Positional Breakdowns: 2024 Interior Offensive Lineman

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line position in New York is so deep that so many names need to be mentioned in the class of 2024. I felt the best way to approach this was by separating the interior offensive lineman and the offensive tackles for multiple reasons. First, each position requires some very similar traits while prioritizing different traits for each player. Additionally, many of these players are positionally versatile so by grouping them into interior or tackle by where they project at the next level; we can cover more guys and give more quality positional analysis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>The Top Guy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["241153"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='241153' first='Vincent' last='Petzold'] is one of the most athletic offensive lineman in New York. Petzold plays center where his ability to move and block in space is showcased through his ability to get to the second level and take on linebackers and safeties. Petzold is a great finisher and can get defenders to the ground using a strong lower body and violent hands. Petzold does a really good job of resetting his feet and moving off his initial block to take on a second block in the ran game. In pass protection, Petzold does a great job of finding work at the center position and has the power to stalemate and finish defensive tackles at the LOS. Overall, Petzold is one of the best interior offensive lineman in New York and certainly the best Center prospect in the state.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f424f76695"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Five Prospects To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["270834"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='270834' first='Justin' last='Costa'] has really solid tape at both Center and Guard for Holy Trinity. This past season at Center, Costa showcased really good movement on the interior while also displaying a really strong use of leverage and quickness in his lower body. Costa can move to the second level and get to linebackers but also has the power to take defensive tackles 1v1. Costa was a part of a Holy Trinity offense that featured a very strong screen/short passing game and there his ability to block in space was often used to block smaller more athletic defenders. Costa has solid size at 6-2, 275lbs but could add some more weight and strength to his frame which would certainly help increase his ceiling at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["351238"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='351238' first='Dallas' last='Harris'] is one of the most refined interior offensive lineman in New York. With two full seasons starting at center under his belt Harris has plenty of tape that showcases his consistency and ability at the position. Harris is really good at using hand placement and a strong upper body to control his engagements with defenders from snap to whistle. Once a defender is in Harris' control they rarely get out. Harris is one of the more powerful centers in the class where he may not always finish guys to the ground but he has great burst through his initial engagement and can push defenders back 3-5 yards consistently. In pass protection, Harris does a good job of mirroring pass rush moves and uses a strong wide base to effectively hold his ground.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["450633"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='450633' first='Dan' last='Pauletti'] is smaller for a guard prospect at 6'2, 280lbs but what he lacks in size he makes up for with an elite blocking motor and very solid fundamentals. Pauletti wins at the point of attack because he does the simple things so well. Pauletti is a walking definition of low man wins where he consistently dominates initial engagements by winning with a strong low base, and very quick chopping feet. Pauletti also moves really well for a guard and can be utilized both as a pulling guard and lead blocker through the hole or as a player who moves from double teams to the second level. Overall, Pauletti projects well at the next level due to some really solid fundamentals, his position at the next level could be dependent on how much bigger or stronger he gets by graduation.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["440721"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='440721' first='Ryan' last='Diaz'] is a really well-rounded center prospect that has limited weaknesses and showcases a solid ability in both the run and pass game. Diaz is positionally versatile where he can play guard or center at the next level. His ability to be effective in a gap running scheme both as a leading puller or a downhill blocker is one of his best traits. With the screens that Archbishop Stepinac run, Diaz also has some really solid tape blocking in space especially against much more athletic defenders. Diaz is one of the top returning lineman to the NYCHSFL and this season if he can showcase a stronger ability to finish and move he could easily be one of the top rising lineman in this class.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["630074"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Moore Catholic has been producing really solid lineman for years now but [player_tooltip player_id='630074' first='Aqil' last='Meredith-Smith'] does not get talked about enough. One of the few lineman on this list that played both offense and defense this past season Meredith-Smith is a really quality guard prospect. Meredith-Smith does a great job of finishing blocks to the ground and has really solid power on the interior. Meredith-Smith is really solid in pass protection where his foot speed and quick lower body help him maintain really good position in pass protection. Meredith-Smith also does a good job of creating leverage at the point of attack to win and give defenders no path to the ball.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f424f766ff"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Sleeper Prospects You Should Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["528713"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='528713' first='Romeo' last='Valle'] is one of the best pulling guards in this class. Valle does a great job of using really strong vision when pulling to find the first defender or the right defender to take on. Valle uses momentum and quickness to have a very strong initial engagement. Valle is a really solid pass protector and uses a very strong base to anchor against defensive tackles. Valle could work on some of his blocking in space and down the field but around the LOS Valle is incredibly talented.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["528476"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='528476' first='Liam' last='Forster'] may lack the size of some interior players but he plays in a dominant running offense where his motor and ability to make really powerful engagements against defenders is very strong. Forster, although smaller, makes up for it with quickness and foot speed that are a high level above most defenders. Forster does lack the pass pro reps you want to see from lineman coming out of high school but there are some really solid traits there, and a frame that can add some weight.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["604472"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='604472' first='Vito' last='Arcuri'] is a really solid guard prospect that wins with really solid hand placement and quickness off the ball. Arcuri is physical and can win with power sometimes but where he troubles defenders is with how well he moves and can create leverage at the POA. Arcuri has solid pass protection where his base maintains strength through power rushes and he has the skillset to stifle pass rush moves from smaller defenders due to his speed. Arcuri has a frame that could add some weight and muscle and that could be necessary for him to jump to the next level as a guard but overall has a very developed skillset already.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f424f76752"} /-->