Top 10 State Championship Performances: OL
In this article:
We wrap up our coverage of the top offensive players from the seven State Championship games with a look at the OL. This group was by far the deepest, and most talented group of the event. The OL was loaded…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe wrap up our coverage of the top offensive players from the seven State Championship games with a look at the OL. This group was by far the deepest, and most talented group of the event. The OL was loaded with a handful of D1 kids including multiple that will play FBS football. Every kid on this list is a name to know, and will be playing at some level on Saturdays down the road. It is not easy to find big, athletic, gifted linemen, but the State Championships were overflowing with them. Let’s get into the most talent rich group in this series!
The best individual offensive line performance of teh day was the play from Mukwonago junior Nathan Roy Nathan Roy 6’5″ | 275 lbs | OL Mukwonago | 2024 State WI . The 6’5″ 270 lbs tackle is far and away the best OT prospect in the state of WI. He has a plethora of FBS offers from schools that agree. The #1 trait, and the thing that separates elite linemen from the rest, is Nathan’s balance and body control. The dude plays with great ankle, knee, and hip bend/flexibility. That allows him to be able to recover from awkward angles, and maintain his elite strength at weird angles. The big man also changes direction well. Both when attacking in the run game, and when mirroring pass rushers in pass pro. Roy has very good foot agility boosting his reactive athleticism. Nathan also makes several highlight plays where he is leading 10+ yards downfield thanks to his ability to play in space and range. There are plays where the big man is running with RBs and throwing blocks 40+ yards downfield. Nathan is an elite prospect, and even though he is #5 currently there is a good chance we see him continue to rise the rankings. He is one of WI’s can’t miss prospects.
My next top performer from State was the dominant junior lineman from Catholic Memorial. The 6’5″ 300+ lbs athlete mauls his opponents in the trenches, and he put it on full display in his final game of the season. Donovan is another WI junior holding several FBS offers. The talent and traits are off the charts. Strength is the name of the game when it comes to Harbour. His strength and anchor are special. Donovan is able to easily negate his opponent’s strength with force and a stout, powerful base. When the big man sinks his hips he can absorb a ton of force without giving up ground. In the run game, Donovan is able to gain positive yards after contact with a defender. He walks them off the line with his wide base, heavy hands, and powerful leg drive. He plays a lot of tackle now, but I believe Harbour will be a dominant guard prospect.
Highlights
Minnesota State- Mankato has a dominant force committed to them in OL Collin Selk Collin Selk 6’4″ | 285 lbs | OL Columbus | 2023 State WI . The two way All State lineman owned the trenches every week of the season, and that didn’t change in the Championship round. His opponent’s front seven was a loaded group, but Selk was up to the challenge. He made an impact in every way. Collin was excellent when he pulled. He is an easy mover, has the range to go across the formation or up to the second level. He is extremely stout and strong making him one of the state’s best run blocking linemen. That translated to success for the entire offense. Looking more at the run game, Collin is able to do everything asked of him. He can reach defenders, cut off backside, create movement against level one. I think there are big things ahead for the senior.
Next up, we have another dominant senior. Monroe has one goal on a weekly basis. Run the ball. They did that to the tune of 5,100+ yards and 79 rushing TDs before the State Championship. Leading the way, more so clearing the way, was the Navy commit. Bunker is a big, athletic guard. Isaac is going to fit so well into that triple option based off what I saw in his Championship performance. The 6’4″ 270 lbs guard explodes out of his stance with instant power. Bunker flattened many West Salem defenders with that initial power and heavy hands. The big man was a lethal puller as well. His explosiveness upon contact jumps off the tape. Isaac also finished his blocks to the ground on nearly a snap to snap basis. It felt almost unfair watching him maul defenders all game long. Navy has a great fit coming into town.
