Utah’s 5A Offensive Line: Hidden Gems

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a lot of talent along the offensive line in Utah's 5A Class, yet only few can make All State and Honorable Mentions. I wanted to include some of the big guys that didn't make the cut to be on a All State team, yet they deserve to have their names mentioned here on Prep Redzone Utah's page. Here are the players that deserve to be heard....</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cooper Thacker / 6'3 / 270lbs / Wasatch HS Jr. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thacker helped anchor an offensive line that helped Quarterback Mack Kelson throw for 3,267 passing yards and Running Back Chris Cook run for 1,117 rushing yards. His physicality and toughness helps him open running lanes for ball carriers to run through as a run blocker. He is able to set his base, give initial contact while keeping his balance as a pass protector. Shows that he can sustain all his blocks from snap to whistle, so he'll be a lot of fun to watch come next year for senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14808714/6372705e5b3d6b0a108e2458">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14808714/6372705e5b3d6b0a108e2458</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ammon Shaw / 6'4 / 260lbs / Springville HS Sr.</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running Back [player_tooltip player_id='406997' first='Tevita' last='Valeti'] led the 5A Class with 22 TDs and Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='406866' first='Ryder' last='Burton'] is signing with BYU thanks to the Red Devil's offensive line. Shaw contributed to his teammate's success with his physical play showing good explosion off the ball as a run blocker. Has good base and gives initial contact while keeping his feet and balance as a pass protector. Has good size to play along the offensive line, so we hope to see continue at the next level where he can only get better. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11346784/633b58ab90fa0c091401953e">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11346784/633b58ab90fa0c091401953e</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brady Simonsen / 6'4 / 265lbs / Brighton HS Sr.</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running Back Kace Kurr was a 1,000 yard rusher and Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='406982' first='Jack' last='Johnson'] threw for 28 TDs thanks Brady Simonsen and the Bengals offensive line. Simonsen plays with good bend and balance in his stance, shows good explosion and leg drive as a run blocker driving defenders off the ball. Good run block on the move making open field blocks and mobility to pull and trap. Sets good base giving initial contact while keeping his balance as a pass protector. Has an offer to play at Black Hills State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14593605/Brady-Simonsen/about">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14593605/Brady-Simonsen/about</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/simonsen_brady/status/1600306449116078081","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/simonsen_brady/status/1600306449116078081 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/simonsen_brady/status/1579635582271369217","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/simonsen_brady/status/1579635582271369217 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dylan Chapman / 6'1 / 300lbs / Stansbury HS Sr. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chapman is a big physical player with good bend in his stance. Shows good feet quickness and physicality as a pass protector and also played defensive tackle where he was dominant along the LOS as well. Help contribute to the success of teammates Erza Harris leading the 5A Class in passing TDs with 39 and Running Back [player_tooltip player_id='406862' first='Mateaki' last='Helu'] signing with the University of Utah. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/6443200/Dylan-chapman/about">https://www.hudl.com/profile/6443200/Dylan-chapman/about</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_Dylan_Chapman/status/1597994541017362438","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_Dylan_Chapman/status/1597994541017362438 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benjamin Beddes / 6'4 / 285lbs / Payson HS Jr.</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beddes plays with good bend in his stance. Does a good job cutting off linebackers and making open field blocks. Shows good base and initial contact while sustaining his feet as a pass protector. Helped contribute to the productive season of Quarterback Kade Edwards being one of the top leaders in the 5A Class in passing yards and TDs. Looking forward to what he does next year as one of the top returners for the Payson Lions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11390910/Benjamin-Beddes/about">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11390910/Benjamin-Beddes/about</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->