Midwest Tall Boys: XL Prospects Around America’s Heartland

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being complex and nuanced, football can be boiled down to a few simple certainties: biggest, fastest, strongest. Yes, of course, there are outliers, but when you look around at a P5 or NFL football field, the players you're gazing at are generally hitting all three of those qualities mentioned above. In the college football recruiting world, big bodies are always at a premium, especially at the OL and TE positions, and nowhere in the United States churns out bigger and badder XL prospects than the Midwest. With the 2025 class almost entirely in the recruiting spotlight right now, <em>PrepRedzone </em>figured it was the perfect time to pump out a special Midwest feature, and why not focus on one of the pillars of the football world and name some of the largest and most monstrous prospects America's Heartland has to offer. We have some legit giants highlighted today, with no prospect shorter than 6'7 and behemoths ranging from as far south as Missouri and Kansas up to MN, WI, and North Dakota for some real Upper Midwest beef. Get to know these Midwest Tall Boys below! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">Uncommitted 2024s</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Braylin Wells ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'8\u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"215","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2407","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Pickerington Central ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A lean, long 6'8, 215 with a hoops background out of the ultra-talented Pickerington in central Ohio? That's quite an eye-catcher! \u003cem\u003ePickerington Central's\u003c/em\u003e TE/WR \u003cstrong\u003eBraylin Wells\u003c/strong\u003e is all-in on basketball right now, but that hasn't stopped the football offers from rolling in, as \u003cstrong\u003eWells\u003c/strong\u003e has recently seen himself level up to a FBS-offered prospect after Toledo reached out with a scholarship on December 11th. The senior, who reports a 38\u0022 vert as well, also holds offers from Mount St. Joseph, Thomas More, Olivet University, Westminster, Ohio Wesleyan, and Otterbein. Most of those offers entered the picture during his senior football season during the fall, so although there's a chance \u003cstrong\u003eWells\u003c/strong\u003e is considering playing basketball in college, I think there's momentum on the football side of his football recruitment, and of course, there's always the chance he could do both at the next level.\r\n\r\nThe frame is about as exciting as it gets potential-wise, as \u003cstrong\u003eWells\u003c/strong\u003e is a very lean 210-215ish and has so much room to fill into his excellent frame and notable wingspan. Plus, he's fast, agile, and smooth, and does some impressive things in both the run and pass game. A redzone threat that runs routes like a WR, can drop his hips and get out of his breaks pretty well for his height, and catch the ball away from his body, \u003cstrong\u003eWells\u003c/strong\u003e uses those long legs and good balance to step out of tackle attempts and make people miss after the catch. He lines up as a traditional inline TE and can flex out to the slot or the perimeter as a WR, and the blocking game is notable as well. The 215 lber. can block and take on defensive ends 1-on-1 thanks to his length and physicality and loves a big hit, so you better keep your head on a swivel around this dude. Tons of upside in the Ohio product overall. Toledo made a really good move getting in there recently, I could see him blowing up and thriving at a MAC school.","_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":"Octavio Zapata ","_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":"6'7\u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"St. Charles ","_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":"An uncommitted and enormous Show-Me State product, \u003cem\u003eSt. Charles High School's\u003c/em\u003e 6'7, 300 lber. \u003cstrong\u003eOctavio Zapata\u003c/strong\u003e recently earned his first offer from Missouri Baptist at the end of January, so pretty late for an offensive lineman of his stature. Played both ways in 2023 and shows a bit of bend in his frame for a OT/DT of his size, as well experience in pass pro and some lateral balance and ability on both sides of the ball. Also does a good job of not tying up with OL when manning the 3T spot and can overpower opponents at the point of contact. Not a ton of senior film, and with his age/size combo, I think his best football could be in front of him if a collegiate S\u0026amp;C coordinator gets his hands on him.