2024 iOL Prospects You Need to Know
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People may think that the tackle position has a higher value than one of the interior offensive line spots, but coaches routinely talk about the strength of the line as a unit as opposed to the separate abilities of five…
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Continue ReadingPeople may think that the tackle position has a higher value than one of the interior offensive line spots, but coaches routinely talk about the strength of the line as a unit as opposed to the separate abilities of five individual players. Let’s take a look at six of the best interior linemen who are bound to improve an offensive line unit at the next level.
Drew Swingle Drew Swingle 6’4″ | 270 lbs | OL Eureka | 2024 State MO is a versatile lineman for the Eureka Wildcats. Drew holds four offers at the FCS level; With three coming from the Missouri Valley Football Conference, I would expect the rest of that conference to have a hot battle for Drew’s recruitment throughout his senior year.
Drew’s upper body strength shows in his latch, while his effort prevents linemen from escaping his clutches in the run game. Drew’s next level athleticism shows gaining leverage and sustaining blocks laterally in zone run schemes. Coaches will like his experience at center and tackle for the next level. Drew’s good anchor versus power rushers highlights interior position flexibility at the next level.
Highlights
Hazelwood Central comes in to 2023 with a talented offense. Brandon Mason Brandon Mason 6’6″ | 245 lbs | OL Hazelwood Central | 2024 State MO plays right tackle for the Hawks and has the athleticism to play tackle at the next level; However, college coaches will love his ideal length for guard.
Regardless of position, coaches love seeing Brandon’s power & effort drive defensive linemen five plus yards from the point of attack. Brandon’s reactive athleticism shows mirroring edge rushers, while his strength allows him to bury pass rushers into the dirt. Brandon shows good bend, patience, and punch in pass protection, highlighting his versatility for the next level.
Derek Joiner Derek Joiner 6’1″ | 255 lbs | OL Grandview | 2024 State MO has a mean streak in him offensive line coaches love. Derek is a dominant heavyweight wrestler whose physicality shows playing guard for Grandview. Derek has offers from SEMO & UNLV according to his Twitter account.
Derek’s good latch & leg drive get highlighted down blocking bigger nose tackles into the dirt. Next level power shows consistently flattening defenders in the open field. Derek’s flexibility & athleticism allows him to mirror defensive backs before attacking them at the second level. Good competiveness & instincts will have college coaches excited about his position change to center at the next level.
Highlights
Bryce Parson Bryce Parson 6’3″ | 280 lbs | OL CBC | 2024 State MO is an ideal interior OL prospect who holds six offers across the FCS & FBS levels. No surprise considering the 2022 state champ has been going to ESPN camps since he was a sophomore. Good size, speed, & athleticism for center should make Bryce’s recruitment a tightly contested race down the stretch.
Bryce’s toughness and finish show driving defensive linemen into the secondary. Good strength & leg drive shows leading running backs to the endzone on inside zone runs. Bryce’s next level speed & athleticism shows vacating the line of scrimmage on screen passes and changing direction in the open field. College coaches looking for interior line help will be impressed with Bryce’s quick feet, good balance, and athletic change of direction shown picking up LBs at the second level.
Dontrell Holt Dontrell Holt 6’5″ | 290 lbs | OL Joplin | 2024 State MO is a leader along the offensive front for Joplin High School. A tough, athletic blocker at tackle, Dontrell’s size combines to project him to any position along the interior of an offensive line.
Dontrell’s next level lateral quickness shows mirroring in pass protection and gaining good leverage on linebackers at the second level. Dontrell’s power shows finishing defenders with an attitude, while his athleticism allows him to lead block as a puller from multiple positions; College coaches visualize Dontrell as a pulling guard at the next level when seeing him lead block as an H-TE.
Highlights
Talan Chandler Talan Chandler 6’3″ | 290 lbs | OL Nevada | 2024 State MO is committed to Colorado. Among other highly touted OL prospects, Talan is the first of the 2024 iOL prospects to accept a power five offer.
Talan has rare acceleration for his size which gets highlighted exploding off the ball. Next level athleticism is consistently displayed mirroring defenders in space as a puller. Talan’s veteran football IQ shows in pass protection; Good peripheral vision lets him pick up late stunts & threats in rolllout protection schemes. Talan has a solid punch in pass protection, but you really see his tenacity by driving defenders beyond the line of scrimmage after the ball is thrown.