VTO Trench Corps Standouts – Offensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The VTO Trench Corps does a great job of being 7 on 7 for offensive and defensive linemen in the Charlotte Metro Area. I attended a recent session and came away very impressed with the talent that was on hand. The linemen work technique in pass protection and specific run-blocking drills, but they also perform team-building exercises and work on conditioning. Let's take a look at a few of the standout offensive linemen here with my observations from their session work. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leo Delaney - East Mecklenburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leo was impressive up close, this was my first time seeing him in person. He has excellent size and is athletic out of his stance and he moves his feet well to stay in front of speed rushers. I think he's a little under the radar as I have said before, he has the frame and ability to be a potential Division 1 offensive lineman in my honest opinion. 6'6 and 265 pounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377192' first='Cash' last='Topinka'] - Providence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cash I think is one of the best pure power guards in the state of North Carolina. He did a very good job against interior pass rushers, stalemating them at the line of scrimmage consistently. He also showed good footwork in an outside zone blocking drill. At 6'2 and 315 pounds he definitely projects as an interior offensive lineman at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Khamari Lawson - Palisades</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lawson worked at both tackle and guard the times I saw him in 1 on 1's. I think he will play tackle next season, but he showed the ability to play either one and I think at the college level it will be interesting to see where coaches may prefer him. At 6'4 and 260 pounds, he moved his feet well at tackle and displayed enough strength to do well against interior pass rushers at the guard position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='335913' first='Umar' last='Rockhead'] - Mallard Creek </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have liked Umar for a long time, and he continues to show great progression in his game from the tackle position. He has added good weight to his frame since the last time I saw him in person, but he has retained his agility and footwork that had made him a very good prospect. He lists himself at 6'5 and 265 pounds but I maybe would say he looked at 275 when I saw him. Major recruit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Justin Rogers - Central Cabarrus</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Justin is a good, strong, &amp; stout offensive lineman that stood out in both pass protection and in the 1 on 1 outside zone drill sessions. He does a great job with footwork and leverage, and I see why he was All-Conference last season. As a center, I can definitely see him as a leader and someone who will win his matchups and do his job play in and play out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915417' first='Phinnell' last='Marshall'] - West Charlotte </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phinnell stood out as an interior offensive lineman with some really good size - at 6'5 and I would estimate maybe 285 pounds he did a great job of getting his hands on defensive tackles and stunting their upfield charge. I also enjoyed his personality, he played with a good spirit and enjoyed finishing blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->