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c52d050a93d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">2025s</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899505"],"_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":"A towering 6'9, 300 lb. Tall Boy out of \u003cem\u003eEast Grand Rapids High School\u003c/em\u003e in Michigan, \u003cstrong\u003eWill Kowalewski\u003c/strong\u003e mans the classic tall guy positions of OT on the gridiron and Center on the hardwood, and he does both well I must add. No offers yet for the big man, but teams are definitely interested, as \u003cstrong\u003eKowalewski\u003c/strong\u003e has visited Indiana and Central Michigan and has heard from UPenn as well. Additionally, some big-time FBS coaches follow the young man on Twitter, including a ton of coaches from the MAC, some of Indiana's coaching and recruiting staff, and a significant amount of FCS coaches as well.\r\n\r\nThe massive LT overwhelms DL at the contact point and runs his feet like he's practicing against a blocking sled, and he's a crushing run blocker who does a good job of utilizing hand placement and fights to stay engaged once he gets hands-on. Of course, a kid of that size can do some damage in the run game, and \u003cstrong\u003eKowalewski\u003c/strong\u003e also looks particularly massive when he pulls and fully extends those long arms and legs, and he shows some solid COD skills when pulling as well. For an OT of his size, he can break down and wash out defenders at the second level as well as successfully execute combo blocks, and I noticed he's got some bend in his stance and shows a bit of flexibility for a long, lean, 6'9, 300 lber. still growing into his frame. I'd like to see him work on his pad level once the ball is snapped and into contact, but  \u003cstrong\u003eKowalewski\u003c/strong\u003e is still mobile and has a lot of time to continue to develop his frame. That first offer is coming soon!","_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":"Luca Siamashvili","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025 ","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'7\u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"315","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Stevenson ","_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":"Our Illinois representative on this list of Midwest Tall Boys, RT/DT \u003cstrong\u003eLuca Siamashvili \u003c/strong\u003ecomes out of Lincolnshire, Illinois and the prestigious \u003cem\u003eStevenson High School\u003c/em\u003e, where he put his gigantic 6'7, 315 lb. to good use on the gridiron. Another unoffered Tall Boy on this XL list of prospects, \u003cstrong\u003eSiamashvili \u003c/strong\u003ehas recently earned a junior day invite from the back-to-back FCS champs South Dakota State and has been putting in work in the weight room since his junior year ended with the \u003cem\u003ePatriots\u003c/em\u003e. The junior just posted a 405 lb. bench press and is already owning upwards of a 500 pound squat to boot. Limited reps from 2023, but in the game film that is available on Hudl, \u003cstrong\u003eSiamashvili\u003c/strong\u003e primarily plays as a NG, where he can hold a gap and shed double teams in the middle of the LOS as a defensive lineman and shows a decent get-off as well. On both sides of the ball you can see he's got a motor on him, and when lined up as a RT he uses that hulking size to send smaller defenders flying. With the lack of film, I'm assuming \u003cstrong\u003eSiamashvili\u003c/strong\u003e is still growing into his body and getting comfortable and more functionally athletic, but the size and strength are there and with big boys like this there's simply more upside than in your typical OL prospect. Going to be a big offseason and senior year for the \u003cem\u003eStevenson\u003c/em\u003e product.","_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":"Caleb Haack ","_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":"6'8\u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"205","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Iowa Valley ","_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":"How could a 6'8 WR not get your attention? Think about the potential red zone usages, matchup nightmares, and 50/50 balls you can win with a pass-catcher of that size. Well, \u003cem\u003eIowa Valley High School\u003c/em\u003e 6'8, 200-poundish WR \u003cstrong\u003eCaleb Haack\u003c/strong\u003e is here for the taking, and to sweeten the pot, the 6'8 forward also runs with the decorated Iowa Barnstormers AAU club and reports nearly a 40\u0022 vertical. I can't imagine any DB being able to handle a 6'8 wideout with a 40\u0022 vert, and \u003cstrong\u003eHaack's \u003c/strong\u003ebeen making noise on the recruiting trail as well, as he visited Iowa State and Minnesota this spring for unofficial gameday visits. To keep the good times going in his all-important junior year, \u003cstrong\u003eHaack\u003c/strong\u003e also recently surpassed 1,000 points on the hardwood with a lot of high school basketball left in front of him.