2024 Rankings – Offensive Linemen Spotlight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 football season is right around the corner and at the conclusion of spring practices across Oklahoma, it's a perfect time to update the prospect rankings! We're wrapping up our ranking updates this week with the state's 2024 class and it went from a Top 125 to a Top 150. If you missed that update,&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2024-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">you can check that out right here!</a></strong>&nbsp;Throughout the week, we're diving deep into the rankings with prospect breakdowns. We're discussing why these players are already on our radar and already on the radar for the next level. Keep it locked in throughout the week as we break down more 2024 prospects. And if you missed any of our other ranking updates, you can check those out now!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this breakdown, we're putting a spotlight on the offensive line position with some of the top prospects at that position. This group is getting deeper and deeper and there are some absolute maulers in this breakdown. A pair of these prospects have already given their commitments while the other three are still earning offers from D1 programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["216585"],"_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":"Norman North offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='216585' first='Harrison' last='Utley'] continues to hold on to the top spot among the offensive line group in the state's 2024 class. Out of all the prospects at this position, Utley probably saw his recruitment take off first with multiple offers from D1 programs. Eventually, the Norman North big man would settle in on Kansas and committed to the Jayhawks. We really like this Norman North offensive line as they have another 2024 OL prospect we're excited about and a few younger prospects that are up and coming. But Utley is the engine that makes this machine go and he anchors the line and sets the tone. We got a chance to watch Utley up close this past spring at a team camp and he was just bullying opposing defensive linemen. He has size, quick hands and really good technique, which has turned him into one of the top overall guys in the class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["194066"],"_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":"Right behind Utley is Bixby offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='194066' first='Brody' last='Duffel'] as these two have been neck and neck in terms of the chase for the top spot at the position. And just like Utley, we really like the offensive line unit that Bixby has coming back this season and it could be one of the better position groups in the state. Duffel is the leader of that group and has the ability to set the tone early on and this is a Bixby team that loves to move their offensive linemen around. And we're not talking positions. The Spartans do a lot of misdirection and counter runs so the Bixby linemen get out of their stances quick and when they are on the move, they always come with bad intentions. Duffel is a prospect that we think translates perfect to the next level at one of the tackle positions. And the Spartans have a nice growing list of next level offensive linemen that they've produced.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["289517"],"_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":"Booker T Washington offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='289517' first='Darian' last='Melendez'] is another example of a prospect that keeps his head down, does the work and is seeing it pay off in a big way. Melendez is definitely a player that has improved his stock as a prospect because of the constant dedication to working and getting better at his craft. He's come to a few of our prospect camps in the offseason and is always one of the better guys at the position. He has continued that offseason training over the last 18 months and is now going into his senior season as one of the better prospects at his position. We saw Melendez line up primarily at left tackle during a team camp last month and he was outstanding. And continuing the theme with the last two prospects, we think Booker T Washington is going to have an outstanding offensive line based on what we saw from them during the team camp season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["110742"],"_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":"NOAH offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='110742' first='Ezra' last='Ballinger'] is on the shortlist of offensive linemen that impressed us the most during our spring camp tour back in May and early June. When we got a chance to see NOAH at the Rejoice Christian camp, we knew we were going to be impressed with Ballinger after watching him last year and checking out some of his film. But getting a chance to see him in person, it really solidified that he was a prospect that should be on more radars. At the left tackle position, Ballinger was just mauling defensive linemen and when he got locked on to a defender, that defender was going to go where Ballinger wanted him to go. He did a good job of getting to the next level and showcasing his athleticism to take care of smaller but quicker defenders. Ballinger has also seen his recruitment start to take off, which isn't surprising considering the improvement he's shown.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["376564"],"_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":"And our final prospect on this breakdown is another D1 commit as Collinsville big man [player_tooltip player_id='376564' first='Colten' last='Christian'] committed to Tulsa earlier this month. Christian had a really strong junior season for the Cardinals and then he really got on our radar when we got a chance to see him up close during our January prospect camp. Christian was the best of the best of an offensive line group that was pretty talented and the depth was certainly there. Christian walked away with the MVP award for the position group and he's continued his strong offseason from there. He's a powerful lineman that can absolutely bully opponents from the point of attack. At this point, we think he might be more of an interior lineman at the next level but he certainly has the ability to be moved around and play multiple positions. He has size, athleticism and his hand placement is always on point.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649c65ae568d7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->