2024: Talented Players in the Trenches

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These four talented linemen make the plays that may go unnoticed by the fans, but they are essential to their team's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='681347' first='Jordan' last='Taula'] || DL || 6'1 || 235 || Davis High School || 2024</strong><br>Taula is a talented pass rusher. He can get passed offensive linemen in a bevy of ways. Taula possesses exceptional bend and an elite get-off. He does a great job gaining and maintaining leverage when taking on offensive tackles. Taula can win lining up on either side of the line and refuses to quit when chasing quarterbacks. He uses his hands well and defeats their initial punch well. Taula has a powerful dip and rip moves he unlashes on offensive tackles repeatedly. Taula is also an elite run defender who can set the edge and bring down ball carriers at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='707551' first='Austin' last='Hopoate'] || OL || 6'1 || 255 || Juab High School || 2024 </strong><br>Hopoate is a tremendous athlete. He excels at getting out in space and launching defensive backs out of the way. Hopoate takes great angles when looking to meet defenders in space and can break down if they try to slip past him. He does a good job working up to the second level with his teammates and does a good job coming off to collect linebackers. Hopoate slides his feet well in pass protection and keeps a good base to prevent defensive linemen from going through him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='875517' first='Damien' last='Nelson'] || OL || 6'7 || 295 ||| Grantsville High School </strong><br>Nelson strikes fear into opponents as soon as they see him warming up pregame. The hulking Nelson possesses powerful legs and upper body strength he uses to dominate the line of scrimmage. He crushes defensive linemen in the run game, where he can wash them down the line or kick them out to widen holes. Nelson is exceptional in pass protection, where his strong punch disorients defenders. He loves serving up pancakes and puts a plethora of them on film each Friday night. Nelson's long arms will continue to make getting past him challenging this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='718896' first='Tag' last='Gubler'] || OL || 6'1 || 265 || Snow Canyon High School || 2024 </strong>Gubler is a road grader in the run game. He explodes off the snap low with a quick first step, ready to rock defensive linemen. Gubler's leg drive is remarkable and led to him sitting plenty of defenders down in 2022. He often drives defenders five yards off the ball and excels at blocking down. Gubler is potent in pas protection and does a great job picking up blitzes. He can hold his ground against nose tackles and does a good job passing off twists. Snow Canyon is lucky to have a powerful people mover up front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->