\r\n\r\nBack to football, though! After the 2023 football regular season and the first round of playoffs concluded, \u003cstrong\u003eHaack\u003c/strong\u003e found himself sitting at 27 receptions for 582 yards and 6 TDs, and man, there are some exciting things going for him in his junior tape. To sum it up concisely, throw the ball up and let the big boy go get it! Haack tracks the ball well, displays solid good speed and noticeable acceleration off the LOS, and uses his sheer size and length to box out DBs and make catches through tight coverage look very simple. \u003cstrong\u003eHaack\u003c/strong\u003e sports the big catch radius, soft hands, and 50/50 ability you'd want and hope for with a pass-catcher of his stature, and he's also tough enough to finish receptions through contact and big hits and can slip and step through tackle attempts after the catch. You can tell DBs are nervous and weary when attempting to guard him 1-on-1, and it doesn't look like anyone tried to press him, which allowed him to take advantage of off-man coverage and larger cushions CBs and safeties are giving him. In those big cushions, Haack does a good job of creating separation as a route runner, and I like how he gets DBs to open the gate at the top of the route and blows by them for some solid misdirection as a route runner. This is pretty exciting given the fact that what most people would expect from a WR of his size is only contested catch ability, so the fact that there's a lot more nuance to his game skyrockets his potential and upside at the next. You won't find a bigger WR than Haack, and this dude has game too! Someone get at him.\r\n\r\n\u0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Tyler Meadows ","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025 ","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'8\u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_weight":"325","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Lakota East ","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"I stumbled across the colossal 6'8, 325 lb. \u003cem\u003eLakota East \u003c/em\u003elineman \u003cstrong\u003eTyler Meadows\u003c/strong\u003e while scrounging for film on one of his teammates, fellow 6'8er \u003cstrong\u003eIbrahim Kebe\u003c/strong\u003e, a 230 lb. 5/4 on the \u003cem\u003eLakota East\u003c/em\u003e basketball team who reports that he plays football in his Twitter bio, but I was unable to find any film of \u003cstrong\u003eKebe\u003c/strong\u003e despite some extensive searching. No worries though, \u003cstrong\u003eKebe\u003c/strong\u003e seems more interested in basketball, but if anyone wants a take a flyer out on a 6'8, 230 lb. TE/DE like \u003cstrong\u003eKebe\u003c/strong\u003e I just wanted to put his name out there. Back to \u003cstrong\u003eTyler Meadows\u003c/strong\u003e, though!\r\n\r\nThe Lakota school system always seems to be stacked to the brim with talented football prospects, as is the rest of Ohio, and you can add \u003cstrong\u003eMeadows\u003c/strong\u003e to the list of high-end recruits out of the district. As a RT, the 6'8, 325 lber. is a crushing finisher who understands how to take advantage of an opponent when he gets them overextended or out of position, and he's got some visible pop at the point of contact as well. Additionally, \u003cstrong\u003eMeadows\u003c/strong\u003e is  able to work to the second level effectively and displays some experience in pass pro. His Twitter is pretty dry, but a giant OT with physicality who is experienced against good competition doesn't grow on trees, so I'd get this dude on your Big Board ASAP.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Dylan Congdon","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025 ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'8\u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_weight":"305","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Tuscarawas Valley","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"We're sticking with the Buckeye State for a couple more Midwest Tall Boys, and this time we're heading to the tiny town of Zoar, near the northeast part of the state and home to \u003cem\u003eTuscarawas Valley High School's\u003c/em\u003e gargantuan 6'8, 305 lb. OT \u003cstrong\u003eDylan\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCongdon\u003c/strong\u003e. A First Team All-District, Second Team All-Conference, and All-Ohio Honorable Mention OT in 2023, Congdon is fresh off a recent visit to Eastern Michigan out of the MAC and is also a prolific heavyweight wrestler for \u003cem\u003eTuscarawas\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eValley\u003c/em\u003e who was ranked 6th in his class in mid-January and is still climbing those rankings as we speak. \u003cstrong\u003eCongdon\u003c/strong\u003e also visited Rutgers, Eastern Michigan, West Virginia, Ohio, Walsh University, and Toledo this fall on unofficial gameday invites, and potential college suitors, as well as us at \u003cem\u003ePrepRedzone\u003c/em\u003e, have to love his size and wrestling background, not to mention his skillset itself.