Around the Metro: Here Come the Hogs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Normally in the Kansas City metro hogs are associated with barbecue. In this case though, we're referring to offensive linemen. This position group, particularly in the metro, has produced a number of next-level prospects in recent years. That trend doesn't appear to be stopping anytime soon with the amount of talented linemen in the next two graduating classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This third installment of <em>‘Around the Metro'</em> will preview five linemen that haven't received enough coverage ahead of the ‘24 campaign. Four of these hogs are seniors determined to make a statement this season, while the lone junior of the group is looking to have a standout year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1228497"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b189cadde20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1228497' first='Phil' last='Jones Jr.'] of Bishop Miege will be in an interesting situation this season. He's a key returning starter for the Stags' offensive line, as three of their starters from last season are now on Division I rosters. With those three headlining the Stags' offense in 2023, Jones Jr.'s play was extremely overlooked. For those that don't know, he was an <em>All-League</em> performer, and has the potential to earn that honor once again this year. He's a 6-foot-3, 260-pound guard that recruiters do not want to sleep on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1362428' first='Peter' last='Swaney']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"285","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Olathe South","_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b189caddee2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1362428' first='Peter' last='Swaney'] of Olathe South is a guard recruiters will want to know this season. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound lineman was a <em>2nd Team All-League</em> selection in 2023, and he's riding high into his senior year after a strong summer. Swaney spearheaded an offensive line that helped produce over 2,800 yards on the ground and 40 points per game last season. A <em>1st Team All-League</em> selection and <em>All-State</em> honors could be in his future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1362426' first='Mason' last='Matlock']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"240","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Gardner-Edgerton","_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b189caddf7b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This next prospect knows a thing or two about a winning culture. [player_tooltip player_id='1362426' first='Mason' last='Matlock']'s first two varsity seasons have resulted in state title appearances, with one being a championship year for Gardner-Edgerton. In 2023 he helped pave the way for over 2,500 yards rushing for the Trailblazers, which earned him an <em>All-League Honorable Mention</em> nod. Matlock's experience will be key for a squad eying a third straight appearance in the 6A title game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1362424' first='Alex' last='Risley']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"270","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lawrence Free State","_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b189cade003"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lawrence Free State has been an offensive linemen factory these past few years. The Firebirds already have a top offensive line prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='1114737' first='Braden' last='Wilmes'], but folks should get to know 6-foot-3 270-pound [player_tooltip player_id='1362424' first='Alex' last='Risley'] as well. He's an underrated athlete that displays solid passing blocking fundamentals and has the ability to play tackle or guard. With plenty of recruiters set to be in attendance for some of Free State's games, Risley will have the opportunity to turn heads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780305"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b189cade049"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Part III of the series concludes with [player_tooltip player_id='780305' first='Nick' last='Philhour Jr.'] of Mill Valley. The Jaguars will be on a quest for a sixth straight state championship this season, and one junior that could have a breakout year in the process is Philhour Jr. He's set to be one of the Jags' most experienced offensive linemen, and has continued to sharpen his skills this offseason. He'll be looking to impose his will with his next-level size and brute strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->