Film Room: Ascending Offensive Linemen in '25

As we work our way to the end of June, we close in on a month-long recruiting dead period that kicks off on Monday. College coaches will be evaluating what they saw from prospects during the last few months. Prospects will turn to training for their upcoming seasons.   The state has been fortunate in the amount of college offers already extended to student-athletes in the 2025 Class. Some guys already have locked up their spots for the future.   Plenty of other dudes still are searching for homes. Let's take a look at seven senior-to-be offensive linemen this fall:   [player_tooltip player_id='1273296' first='Derek' last='Ellens'], 6-3, 282, WDM Valley   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16431610/65353e7519af4c0968437c30">Junior Highlights</a>   Colleges needing a center should look up Ellens. He can hold it down at guard, too. Versatility is a big plus on the next level. Ellens camped with Iowa and Northern Iowa this month before announcing he was canceling the rest of his camps in favor of preparing for his senior season. He does claim offers from St. Thomas, Grand View, Upper Iowa and Augustana. He looks fluid operating at center, where he reacts quickly, drives with his legs and plays with an edge to him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1279711' first='Jace' last='Tonne'], 6-3, 250, Cedar Rapids Prairie   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16436917/Jace-Tonne/highlights">Junior Highlights</a>   College coaches might preferTonne on defense. He's athletic and agile. That said, Tonne shows during his junior video highlights that he can excel on the offensive front. Lining up at right guard, he gets off of the snap well and drives into his opponent. He brings violent hands to the party and what looks to be strength in his upper body. Tonne plays with a sound base and can get even more out of hit with greater bend. There's nice upside here.   [player_tooltip player_id='1280941' first='Kaden' last='Clark'], 6-3, 285, PCM   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16624999/65026aeb15f59307e04b9c68">Junior Highlights</a>   Clark is a big, physical, agile kid that could end up doing damage as a defensive lineman in college. Those traits play really well on the O-Line, too. Get him on campus and figure it out later if you're unsure or don't have a specific need in either spot. Clark is a load at defensive tackle, firing off of the snap. He can beat opponents with speed and physicality. That also works on offense, where he can move and block on multiple levels.   [player_tooltip player_id='1286467' first='Will' last='Lockhart'], 6-4, 240, Denver   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15394724/650e068db3d2fc0420b85b2f">Junior Highlights</a>   Lockhart is another guy who could end up on either side of the ball in college. He also could end up fitting on the inside or outside. Right now, it's probably the latter. He's athletic and agile with good feet. His technique at offensive tackle and defensive end looks solid with a good understanding of the positions. Lockhart maintains his lane off of the end defensively, setting the edge and pouncing when the play is there to be made. He's smooth at offensive tackle, utilizing effective hand activity.   [player_tooltip player_id='1286466' first='Henry' last='Bunn'], 6-4, 270, Clear Lake   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12790480/65485da15eec0a0b902b7556">Junior Highlights</a>   Sticking with the theme of this report and the one recently written about <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/film-room-uncommitted-defensive-linemen-in-25/">uncommitted '25 defensive linemen</a>, Bunn might fit best on offense or defense at the next level. That's probably somewhere inside on either side of the ball with his strength and physicality. Bunn really drives through opponents whether he's blocking them or chasing the ball. He thrives in run blocking and holds up well in pass protection. Bunn moves well on defense and gets off blocks aggressively.   [player_tooltip player_id='1279868' first='Robby' last='Glab'], 6-5, 240, Dubuque Hempstead   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16342968/65570865041f3f094896afe3">Junior Highlights</a>   Another two-way prospect, right now Glab projects on the outside. He's linear with long arms that help him succeed at defensive end or offensive tackle. Glab's athleticism could play up even more if his frame grows to the point where he's an option at guard or D-Tackle. He's technically sound lining up at right offensive tackle for Mustangs, getting into the opposition in opening up running lanes or standing up to pass rushers. There's potential on defense as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1280005' first='Carter' last='Drake-Metzger'], 6-3, 260, Wilton   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18278400/6547ca6b688e3509744f5822">Junior Highlights</a>   Drake-Metzger is a disruptive defensive lineman that produced 14.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks as a junior last season. He's shown colleges he's capable of helping there. It also could be the offensive line for Drake-Metzger, who plays with good pad level and drives with power on both sides of the ball. He moves well laterally and brings athleticism that allows him to block in space. He consistently plays through the whistle.

As we work our way to the end of June, we close in on a month-long recruiting dead period that kicks off on Monday. College coaches will be evaluating what they saw from prospects during the last few months. Prospects will turn to training for their upcoming seasons.