Twitter Film Study Pt. 5: Four Power Players in the Trenches
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This chapter of our ‘Twitter Film Study’ series casts a well-deserved spotlight on the titans of the gridiron: four linemen whose impact on the game is as profound as it is underappreciated. For these two offensive linemen and two defensive…
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Continue ReadingThis chapter of our ‘Twitter Film Study’ series casts a well-deserved spotlight on the titans of the gridiron: four linemen whose impact on the game is as profound as it is underappreciated. For these two offensive linemen and two defensive linemen, we not only celebrate their physical prowess and technical skills but also their mental toughness and grit, which are so important in the trenches. Through an in-depth analysis, we’re aiming to bring more appreciation to these players who, play after play, set the stage for the game’s most memorable moments.
Athiaun Arol Athiaun Arol 6’4″ | 230 lbs | DL Vista Grande | 2025 State AZ is an incredibly rare mix of speed and power. At 6’4” and a lean 230 lbs, he looks like he was specifically built to play defensive end. He can get to the quarterback in, what seems like, two steps and can do it so quickly that he nearly takes the handoff instead of the running back. Arol does an excellent job of crashing down on the run. He has great bend when he’s coming around the edge and is able to wrap right behind the lineman as he beelines for the ball. His ability to keep his concentration and never lose track of the ball is also impressive. Rarely is he seen overunning the play or getting fooled on a run fake. What’s most impressive about Arol is how good he already is, while still having so much room to grow. He has incredible raw speed and strength, and is able to use that to get into the backfield on nearly every play. I would love to see him start to use his quick feet to set up leverage for himself against some of the bigger and longer linemen. When he faces players with more reach, it will limit how effective his sheer power is; having the ability to use finesse will add a whole other dynamic to his game. You can tell he plays with both motivation and passion – that much is clear just from watching film. If he has a similar drive off the field, Arol can really put his name on the map among 2025 edge rushers. He’s a player who’ll start to garner lots of attention in his final season.
Highlights
Riggs Anderson Riggs Anderson 6’1″ | 260 lbs | OL ALA-Queen Creek | 2025 State AZ plays the game with so much energy and aggression. When he comes out of his stance on a run play, it’s like he’s being shot out of a cannon, but is just a few inches away from his target. Listed at 6’1” 270 lbs, he’ll surprise you with his quickness. Anderson’s often leading the charge on screen plays; flying down the field looking for an overmatched defensive back to take out of the frame. A player who plays until the whistle is blown on each and every play and always seems to be going full speed, he’s shown he has the endurance to grind out those long and tough games. Anderson also does a really good job of picking up the blitz, constantly communicating with his teammates about their responsibilities. When Anderson gets lined up against someone who has the size advantage on him, it doesn’t seem to phase him at all. He has the quickness to get positioning and then shows his sheer strength by pushing the bigger players clean out of the play. There’s no doubt at all that when it comes to having the tools to play at the next level – mental toughness, physical toughness, aggression, power, speed, and football IQ – Anderson checks all the boxes. He recently picked up an offer to Grinnell College, and that’s likely just the start. As one of the most complete lineman prospects in all of Arizona, he’s a player coaches don’t want to miss going into his senior year.
Logan Voss Logan Voss 6’3″ | 210 lbs | LB Casteel | 2027 AZ is listed as 6’3” 210 lbs as a freshman, and he truly overpowers all the offensive linemen he goes up against. He isn’t the fastest player, which makes it even more surprising to see him making tackles 10-15 yards down the opposite side of the field; but that’s the type of effort he gives on every play. Even without the speed, he has a quick first step which gets the offensive lineman moving backward where he lets his size and power take over. It seems effortless at times, just how easily he makes it into the backfield. With that being said, Voss can get caught relying a little too heavily on that strength and give up some leverage in the process. With a focus on keeping his center of gravity as low as he can, he’ll be able to more consistently break into the backfield – especially in the run game. This is strange to say because getting into the backfield and affecting the run game is one of the biggest strengths of his game – he’s constantly bringing running backs down before they can get back to the line of scrimmage. The thought of Voss having a full offseason to grow and develop should be scary for opposing offenses.
Highlights
CJ Curry
CJ Curry
CJ Curry has excellent footwork on the offensive side of the ball. Listed at 6’2” 215 lbs, he’s very long and lean at the tackle position, and he uses that length to his advantage. He rarely lets defenders get close enough to use any of their skill moves on him. He also does a really nice job moving his feet quickly to ensure he gets positioning on defensive linemen. Specifically, Curry’s lateral quickness stands out whenever the play goes around the outside. Doing a great job of using leverage to seal off the edge and create a big lane for his running backs with just a defensive back to beat. His hands are as quick as his feet, able to reengage with the opponent over and over again. Curry really excels when he’s tasked with blocking at the second level; he’s fast enough to keep linebackers in front of him, but also strong enough to overpower them too. With a wide frame, he could certainly add some more weight and really take his game to another level. Curry’s game is already really technically sound – he plays both fast and smart – but with the added weight, he could see himself become a truly dominant force, moving people at will for Thunderbird’s offense.