Camp Stories: Linemen Have Their Day In Ottawa

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ottawa University hosted a Mega Camp on June 3. More than 125 teams competed and more than a dozen college coaches were in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The vast majority of participants represented the Class of 2024 and are headed into their senior seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Kansas attended the camp and focused on the Kansas Athletes who attended. Sunflower State athletes accounted for more than 60 of the total participants.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were multiple players who play along the interior line on defense, offense or both. Here is a look at five athletes who enjoy sacking quarterbacks or making pancake blocks from the Class of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kristopher Markos</strong>, OL, 6'10”, 340, Gardner-Edgerton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Markos is a mountain of a man and can just bowl over opposing defenders.  Just based on his size college coaches are going to get in line to recruit Markos. For as tall as he is, Markos keeps a low pad level and would need to against a squatty stronger defensive lineman. The Gardner-Edgerton prospect somewhere down the road could be a professional wrestler or stuntman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103601' first='Jonathon' last='Mason']</strong>, DT, 6'1”, 275, Ellinwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Big John” Mason never met a ball carrier he did not want to swallow up whole. The Ellinwood prospect made 72 tackles for the Eagles during his junior season. He has good speed for a defensive lineman and does not quit on plays. Mason can chase down players from the backside of the play when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zakary Kirkpatrick</strong>, DT, 6'4”, 280, St. Paul</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirkpatrick is a run-stopping physical defensive lineman. The St. Paul product eats up space and can take on and beat double teams. He can also get to the quarterback. College programs in Southeast Kansas will certainly have Kirkpatrick on their radars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1182658' first='Nolan' last='Norberto']</strong>, OL, 6'0”, 240, Leavenworth</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norberto is an interesting prospect. His size does not pop out at you right away, but he is tough as nails. He plays with a low center of gravity and low pad level. He has good hands and quick feet. He is built to play guard or center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alex MacHardie</strong>, C, 6'0”,270, Shawnee Heights</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McHardie is a physical center that directs the blocking assignments for Shawnee Heights. He is quick and gets to the second level of defenders. He plays low to the ground and takes care of the ball when he is snapping.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->