Rising Prospects 2024: 5 Underrated OL
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Arizona has produced quality offensive linemen over the years who played well at the next level. Here are 5 radar players who could carry on that tradition. Brady Bakke AZ #56 OL #8 HEIGHT 6'6" WEIGHT 290 POS OL CLASS…
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Continue ReadingArizona has produced quality offensive linemen over the years who played well at the next level. Here are 5 radar players who could carry on that tradition.
Brady Bakke Brady Bakke 6’6″ | 290 lbs | OL Centennial | 2024 State AZ is an offensive tackle out of Centennial High School with a mean streak at 6’6, 290 pounds. He is a good athlete for his size allowing him to be adjustable to different run schemes. Bakke has good technique on reach blocks getting his helmet in the right position. Taller players like Bakke usually have issues with pad level, but he finds a way to stay low helping to maintain leverage. His hand placement is consistent with a powerful inside punch that helps lead to pancakes in the run game. In pass protection, his athleticism shines with him being light on his feet. He has a natural kick step allowing him to handle speed rushers easily. Bakke has the potential to develop into a great player at the next level.
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Cole Tappin Cole Tappin 6’3″ | 265 lbs | OL Desert Mountain | 2024 State AZ is a versatile line who can line up at both guard positions and center. As the leader of the Desert Mountain Offensive line, he has a good understanding of the protection scheme and getting the line in the right position. Tappin is fit for a power scheme with his ability to pull and block in space. He is effective on screen plays where he can get in the open field and make massive blocks on defensive backs. While undersized at 260 pounds he has the play strength to hold up against bigger nose guards inside. He has good hand placement with his punch while staying low which allows him to win inside and drive defensive tackles into the second level. Pass Protection he shines being able to punch quickly with the timing to win leverage early in the rep. If the Desert Mountain offense can duplicate their performance from last season, Tappin at center will be a vital piece to the puzzle.
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Mateo Rodriguez Mateo Rodriguez 6’4″ | 285 lbs | OL Chandler | 2024 State AZ is starting to make noise as an offensive tackle prospect after a strong junior season at 6’4, 280 pounds. Rodriguez is a fluid mover who excels in pass protection. He has the feet to stay with edge rushers and adjust to counters after their initial rush. Also, he exhibits the ability to anchor against power rushers displaying his play strength. An area that sets him apart is his mental processing. He can pick up stunts and work with his interior players understanding not to get over-aggressive in pass protection. Rodriguez is no slouch in the run game either, with the lateral agility to perform reach blocks. His play strength allows him to move defenders using good hand placement creating holes for the running back. With the size and athleticism of Rodriguez expect to see him gain offers as the season progresses.
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Connor Cameron Connor Cameron 6’7″ | 280 lbs | OL Campo Verde | 2024 State AZ is a massive human at 6’7 280 pounds playing right tackle for Campo Verde. He is a player who loves to finish when he has leverage allowing him to drive players into the ground. Cameron has lateral moving skills where he can excel in zone run schemes from the tackle position. With reach blocks, he can seal off defenders using his athleticism to keep his technique sound when executing. The same goes with pass protection where Cameron displays sound technique. He is light on his feet with good athleticism to handle speed rushers. His big body allows him to anchor easily against power rushes. The athleticism is displayed in space as well when he can get up to the second level and create holes for his running back. Cameron is starting to get looks from Pac-12 country, and it should continue with a productive senior season.
Camden Jury Camden Jury 6’7″ | 315 lbs | OL Casteel | 2024 State AZ is a big man himself at 6’6, 305 pounds. The left tackle out of Casteel High School is a locomotive in space and gets up to the second level quickly. He helps create big plays on screens and other designed runs where he can be a lead blocker up the field. His play strength makes it easy for him to move defenders off the ball and create lanes on down blocks. Jury is a protector of the blind side using advanced techniques against edge rushers. One he executes with ease is the snatch and trap technique where he exhibits great timing with his hands to get defenders to the ground. He can anchor effectively as well building a house against the bullrush not allowing them to push the pocket. Jury’s film got him an offer from Utah State and made a verbal commitment to the program.