West Liberty University TNL Camp Standouts: (OL/DL)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a hazy and humid evening at the West Liberty University Thursday Night Lights Camp but that didn't stop over 75 WV and surrounding area athletes from competing. There was plenty of talent on hand and some really impressive athletes and performances. Here were some of the top offensive and defensive line talent I saw at camp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teddy Bauer - Marietta (OH) | 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had no idea Marietta (OH) offensive lineman Teddy Bauer was only a 2026 prospect until writing this article and boy does he have a bright future. He's listed at 6'2 260 but I thought he was bigger than that and was the most impressive offensive lineman I saw at camp. Bauer is built well for only a rising sophomore and he went toe-to-toe with some very good and older defensive linemen. I thought he was the only offensive lineman to compete with my DL Camp MVP Javin Harper who you will learn about in a bit. Bauer was very physical and competed very hard and I liked the way he went about himself. You could tell he was putting in a lot of effort and striving to get better and it paid off. It's probably too early for a D2 school to offer a 2026 prospect but if he wasn't on West Liberty's radar before he should be now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='884184' first='Shane' last='Bates'] - Tyler Consolidated | 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler Consolidated's [player_tooltip player_id='884184' first='Shane' last='Bates'] has quickly become one of my favorite offensive linemen and overall prospects this summer during camp season and he was doing his thing yet again at West Liberty. The only thing keeping him from getting bigger offers is his size but man can Bates play. He does as good of a job of keeping guys in front of him as I've seen this year and I really haven't seen him lose very many reps in 1-on1s during the three camps I've seen him. Bates is a strong athlete and can handle bigger defensive linemen than him. His leverage is just too good for most defensive linemen and he has quick enough feet to stay with them. His talent is almost too good for a D2 school not to take a chance on him but if they don't a D3 school is going to get a steal and a great player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1022659' first='Ryan' last='Principe'] - Morgantown | 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another offensive lineman that I've gotten to see a couple of times and who always impresses me is Morgantown's, [player_tooltip player_id='1022659' first='Ryan' last='Principe']. Principe doesn't have much film on his HUDL so I wasn't very familiar with him until this summer but I really like what he has to offer. Principe is a big boy and sometimes his feet can get him in trouble but when they don't he's very tough to get around. He holds his ground very well and is a strong athlete. He was one of my top performers before at the GCOH Performance Exposure Camp in early June and is once again a top performer at this camp. I assume he's going to be a starter on the Mohigans' line this season and will be well-coached in the blocking game with their Wing-T/Gun-T offense. If he doesn't get any D2 offers he will be another steal for any D3 school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='884182' first='Victor' last='McElwee'] - John Marshall | 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I already knew 2024 John Marshall offensive lineman James "Victor" McElwee before camp but this was my first time seeing him in person. He came into camp already holding an offer from D2 Alderson Broaddus (WV) and I could see why they're interested in him. McElwee was one of the top offensive linemen at camp that stood out physically and was one of the first names I wrote down. He's in the 6'2 250 range and has the frame to add some more weight. I'm not sure if the Hilltoppers will follow suit with an offer but I think he's worthy of taking a chance on. I think he could even slide over to the defensive side of the ball and play DL too at the next level. McElwee is a name you should follow this season on a loaded John Marshall offensive line unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other notable offensive linemen:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Heady - Meadowbrook (OH) | 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good feet and well built for a rising junior. Upside and future potential. Can play OL or DL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reagan Newsome - Vinton County (OH) | 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good run blocker. Quick in space and good feet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Line: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Javin Harper - Steubenville (OH) | 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steubenville's Javin Harper had one of the best overall camp performances I've seen this year at West Liberty's TNL Camp. The 2024 defensive lineman was absolutely dominant and just plain unblockable. Harper is a really strong athlete and I thought he moved well for his size too. He's around 6'2 280 but looked even bigger than that and quickly got my and a college coach's attention when we saw him walking around before camp started. Harper is a first-off-the-bus-looking athlete and he backed that up with his play. I don't think I saw him lose a single rep in 1-on-1s against a few solid offensive linemen at camp. Harper goes full speed and attacks as soon as the ball is snapped and until the whistle blows. He earned one of the camp MVP awards and most importantly his first D2 offer from the Hilltoppers. There's no doubt he will earn more this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891128' first='Tristen' last='Tuttle'] - Tyler Consolidated | 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've gotten to see 2024 Tyler Consolidated defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='891128' first='Tristen' last='Tuttle'] several times this camp season and he's always impressive. Tuttle is a legit 6'3-6'4 and pushing 240 pounds and moves well for his size. He's another tough block for offensive linemen and usually wins his reps easily. He was my second leading 1-on-1 rep winner and one of the top two defensive line prospects there. After seeing him multiple times in person, I expect him to pick up several D2 offers this season if he hasn't already. Tuttle plays small school WV ball but is certainly worthy of keeping tabs on this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->