Breaking Down the Best Tape in Pennsylvania, Michael Carroll

Eval based on (2022, 2023) Highlight tapes, four in-game live occurrences.

Two-year starter, second season at LaSalle College HS, third year at Central Bucks East. Son of Penn-State player Mike Carroll. Played under former Explorer HC John Steinmetz, now under CB East HC John Donnelly. Measurement timetable as stated above, has grown exponentially over the years. Currently stands at a whopping 6’6.25, 305 pounds. Has recorded 11-inch hands(unverified). Two different tapes (2022 & 2023) showcase his abilities at several different alignments, inevitably working in Carroll’s favor. Second year at LaSalle saw Carroll fit into his current mold at guard, with the majority of reps having Carroll stationed as a ROG. That being said, 2022’s tape proves Carroll could succeed at right tackle in emergency situations, handling some St. Joseph’s Prep talent well. I recorded a left tackle rep on tape, as well as one single rep at IDL. As we progress to Carroll’s 2023 tape, we can witness Carroll primary as a LOG for Central Bucks East. CB East had no problem deploying Carroll as a 3-4 DE, an area he succeeded in because of necessity. Four/Five different alignments witnessed throughout a two-year span. Unsure about special teams alignment/contributions. Carroll still translates to interior OL play in the future, yet it’s good to know Carroll can succeed elsewhere at this level. I will not speak on Carroll’s injury history or grades, solely because I do not know them, nor should I. Offer list includes: Maryland, Boston College, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, Temple, South Carolina, Rutgers, Penn State, Missouri, Michigan State, Michigan, Miami (OH), Kentucky, Nebraska, Pitt, Arkansas, Minnesota, USC, Alabama, Georgia, Cincinnati. Competition level is high, developed, and played at 6A Pennsylvania programs. Sparred against the likes of Roman Catholic, St. Joseph’s Prep, and Malvern Prep’s alike.

Mentals – Tough for me as an outsider looking to truly know what kind of mental makeup Carroll carries. That being said, I’ve been in touch with the young man since he was 15, and am a bit familiar with his upbringing, as well as some of the HS environments he’s surrounded himself in. I’ve only heard good things about his leadership qualities. His confidence is through the roof, a must for OL to be successful at the next level. An incredibly polite young man who can clearly flip a switch on the turf, his tape is anything but smiles. Love to compete from what I hear, Carroll checks off many off-the-field mental boxes, especially when translating him to the collegiate level. Unsure of the exact reason for switching schools last off-season, that alone should highlight how he and the family handle adversity, never an easy thing to do. His tape shows he can excel on the field in terms of knowledge retention. Can adjust on the fly, has a clear understanding of run/pass concepts. OGs, as well as their responsibilities, vary between each program, even down as far as the HS level. Not every OG role is the same. Numerous HS, some collegiate, programs prefer having one beefy/powerful guard on one side of the football, with a more athletic OG opposing him on the other side of the center. At the top level of college football, this style of thinking has jumped the shark a bit. Both guards should be somewhat interchangeable, at least in terms of physical make-up. Both guards should be powerful, explosive, and aware of their surroundings at all times. Two guards that can provide girth, drive-blocking capabilities, and lower-body strength are necessary when solidifying the middle of the trenches. It’s equally important that prospects like Carroll can adjust in space during run plays and screen sets to attack defenders who are also on the go. Carroll embodies the ideal guard at the Power Five level. Speaking a bit further about Carroll’s mental make-up, it’s important that OL ENJOY football, I can’t actually know this without speaking to Carroll, but from the looks of the many pancakes left on tape, I’d imagine he’s enjoying every minute of being on the field. I’ve heard his training habits are bulletproof.

Rep Eval- Instinctive, phenomenal play recognition post-snap, in-game. Makes assignment hunting look easy. Has killer instinct, the type of flash of violence you want your lead run-blocker to have. Incredible explosion off the ball, witnessed displacing defenders off the ball. Witnessed countering rip moves with leverage, witnessed countering bull-rushes with ease thanks to his wide hips and build. Witnessed countering speed and power alike, is a great and natural leverager. Carroll’s next-level frame makes it easy for him to stay composed in terms of body control. There aren’t too many equals in terms of physique, so Carroll can keep his feet underneath his frame if the beginning of reps don’t go as planned. He shouldn’t be this fluid off the snap, his initial quickness of the ball is arguably the best I’ve seen from any PA OL prospect within the last five years. Small nitpick, not always a knee bender but certainly passes the bend test more times than not. Might be a bigger deal if we were projecting him to tackle. Carroll’s open-field vision, his ability to key and zero in on a moving target is second to none. His ability to break down at all levels of the field stands out on tape. A testament to his footwork.

Speaking a bit to the guard position specifically, Carroll is likely to be tasked with matching up with elite 3-techs both against the run and the pass. 3-techs at the next level are likely to be just as big and athletic, does Carroll show the skills to handle beef and power? I believe so, I bring up Carroll’s foot quickness and leverage skills again. Carroll has the lower body flexibility that should give him the upper hand in these situations. Tack on effort, balance, and powerful legs/thighs of his own, he should be able to keep up with SEC/BIG10 3-techs. Pulling if involved in counters, screens, or sweeps to the perimeter. Second-level blocking should be a breeze, I’d argue it’s where he’s most comfortable, rare to say that for any OL. Back to his abilities as a puller. Carroll displays the smooth balance necessary to get out of his stance and run through gaps like a back. Watching him work his hips, steer, and turn into a desired hole, he almost makes it look too easy. Is an unfair trapper. His pad level drop, while maintaining momentum is an actual scary sight to see on tape. He isn’t going to be obliterating kids and catching anyone off-guard at the next level, so I’d want to see more technique here. More inside hip leverage, more reps showcasing his ability to stay square on the frame. Carroll the run blocker, tough to really poke holes in this part of his game. His inside hand position is phenomenal, his back is flat more times than not, his hip-roll/leg-drive combination is what SEC run-blockers need to have.

So let’s recap, there isn’t anyone I’ve watched throughout my short career that run blocks better than Michael Carroll Michael Carroll 6'6" | 290 lbs | OL Central Bucks East | 2025 State FL . As a true future ROG/LOG, he’s in good favor.

What’s Carroll like as a guard in pass-pro sets? Obviously, if Carroll is going to play guard at the Big10/SEC level, his primary focus won’t be to be an elite pass-protector. That’s good, because there just isn’t much on highlight tapes to break down in terms of Carroll the OG pass-protecting. Makes sense, he wants to show off his paving abilities in the run game. I will say, however, Carroll does have occasional reps stationed at right and left tackle. Great reps, reps where Carroll doesn’t look too unnatural in terms of strike/recoil/anchoring. Why do I bring this up? Can Carroll serve as a potential emergency tackle at the next level? Maybe. Another question, can/should Carroll make the transition to RT/LT? I think he’s capable, but there’s a small problem. One, he’s likely going to need to be taught. Another problem, I’d make the case that Carroll the run-blocking OL is more valuable than Carroll the potential RT. In a world where tackles are infinitely more valuable than guards, I think Carroll is that special.

There is no tape that I hold in higher regard, speaking on Caarroll’s Junior tape. Carroll is likely to take the one spot on our next 2025 update. I’d make the case that Carroll is the best OL prospect since Warwick’s Nolan Rucci.