZ rankings, and all six have some things in common: size, speed, and a physical style of play. Here's a look at the top OL in the area.   [player_tooltip player_id='91355' first='Markee' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='202774' first='DJ' last='Geth'], Dorman   Dorman's starting guard tandem have helped pave the way for a Cavaliers' offense that is averaging 48 points and more than 450 yards of offense per game. They're both big and fast, but they're a lot more than that. Both are adept and both run and pass blocking, and both are more than quick enough to effectively pull and lead-block, and both can get to the second level for play-breaking blocks. They're also a little nasty, in the best possible way, finishing off plays well downfield for the Cavaliers.   [player_tooltip player_id='89342' first='Cam' last='Johnson'], Seneca   Want to find Johnson on film? Look for a defender on the ground, having no impact whatsoever on the play. Johnson is usually responsible. He's got a great first step, plenty of size, and the power to knock defenders off their feet, sometimes on first contact. He's good at pulling, good at stepping back to pass block, and excellent at the physical style of play his position demands.   [player_tooltip player_id='146355' first='Bryce' last='Smith'], Daniel   Speaking of guys who knock people off the ball, there's Smith. He's already got eight pancake blocks on the new season, and he's anchoring an offensive line that's buying time for a new QB, one who's already thrown for 1,000 yards. The Lions average nearly 500 yards of offense per game, and a lot of that is due to the work of Smith and his linemates. He's got every tool you want: power, speed, and physicality. Need somebody to pull? Smith. Finesse pass-block? Smith. Straight-ahead bulldozer at the goal-line? There's Smith, driving his guy five yards deep into the end zone.   [player_tooltip player_id='336115' first='Darrell' last='Brannon'], Spartanburg   Brannon is, to put it bluntly, a monster. At 6-4 and 315 pounds, the massive Brannon is often able to simply overwhelm defenders with his size and strength. He squats 545 pounds and bench-presses 280, and every bit of that strength is on display on the field. Brannon excels at engaging quickly and taking defenders out of plays, using his hand strength to casually toss them aside, in some cases. But he's deceptively quick for a guy his size, with good enough feet to be a stellar pass-blocker, and he's nimble enough to cut-block.   [player_tooltip player_id='443518' first='Matthew' last='Gongora'], Hillcrest   Gongora isn't the biggest guy on this list, but he looks like one of the most athletic. He does a great job of getting to the second level and getting a hat on linebackers, freeing up Hillcrest's offense for big plays in space behind him. He's also plenty physical, engaging blocks well past the line of scrimmage and continuing downfield. He's got enough power to eliminate defenders, and the footwork to be where he's supposed to be seemingly all the time.

Every coach will tell you that success starts up front. That's evident in the Upstate. Six senior OL from the area are featured in the 2023 PRZ rankings, and all six have some things in common: size, speed, and a physical style of play. Here's a look at the top OL in the area.