\r\n\r\nAble to play both LT and RT, \u003cstrong\u003eCongdon\u003c/strong\u003e is long, lean 305 lbs. that would benefit fantastically in a collegiate strength and conditioning program but shows solid pad level for 6'8 and noticeable pop at the contact point that visibly rattles and whiplashes DEs, DTs, and LBs alike. The junior tape shows plenty of pancake blocks, in large part due to how \u003cstrong\u003eCongdon\u003c/strong\u003e tramples and folds defenders in run support while completely enveloping opponents in the run game at both the second and first level of the defense. He can finish DL off only a step or two of momentum thanks to his strength and leverage advantage and I like his understanding of how to finish, get up and underneath defensive linemen, and the pure power he brings to the run game. Looks coordinated and intentional with his movements and is aggressive when he smells a mistake, mismatch, or chance to beat someone up. Additionally, the Tall Boy demonstrates active feet, balance, \u0026amp; patience, \u0026amp; can handle speed and power rushers in pass pro. He could benefit from some more technical consistency but the tools are all there to be dominant in pass protection as well. Of the unoffered 2025 OTs on this physically massive list, \u003cstrong\u003eCongdon\u003c/strong\u003e is near the top for closest to that first FBS offer.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Matthew Palmer ","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2025 ","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"6'8\u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_weight":"340","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Winton Woods ","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"The Olympic sized swimming pool of talent that is \u003cem\u003eWinton Woods High School\u003c/em\u003e in Cincinnati have jumbo XL offensive tackle on the outside of their LOS in 6'8, 340 lb. junior \u003cstrong\u003eMatthew Palmer\u003c/strong\u003e. Another unoffered Midwest Tall Boy ripe for the picking, \u003cstrong\u003ePalmer \u003c/strong\u003eprimarily plays out of the RT spot, and is an eye-poppingly hulkish presence on the offensive line who towers over opponents in his junior film. \u003cstrong\u003ePalmer \u003c/strong\u003ebullies people, and I mean really bully. Like, grab you with one hand and ragdoll you around in the air and against the lockers bully. Don't tie up with this dude. However, he does play very high, and seems to be trying to merely catch opponents at some points. On the other hand, he looks comfortable and reactive in his pass set, can bounce smaller opponents off the turf when he locks his arms out , and does have a couple of reps of him working to the second level and out in space. Cutting down 20ish pounds would be a big benefit, so we'll see how this offseason treats the young man. Something's growing these dudes big down in Ohio.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["383704"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"The best player on this list of massive human beings suiting up to play the world's greatest game, \u003cem\u003eCatholic Memorial's\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eOwen\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStrebig\u003c/strong\u003e committed to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as I was finishing up this \u003cem\u003ePrepRedzone\u003c/em\u003e Midwest feature. A literally massive commitment for Marcus Freeman \u0026amp; Co., \u003cstrong\u003eStrebig\u003c/strong\u003e is everything you could want and all the best things of a 6'8, 295 lb. OT, and he was sought after by more than 25 P5 and FBS programs from all around the country. His final four came down to ND, Wisconsin, Florida State, USC, and Miami, and for those recruiting fans who haven't noticed, \u003cem\u003eCatholic\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eMemorial\u003c/em\u003e in Waukesha has been pumping out some serious talent as of late. With obvious and eye-catching NFL upside, \u003cstrong\u003eStrebig \u003c/strong\u003ewears his 295 well as an overwhelmingly large left tackle, and is technically sound, freaky athletic, and possesses functional mobility at his size that is very rare.