Games Won in the Trenches: Who Stood Out
Games are won and lost within the trenches, which often will go unnoticed by the casual fan. These five Iowa offensive linemen have proven to help carry their teams to dominating wins by opening up running lanes and providing protection…
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Continue ReadingGames are won and lost within the trenches, which often will go unnoticed by the casual fan. These five Iowa offensive linemen have proven to help carry their teams to dominating wins by opening up running lanes and providing protection for their quarterbacks. Strength, athleticism, and technique are paramount to win at the line of scrimmage, and these five have what it takes.
After diving into the offensive line film, these players stood out and earned the spotlight. Let’s dive into what makes these five Iowa offensive linemen special and why they’ll rise in the rankings this offseason.
Connor Best
Connor Best
Best has the size, strength, and athleticism to dominate the line of scrimmage. The way he gets out of his stance and pulls to the other side of the line is filled with explosiveness and tremendous movement skills. When Best gets rolling at full speed, it’s like getting blocked by a freight train. He’s a phenomenal run blocker who dominates defenders with strength and great hand technique. He out-leverages defenders, turning them away from the play and opening lanes for his playmakers to do what they do best. Best has a strong anchor in pass protection and has shown he can reposition his hands and use his footwork to stay with a defender’s pass rush. There’s plenty to like from his game, and he surely will have many eyes on him throughout his senior season.
Cael Murray
Cael Murray
Playing mainly as the center, Murray is very explosive and has a ton of athleticism to his game. He’s lighting-quick out of his stance, quickly getting his snap hand up and engaging with defenders. He also plays at the guard position, showing he’s able to kick out and pull from either spot. Murray plays with great leverage, proving to be able to use his strong base to leverage and re-anchor. He uses his hands to get into the defender’s chest and control the rep, using his upper body strength to turn defensive linemen inside and open up running lanes. Murray’s athleticism is on display when he’s asked to climb to the second level and take on linebackers, doing so effectively.
Bradyn Fahrendholz
Bradyn Fahrendholz
Last season, Fahrendholz played as a guard and center and was effective at both positions. As a center, he showed he’s a very good athlete who can get out in space and move. Fahrendholz took on bigger 1-techs with ease and would dominate reps. He was asked to get out in space on screen plays and deploy as a lead blocker. He was able to take on athletic linebackers in the open field and seal the second level for his playmakers. Fahrendholz is quick out of his stance and has a strong initial punch to disrupt the defender’s pass rush timing. Though he was mainly put at center, Fahrendholz’s skillset and athleticism easily translate to the guard position, making him a versatile player who can easily adapt to different scenarios.
Rayshawn Marshall
Rayshawn Marshall
Playing next to Fahrendholz at guard, Marshall is a big-bodied offensive lineman whose body type gives him natural leverage. He’s a very strong and powerful guard who carries that in his thick lower body to dominate reps at the line of scrimmage. Marshall was used as a pulling guard to get out in space and lead block, proving to be successful and efficient at the first two levels of the defense. He uses a powerful initial punch to push around interior defensive linemen and open running lanes for his ball carrier. Once Marshall gets his hands on defenders, he locks them up and uses his strength to drive them out of the play.
Grant Koehler
Grant Koehler
Even though Koehler isn’t the largest offensive lineman, he makes up for it by being a fierce competitor with a mentality that he will win every rep. Playing with proper lever, he has the strength to beat interior defensive linemen, opening inside rushing lanes and taking his man out of the play. Koehler gets his hands inside the lineman’s chest, using those vice grips to control the rep and drive him backward out of the play. He has phenomenal strength in his lower half and a great leg drive, putting his man in conflict and taking him out of the play. Koehler does a good job of keeping his lower and upper half working in sync, making each movement as effective and efficient as possible.