West Michigan O-Linemen Ready for a Legendary Senior Season
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Don’t look now, but the OK-Conference has a ton of impressive O-Linemen. The following five linemen are all proven players, with the majority of them going into their 3rd Varsity season. The talent in West Michigan is for real, and…
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Continue ReadingDon’t look now, but the OK-Conference has a ton of impressive O-Linemen. The following five linemen are all proven players, with the majority of them going into their 3rd Varsity season. The talent in West Michigan is for real, and this offensive line group really exemplifies this. All of these linemen have D2 or D1 potential, and some have already received offers!
Karl Brooks Karl Brooks 6'4" | 345 lbs | OL Muskegon | 2024 State MI | Muskegon | Hudl
Karl Brooks Karl Brooks 6'4" | 345 lbs | OL Muskegon | 2024 State MI is about to have an incredible Senior season, and I hope he starts getting the Division 1 attention he deserves. First off, his size is absolutely perfect for an interior offensive lineman. This isn’t some kid that is naturally big and happens to play O-Line; no, Karl is passionate, well-coached, and talented at the position. Furthermore, I love his overall intangibles. From what I’ve seen of Karl, he’s competitive, relentless, and plays through the whistle. I know a lot of programs that look to Muskegon as an example of how to run things, and I know that this whole team, especially their O-Line, is a well-oiled machine, and it has been for quite a while.
Moving onto his tape, it’s apparent that Karl excels at run blocking. Now, these aren’t basic small-town zone runs, as Muskegon runs a pretty complex and unique playbook that has the whole line doing some more difficult blocks. When Karl pulls, he deletes players. When he’s face-to-face with a D-Lineman, he’s able to move some big boys and open up WIDE holes. Although Muskegon doesn’t pass a whole lot, Karl is proven to be serviceable in that aspect as well. I could go on and on, but Karl is a standout at Muskegon and deserves to be put on a similar level as his teammate Miguel Botello Miguel Botello 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Muskegon | 2024 State MI .
Brendan Napieralski Brendan Napieralski 6'3" | 265 lbs | OL Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2024 State MI | GR Catholic Central | Hudl
If I could sum up Brendan in one sentence, it would be this; This is a two-way dominant starter on a State Championship team who sports good size for the position.
Brendan is a cornerstone piece for Catholic Central and has been a full-time starter since his Sophomore season. In a pass-heavy offense, Brendan does well at pass blocking against decent competition. In the run game, he’s trusted to pull from the Tackle position, and he does a good job at getting to the second level and beyond as a lead blocker. Although I have a fringe DIII grade on Brendan now, he’d surely set for an amazing senior season as the CC offense looks borderline unstoppable this season.
Alex McPhee Alex McPhee 6'5" | 295 lbs | OL Rockford | 2024 State MI | Rockford | Hudl
Alex is an incredibly intriguing prospect from Rockford. At 6’5″ 260, he looks the part as a potential Divison 1 college lineman. I’m getting a bit ahead of myself, but my point is that Alex has all the physical and many intangible tools (from what I hear) to be great. Amazing student, good guy, hard worker. Now, for his tape.
Alex is a very good pass-blocker. His punch oftentimes pushes rushers back a few yards, and his footwork is well above average. I would like to see him in person this summer doing some pass blocks against proven D-Linemen, but I trust the tape doesn’t lie here. In the run game, Alex moves super well for his size, and shoves guys around like it’s nothing. Now, just from the film I’ve seen, it’s mostly shoving, not engage and drive. It almost looks like he’s pass-blocking in the run game, and I personally want to see a lot more engagement in a block, and driving a guy back, as this proves Alex can maintain blocks. Still, I see Alex as a D2 prospect at worst. There’s simply too much upside not for a school to take a chance on this guy!
Luke Emmons Luke Emmons 6'3" | 300 lbs | OL Mona Shores | 2024 State MI | Mona Shores | Hudl
Emmons is just a straight-up solid player. A two-way starter for a DII title contender, Emmons just goes to work. Offensively he uses his size to his advantage and is able to pancake players with relative ease. He’s not the most agile lineman, but he gets the job done time and time again and is a great lineman in the OK-Green. Defensively, he’s an absolute anchor, and O-linemen have a very difficult time moving him. Luke’s senior season will cap off what has been a very productive and memorable campaign!
Gabe VanSickle Gabe VanSickle 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL Coopersville | 2024 State MI | Coopersville | Hudl
I don’t have to hype Gabe up too much, as he’s BLOWN UP since last fall. Sporting many Division 1 offers, Gabe proved this year that he’s simply too good for the OK-Blue. Agile, powerful, holds onto blocks, high motor. Watch his film and see why Division 1 teams are fighting for his commitment!