\r\n\r\nThe big difference from \u003cstrong\u003eStrebig\u003c/strong\u003e to other OTs is that his change of direction ability, including being able to start/stop, sprint, run \u0026amp; break down and adjust to defenders in space, all while going at top speed and generating a terrifying amount of force at 6'8, 295. \u003cstrong\u003eStrebig \u003c/strong\u003eis particularly smooth and fluid when zone blocking up to LBs, and does a great job of chopping his feet, and playing and moving with a noticeably wide base and balance. His body control is elite for his size On top of it all, he possesses an great pass set, can reach and seal out on the edge, and has great reps of him lead blocking out in space for his RBs. Doesn't get much better than this at the high school level, folks. Go Irish!","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["945923"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"I've been saving the adjective \u0022mammoth\u0022 for the likes of only a couple of these Midwest Tall Boys, the first of which being Elk River, Minnesota's 6'10, 300 lb. mammoth OT \u003cstrong\u003eCooper Mansfield.\u003c/strong\u003e I just saw this dude live and in person during December's \u003cem\u003ePrepRedzoneMN\u003c/em\u003e Showcase, and I can verify his size from our measurements and scales. \u003cstrong\u003eMansfield\u003c/strong\u003e is so tall that you can't help but stare at his sheer size, and seeing how he's coming out of the 2022 5A state champion Elk River Elks, it's fair to say a lot is going for him on the gridiron. We're not the only ones to think so either, as MAC competitor Ohio became \u003cstrong\u003eMansfield's\u003c/strong\u003e first offer a week ago in exciting fashion. He also visited Northern Illinois and St. Thomas in what was a busy January for the junior.\r\n\r\nPlaying in a run-heavy Power-T offensive attack that the state of Minnesota does very well, \u003cstrong\u003eMansfield\u003c/strong\u003e isn't well-versed in pass pro, but he makes up for it by having to play very low and with a ton of necessary bend, otherwise, you won't see the field. Pad level is a must for the \u003cem\u003eElks\u003c/em\u003e offense, and \u003cstrong\u003eMansfield\u003c/strong\u003e won the low-man battle a ton in his junior film from 2023. He can play on either side of the LOS and looks skinny on tape, plus was lean in person as well. The frame is a massive ball of clay for a D1 nutrition program and S\u0026amp;C coach, and to top it off he displays good balance, solid strength, and the effective ability to shoot his hips into contact. \u003cstrong\u003eMansfield\u003c/strong\u003e has a great get-off and runs his feet once he gets engaged and comes out of his stance with enough power to run DL backward and sometimes spin them around in confusion like a dreidel. Good overall body control on a top 1% OT height/frame-wise. The words \u0022big ball of clay\u0022 once again come to mind as I leave you on this evaluation.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["285568"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"The first of a few Kansas-born-and-bred Tall Boys to make this heavyweight \u003cem\u003ePrepRedzone\u003c/em\u003e Midwest feature, \u003cem\u003eWashburn\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eRural's\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eJacob Hawks\u003c/strong\u003e can put a hurtin' on an all-you-can-eat buffet and measures in at a whopping 6'8, 315 lbs. as a high-profile 2025 OT. Washburn Rural is a high-quality Sunshine State program, and not many states embody the term \u0022corn-fed\u0022 offensive linemen like the Great State of Kansas. The hulking \u003cstrong\u003eHawks \u003c/strong\u003ehelped the Junior Blue to an 11-1 2023 record, and college programs have taken notice of his exploits, with Nebraska visiting him at school and extending a camp invite, Wyoming and Kansas State coming to Topeka to see \u003cstrong\u003eHawks\u003c/strong\u003e in person, and Columbia and NDSU firmly in touch as well. The 6'8 behemoth also visited Nebraska on an unofficial gameday this fall.\r\n\r\nI could see \u003cstrong\u003eHawks \u003c/strong\u003ebeing a big name in the summer camp circuit, as the LT looks good before the snap and displays good bend and flexibility in his stance, and he's a crushing puller who also looks good when finding work and comboing up to the second level. \u003cstrong\u003eHawks\u003c/strong\u003e thrives in the physical aspects of the sport and owns strong hands and a powerful punch that sent some blitzers and would-be defenders flying when he popped them last fall. I also like how he drives his feet once he's engaged with an opponent and works to finish, and although he's experienced in pass pro, he could clean up some technical aspects of his pass set, and he's overall much more comfortable moving forwards and in run support. Overall though, for his elite size, the Kansas native does demonstrate notable change of direction skills and body control at his size, as well as some functional mobility around the LOS and in space. Good athlete at 6'8, 315 with his best football in front of him Keep your recruiting eyes and ears out for this one.