Best of the Basin: 2024 OL
I thought it was only right to start my Nevada coverage off with some of the best prospects in the trenches. The talent on both sides of the line of scrimmage for the 2024 class has been impressive. This article…
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Continue ReadingI thought it was only right to start my Nevada coverage off with some of the best prospects in the trenches. The talent on both sides of the line of scrimmage for the 2024 class has been impressive. This article highlights five offensive line prospects who jumped off the tape as soon as I started my 2024 evaluations.
Loni Tautolo-Bloomfield Loni Tautolo-Bloomfield 5’10” | 250 lbs | DL Reed | 2024 State NV is a talented two-way prospect out of Reed High School. Loni received a spring game invite from Minot State University and also has gotten some social media attention from Jamestown University. With more camp attendances to come this summer, look for the versatile lineman’s regional recruitment to heat up before his senior season is finished.
Loni shows explosive power in his knockback when initiating contact with defensive linemen. Loni’s good effort and next level strength gets displayed removing multiple defenders from the point of attack. Lateral quickness and a strong punch show redirecting in pass protection to stone speed rushers attempting inside moves.
Justin Rickett Justin Rickett 6’1″ | 310 lbs | OL McQueen | 2024 State NV is a versatile lineman for McQueen High School who best projects to the inside at the next level. Justin was invited to a Mercer game last fall. With a couple camps to attend before the summer is over, look for Justin’s recruitment to heat up after an opportunity to showcase his next level skillset.
Justin shows good power knocking pass rushers off-balance with his punch. Next level size and strength shows creating space and overpowering defensive linemen at the point of attack. With quick feet, good knee bend, and reactive athleticism shown mirroring as a pass protector, look for teams in need of a tackle to be taking a trip to McQueen High School before the 2023 season ends.
Jayvn Puono is the left tackle for Bishop Manogue who best projects to guard at the next level. I have seen Jayvn receive some Mountain West attention, but I am surprised the versatile lineman has not received more regional attention north & east of Nevada; Keep an eye on more schools in the region to be in contact with Jayvn before the 2023 season gets here.
In the run game, Jayvn shows quick feet and a smooth change of direction breaking down to block linebackers at the second level. Jayvn’s power shows creating movement at the point of attack, while his motor and attitude shows finishing defensive linemen downfield. Jayvn’s flexibility and solid anchor shows holding his ground with good leverage versus edge rushers.
[player_tooltip player_id=’811159′ first=’Tyler’ last=’Miller is a versatile tackle for Galena High School and one of the top OL recruits out of the Reno area. Tyler projects well to an interior lineman at the next level. Tyler holds offers from Norfolk State, San Diego State, and the University of Nevada. I counted over five separate visits between PAC 12 and Mountain West schools on Tyler’s Twitter account; Look for the skilled lineman to be a top west coast OL recruit before the 2024 class has played their final season.
Tyler’s attitude and next level power shows knocking linebackers out as a puller at the point of attack. Tyler shows a strong punch and quick feet mirroring edge rushers as a left tackle in pass protection. Good quickness shows gaining leverage laterally when reach blocking at the point of attack. Tyler shows an athletic change of direction and ideal flexibility gaining good position on linebackers at the second level.
Xander Ruggeroli is Bishop Gorman’s latest nationally recruited tank in the trenches. According to Twitter, Xander’s latest college visit was to Oklahoma and most recent offer was from the University of Nevada. At last count, I had Xander down for 9 FBS offers total. Great size and strength for a college tackle should leave Xander with even more national options to choose from before the time comes to pick a school.
Xander’s reactive athleticism and quick feet show changing direction to pick up blitzing linebackers in the run game. Xander’s motor, lower body strength, and good flexibility shows getting under defenders at the point of attack and driving them over ten yards downfield. Xander displays an ideal pass protection skill set in a strong anchor and lateral quickness that stones speed rushers failing to generate pressure off the edge.