An under the radar 2024 who really impressed me was the 6’5″ 290 lbs OT from Kettle Moraine. I don’t think we will be able to call him under the radar for much longer, though. Greyden has proven this season that he belongs in the conversation with the other stud 2024 OL prospects. That elite frame comes with very impressive technique already. The technician keeps a wide base, and tight hands allowing him to always be ready to strike his bunch right to the center of his opponent’s chest. He has a very balanced game already. You can rely on him to be able to mirror in pass coverage just as much as you can trust him to be able to pull or drive him man off the line in the run game. The young athlete has me very excited for his future because I still see so much room for improvement, and he has so many traits to build upon. Expect his recruitment to explode sometime before next season.
Highlights
One of the premier uncommitted seniors in WI is next up on our list of elite OL performances. Hewston is an athlete who I have watched rapidly develop his game over the past year. The 6’6″ 285 lbs LT has quickly improved his body control from where it was a year ago. His flexibility in his joints have allowed him to move easier resulting in better reactive athleticism, more range, and the ability to stick even tighter to his blocks. We also got to see his run blocking on full display. When Hewston gets to attack straight ahead, and keeps his hands tight inside, he is able to drive his level one defender off the ball and create positive yards. Steger currently holds offers from the D1 and D2 levels.
Jae’Shaun Thomas
Jae’Shaun Thomas
A new name on my radar was the junior from Catholic Memorial. If he isn’t on the radar of next level coaches it is time to change that. The 6’4″ 265 guard caught my eye over and over. The young man is a versatile talent. You can see him at guard and tackle throughout the season, and excelling at both. I believe guard is where his future is at. When he can rely on his power, heavy hands, and anchor strength the kid dominates the trenches. In pass protection, Jae’Shaun ends the battle as soon as he gets hands on and drops his hips. Nobody was able to move him after that. The kid’s initial punch also jump out to me. He stopped defender’s in their tracks when he made good contact, and in the run game he paired that with the lower body strength to drive defenders off the ball or bury them at the line. Thomas is a raw talent, but with a year of HS ahead of him still, expect big things. He will have a strong debut in our rankings this winter.
Brayden Thompson
Brayden Thompson
Another breakout athlete was the 6’8″ 315 lbs sophomore. A kid that big at that age doesn’t come along very often. Even fewer have the balance, and body control to be able to play in the trenches on varsity at that age. Brayden is raw but he was able to show that he could cut off backside defenders, and he could get to the second level. The underclassman also impressed me with his aggressiveness. He was always looking for someone to throw a hit on. If he was uncovered he would go throw a chip block on the man over the guard. Brayden also had the strength to not lose ground in zone blocking. He could get down the line while also holding his ground. Thompson is definitely raw, but we are seeing the early signs of a special talent. I’m excited for the next two seasons of development that we get to watch. By the time 2024 rolls around people will know this kid if he puts in the work.
Another top performing senior OL was the Catholic Memorial product. The 6’1″2 80 lbs prospect has earned a pair of D3 offers from Carthage and UW- Oshkosh. The interior OL is put together very well. He has a big upper body, and a smaller, athletic lower body. It allows him to have light, quick feet but still be able to pack a punch at the point of contact. Literally. Lott uses those light feet to pull and close quickly on his targets before they can see it coming. The senior also does a really good job of playing angles and putting himself in the correct position to keep himself between the defender and the ball. I’m glad he is starting to get the recruiting attention he deserves. More should give him a look at that level. He can play at the college level.
We end our coverage of the very talented, and deep OL position with another Kettle Moraine Laser. The 6’3″ 260 lbs guard seemed to catch my eye twice a play when I focused on him. First, his very light feet gave him some of the best range and overall movement of any lineman at State. Then he would transition that into power at the point of contact. At the point of contact, Jorge runs right through defenders led by his strong hands. The junior finishes to the ground consistently also. Lastly, the junior has good awareness and instincts. He knows who to pick up if uncovered, doesn’t have to slow down to process what he sees, and he adjusts in traffic well. The Kettle Moraine is going to have quite the OL next fall with Jorge and his two teammates above all returning.