The best of the big men – Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week, I highlighted some of the smaller athletes who are factors on the gridiron. This time, I look at the opposite end of the spectrum. These are the guys who can block out the sun with their size. These guys are not just space eaters – these guys are great athletes and great high school football players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1120571"],"_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":"Okafor often overpowers defensive linemen. His strength is evident – especially when he finishes blocks by throwing helpless defenders to the ground. He can be a devastating run blocker with his size, but he gets off the ball quickly. He is athletic enough to pull across the formation from his left tackle position. What impressed me the most was his pass sets and ability to set and re-set when pass rushers get some separation. Okafor has a nice base when pass-blocking and has a good knee bend for an athlete his size. He plays both ways as a defensive tackle, relying on his quick first step and sheer power.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["551314"],"_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":"Montminy is the proto-typical interior run-stuffing defensive tackle. The Eskimos' big man swallows up double teams and still gets off blocks – or, more accurately – powers through the blocks to affect the running game. He is an inside linebacker's dream. Any run to his side of the line will almost certainly require a double team to move him off his spot – freeing up his linebackers to make plays. His strengths are his size and – well – his strength. Although he will not rack up the pass-rushing stats, Montminy routinely pushes guards and centers into the backfield to keep the quarterback from stepping up in the pocket.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1202046"],"_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":"The first thing that stood out for me watching Hayes was how well he moved his feet in the running game. He can overpower defenders with his size alone, but his active feet allow him to finish blocks more efficiently than relying only on his size and strength. Run blocking is his obvious strength, as he can simply engulf smaller defenders. He moves well at the second level and can make plays in the running game there as well. As a pass blocker, Hayes is effective but could lower his pad level so he doesn't have to rely so much on his power.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["758773"],"_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":"Campbell's first step out of his stance is quick, even for an athlete half his size. He comes out of his stance with explosion not always seen with athletes his size. Often, athletes his size don't have the straight-line explosion Campbell does, and they certainly don't have the pad level the Elks' junior has. When he squares up a defender, his initial punch moves guys backward. The leverage he gets makes him an even more devastating run blocker. All that being said – if he does get out of position – he still has the power to manhandle defenders with his size and strength.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1204079"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Speaking of low pad level for a big guy, Johnson is that guy, too. His wide base coming out of his stance naturally lowers his center. He has great hips and is able to put himself between himself and the hole after making contact with his man. His lateral movement is impressive—Johnson is not just a straight-ahead run blocker. His low base and lateral movement make him one of the better pass blockers of the big men I highlight in this story and the one that will follow.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f4e8f4dabf1"} /-->