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"Tommy Ahneman ","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2025 ","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"6'10\u0022","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_9_player_details_weight":"235","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"West Fargo Sheyenne ","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"Howard Pulley EYBL ","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_9_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"A mammoth and mountainous 6'10, 230 lb. offensive and defensive lineman out of the Great White North, \u003cem\u003eWest Fargo\u003c/em\u003e Sheyenne's multi-sport standout \u003cstrong\u003eTommy Ahneman\u003c/strong\u003e is the best basketball player on this list and is ranked as the #2 overall 2025 basketball prospect in North Dakota by \u003cem\u003ePrep Hoops\u003c/em\u003e. You can imagine the kind of coordination, balance, and light feet a high-caliber PF/C can possess, just asked the esteemed Howard Pulley EYBL AAU coaches if you're not sure, but \u003cstrong\u003eAhneman\u003c/strong\u003e seems totally open to play football at the next level and visited North Dakota State for an unofficial gameday visit this fall and a Minnesota Gopher junior day visit to Minneapolis late last month. In-between, he earned a D1 basketball offer from Portland, so we now have evidence that he's a legitimate D1 multi-sport athlete with elite and overpoweringly massive size.\r\n\r\nAn enormous RT who is a skinny 6'10\u0022 with an absurd amount of room to fill in, \u003cstrong\u003eAhneman\u003c/strong\u003e is aggressive at the point of attack, can stun opponents with his initial punch, and is fluid and controlled in space and can adjust to and track down second and third level defenders. Overall, he's very raw, but it's obvious he's a great athlete and has some very intriguing tools to work with, most notably the elephantine length in his arms, balance, lateral agility, and and overall body control. One of the biggest balls of clay in the Midwest and our crop of massive \u0026amp; talented XL Tall Boys.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c66bcc09a83"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">2026s </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1114738"],"_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":"We're sticking with the Sunshine State for our next couple of Midwest Tall Boys, specifically down to the northeast corner of the state and the city of Lawrence, home to the Kansas Jayhawks and \u003cem\u003eLawrence Free State High School.\u003c/em\u003e The \u003cem\u003eFirebirds \u003c/em\u003eare home to an absurdly large duo of 2026 OTs, the first of which being \u003cstrong\u003eJack Fuchs\u003c/strong\u003e, a 6'8, 280 lb. XL Tall Boy already making waves so big on the recruiting trail that you'd think \u003cstrong\u003eFuchs\u003c/strong\u003e had jumped off the high dive. Once the new year rolled around, Fuchs saw his recruitment begin to blow up, as North Dakota State became his first offer on January 6th and was followed by Kansas State on the 17th and KU a day after. Great to see the in-state P5s pull the trigger early, especially with how well the Wildcats and Jayhawks have been recruiting on the trail and performing on the field as of late.\r\n\r\nThe sophomore opens his highlights with reps of him lined up as a wing, where he looked and put a hurtin' on opponents like a fullback. His 280 pounds are long and very lean and will be able to hold significantly more mass and can produce noticeable amounts of of pop at the contact point and lay some big hits off a full head of steam. To be that big and primarily playing HB is very impressive, to say the least, and he can also man the RT spot, where he's a strong and powerful run blocker who tramples over defenders like a loose bull at a rodeo and excels in the physical aspects of trench warfare. \u003cstrong\u003eFuchs\u003c/strong\u003e is a hard-nosed kid with outstanding body control and balance who is laterally explosive out of his stance and is a very coordinated, physical, and effective puller who looks fluid when changing direction and blocking in space and 1-on-1 situations. I also like his anchor in pass pro and he does a good job of mirroring and not overcommitting to a pass rusher. Obvious P5 talent with a top-tier frame, and I can't say I've seen a kid of his size play halfback/wing very often. I'm not going to forget that anytime soon.