Postseason Review: Offensive Linemen Vol. 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The postseason review will take a look at each position group and players that excelled to help push their team. Players included from the 2024 class that are uncommitted and returning juniors and sophomores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["760628"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='760628' first='Matthew' last='Gary'] brings unrivaled power to the center position that cleared out big defensive tackles all season long. Gary was impressive in his senior season on his way to second team All-Ohio in Division IV. In an offense that was creative with its skill position players, Gary was a constant presence for protecting the middle of the line or blowing defensive tackles off the line of scrimmage. His hard work this offseason in the Lineman Lab stood out in his film as a polished interior offensive lineman with form that will get him far at the college level. He is a flexible lineman with a good frame at 6-foot-3 and 290-pounds. A leverage specialist who can control defenders from his snap motion. Quick reflexes on handchecks with good force in his upper body to get his hands on pads dominate. His footwork was impressive throughout the season, seems second nature to him with all the work he has put in. Few players put in the work like Gary did this season to show his abilities. He has offers to Defiance and Otterbein with interest from a handful of other schools and is a player I could easily see playing on Saturdays.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16267014/6573f5dd0dc04c123878529cu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/16267014/6573f5dd0dc04c123878529cu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Javin Harper","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Steubenville","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Javin Harper's speed and power from the interior offensive line makes him an ideal college guard in the making. There's a lot to like about Harper's game as a guy with solid size at 6-foot-2 and 285-pounds who can move with good speed. As a pulling guard, he's a wrecking ball coming up the seam. There are few players that can stop him once he's in motion keeping his form tight with good balance to adjust to his target. Has powerful footwork to gain ground when locked into his block. Quick hips to help seal blocks, engages his strong footwork to start driving once he has the angle he wants on a defensive player. Good aggression when engaged in longer blocks to win the battle. Has the physical tools with good reach to excel at the college ranks. Quick first step to crash down on blocks, maintains low form at contact to upend defensive linemen that aren't prepared for him. Harper has offers from eight schools with his most recent schools being Otterbein, Clarion and Wheeling. He has his pick of a number programs with the ability to come in and be an impact player early in his career.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17039682/656b4d0b9a913b0b002be2eeu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/17039682/656b4d0b9a913b0b002be2eeu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1134416' first='Benjamin' last='Burgey']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Steubenville","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1134416' first='Benjamin' last='Burgey'] put together an impressive junior season on his way to Division IV All-State honorable mention. An interior offensive lineman with the quickness of a skill position player with good size made him a good weapon to have along the offensive line. Makes a solid base with a lot of power in his lower body to drive defensive linemen. His powerful lower body works especially well in pass protection. Shows good mobility to slide his body along the offensive line for blitz pickups. One of his best attributes is at first contact with a strong collision with his hands pushing through defenders. Controls defenders in tight spaces that helps to get bigger openings for his ball carriers. Can overwhelm linebackers when pulling through holes. Attacks at the second level with his speed prevent quicker defenders from dodging his block. Burgey offers a lot in a young player and has gained the attention of Penn, Mercyhurst and Limestone. With another offseason to improve as well as a full senior year to look forward to, Burgey could be a big riser in the 2025 class.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18681019/657093375b47fd093c1e6efcu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/18681019/657093375b47fd093c1e6efcu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["402351"],"_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":"In person or on film, [player_tooltip player_id='402351' first='Nathan' last='Zappitelli'] is an impressive lineman to see go to work. He has elite size at 6-foot-4 and 255-pounds. Earning second team All-Ohio as a sophomore in Division IV, he offers a high ceiling at the left tackle spot. Not only does he not look like a sophomore with his size, but he plays like an upperclassman on the field. College programs would be wise to get involved in his recruitment now because Zappitelli is a future Division I player. His advanced footwork allows him to halt speed rushers. His long reach and powerful arms are often too much for bull rush edges to handle. Showcases impressive lateral movement with his balance matched to provide a large pocket for his quarterback to operate from. Proper hand placement in pass pro. Good reach with his first step to come down on blocks to either side. Strength can overwhelm players, even ones who gain leverage under him. Has the right attitude to play the left tackle position with good aggression. Is a player that can control even the best defenders when he reaches full extension with his wingspan. Has received interest from Toledo, but should have coaches knocking down the door for his services with time to grow.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16686782/656391d03dec2b103c97caa4u0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/16686782/656391d03dec2b103c97caa4u003c/au003ernrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65830ef426630"} /-->