Five Offensive Linemen We All Will Be Talking About More in 2023
In this article:
Today we breakdown the tape of five offensive linemen that should become household names for the 2023 season. These linemen vary in size, but all manage to get the job done in a number of ways. These linemen all reside…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingToday we breakdown the tape of five offensive linemen that should become household names for the 2023 season. These linemen vary in size, but all manage to get the job done in a number of ways. These linemen all reside in Monmouth and Ocean Counties and thus play within Jersey’s Shore Conference.
The Raritan Rockets might have one of the most physical and technically sound o-linemen that I have scouted in the state thus far. Also a wrestler and former basketball player, Tommy Jeleniewski Tommy Jeleniewski 6’3″ | 280 lbs | OL Raritan | 2024 State NJ is 6’3″ 275lbs, made 28 tackles on defense, and also plays center – which is a big plus for recruiting.
Jeleniewski is a beast when it comes to drive blocking. He has great leg drive and keeps opponents tight to his chest while controlling his opponents by the breast plate. Additionally, he plays through the whistle and does not give up on any blocks. Taking into consideration his size and speed, he takes great angles on toss plays when asked to reach block to the second level. Jeleniewski is effective in creating separation from pass rushers, keeping them at bay. I would love to see Jeleniewski win more consistently with his head when blocking back.
I really enjoyed watching Jeleniewski’s tape. His game is one that translates to any scheme, he has the size to play any position on the o-line, and he is a prospect that colleges need to know about.
Much of the buzz that surrounds Toms River North revolves around the state’s top o-lineman OT Ja’elyne Matthews Ja’elyne Matthews 6’6″ | 300 lbs | OL Toms River North | 2025 State NJ . However, OT playing opposite of him ain’t no slouch either. Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 285lbs is Justin Kaye Justin Kaye 6’6″ | 285 lbs | OL Toms River North | 2024 State NJ . Kaye also throws shot put and discus for the Mariners.
Kaye has the ability to overpower and have opponents, literally, totally fold in on themselves in his first two steps. I attribute Kaye’s ability to demolish anyone in front of him to how he loads up, cocking back his hands for a shell-shocking punch within his first two steps. Kaye is nimble enough to get to the second level, and when he does, he latches on and drives LBs backwards. Two areas I think Kay can build upon that would catapult his recruiting status to bonafide FBS prospect is to get his head across consistently on backside blocks and limit false steps.
With two enormous bodies blocking up front, a QB who is headed to Stanford University, and a DB/RB also of FBS caliber, Toms River North might be the most loaded, prolific public school team since the early-to-mid-2000 Piscataway Chiefs.
A pair of Cougars look to lead Colts Neck in the trenches next fall. Lining up with teammate JJ Cifelli is
Matthew Liggio
Matthew
Liggio
6’0″ | 255 lbs | OL
Colts Neck | 2024
NJ
, a 5’11” 255lb two-way linemen who also pitched in with 20 tackles on defense.Based on the way Liggio pulls he must have been born to play guard. He has clean steps and gets to the point of attack very quickly. He does a nice job wrapping and sealing inside. Similarly, he does a great job in rollout/turn protection, first securing his play side gap for any immediate threats, then folding backside to seal for any pursuit. An area for Liggio to grow as he enters next season are to focus on is his leg drive. To dominate, he must keep his feet driving and keep them driving through contact when pulling.
With two-fifths of their o-line returning, expect the Colts Neck Cougars to be on the prowl this coming fall.
Highlights
The Middletown South Eagles have one o-lineman who seems particularly keen on details. Enter Ryan Lewandowski Ryan Lewandowski 6’0″ | 240 lbs | OL Middletown South | 2025 NJ , the 6 foot 240lb lacrosse player.
The Devil is in the details and that is perhaps what makes Lewandoski so lethal. First, he is never out leveraged when blocking because he consistently steps with the correct foot. Lewandoski is chest-to-chest with his assignment while controlling his matchup because he has hands locked onto their breast plate, establishing his 3-points of contact. He does not give up his base either, maintaining the distance between his legs and churns his legs as he drives blocks. He can effectively get to the second level and with his fundamentals so strong, Lewandoski totally bodies opponents on double teams. Should Lewandoski bend a little bit more and include clips of him in pass protection, he will solidify is status as a blue-chip prospect that a college o-line coach can build around.
Loaded with talent (more to come on that), Middletown South is a team who kept receipts all through the offseason. With this much motivated talent returning, expect many wins by a large this season.
On the other side of Middletown, the Lions up North are led in the trenches by 5’9″ 255lb lineman Andrew Klimovich Andrew Klimovich 5’9″ | 225 lbs | OL Middletown North | 2025 NJ .
Klimovich has an inherent advantage to his game because he is a little shorter in stature. He leverages this well to play with a lower pad level and attack his matchup at their hips. Klimovich likes to play to the whistle and follows the play consistently when backside. Working well with his adjacent linemen is a plus, as together they get good vertical displacement on down-linemen. When solo, he can effectively drive block opponents. Should Klimovich wish to play college football, I urge him to create a highlight tape for himself to market to coaches at the next level.