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1114737"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"With the class of 2025 firmly in the recruiting spotlight, you have to be a stud to be grabbing offers this early as a sophomore. Lucky for\u003cem\u003e Lawrence Free State High School\u003c/em\u003e in the Great State of Kansas, they have two studs manning their OT positions, both of which are in the class of 2026 and are already certified P5 talents with scholarship offers from big-time Midwest programs in the Big12 and/or B1G. The second king-sized half of the \u003cem\u003eFirebirds\u003c/em\u003e dynamic duo of Tall Boys is \u003cstrong\u003eBraden Wilmes\u003c/strong\u003e, who clocks in at a titanic 6'8, 275 pounds and already holds offers from Kansas State, Kansas, and Minnesota, all of which have rolled in since January 17th. In that time frame, \u003cstrong\u003eWilmes\u003c/strong\u003e has also visited Nebraska and Kansas for junior day unofficials as well.\r\n\r\nJust like his fellow 2026 \u003cem\u003eFree State\u003c/em\u003e OT, \u003cstrong\u003eWilmes\u003c/strong\u003e has absurd upside, both in his frame and in his skillset, and the LT is a bull at the point of attack who fights to stay engaged and can overpower and dominate in the run game. With noticeably long arms and holding a slimmer 270ish pounds that could explode in a college lifting program, \u003cstrong\u003eWilmes\u003c/strong\u003e' mobility is as eye-catching as his brute strength, as the sophomore is an effective and coordinated puller who is comfortable wrapping around the LOS, getting out of his stance quickly, and finding work in space and 1-on-1 situations. I'm also impressed watching him work laterally, especially off the snap, where he can cover a good amount of ground while staying agile and active. \u003cstrong\u003eWilmes\u003c/strong\u003e also plays with a consistent and balanced base and anchor, and he's also patient and smooth in his pass set and comfortable in pass pro. The overall combination of size, length, flexibility, physicality, and body control are top-notch and he's going to be deep into double-digit offers by the time his recruitment is finished. Holy cow is \u003cem\u003eLawrence Free State \u003c/em\u003eloaded in their 2026 class.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["224637"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"I wanted to try and wrap things up with another skill player in this \u003cem\u003ePrepRedzone\u003c/em\u003e Midwest special, and where else would we go to find a 6'7, 230 lb. sophomore than Ohio? Representing \u003cem\u003eMinster High School\u003c/em\u003e on both the gridiron and hardwood, 2026 Tall Boy \u003cstrong\u003eCole Albers \u003c/strong\u003eis quite the multi-sport athlete and a heckuva combination of youth, size, and athleticism coming out of one of the most fertile recruiting grounds in America. You have to be the cream of the crop to earn FBS offers as an underclassman, much more so as a freshman, and \u003cstrong\u003eAlbers\u003c/strong\u003e was already reeling in FBS offers before his sophomore year of high school got underway. Ball State became offer #1 in May of 2023, Miami of Ohio followed a couple of months later in July after a visit to Oxford, and Toledo became his newest offer at the end of January 2024. Plus, Michigan State, Marshall, Bowling Green State (basketball), and Miami (OH) all got unofficial visits in between that time.\r\n\r\nThe basketball background lends itself well to his gridiron prowess, where the XL TE displays good hands and body/field awareness and is a big-time red zone threat that can easily win 50/50 balls while looking athletic as he high-points the football over a helpless DB. In a day and age where prep TEs more regularly act as jumbo WRs, \u003cstrong\u003eAlbers\u003c/strong\u003e is a throwback, balanced, traditional in-line TE who loves and excels in the run-blocking part of the position. The 6'7, 230 lber. is lean and owns eye-catching length, and he uses it as a hard-nosed, motivated blocker who can dominate 1-on-1 situations and is consistently technically sound, especially with his hand placement and pad level. That doesn't mean he can't contribute to the passing game though, as \u003cstrong\u003eAlbers\u003c/strong\u003e is capable of flexing out as a WR, where he can break off his routes well for a big target and shows soft hands that can catch the ball away from his body. Lot of runway left in this recruitment and development, but the way \u003cstrong\u003eAlbers \u003c/strong\u003eis overall trending, he's got a lot to look forward to.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c66bcc09bed"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->