MI’s Best Offensive Linemen playing in the Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The semifinals kick off tomorrow! We're a day away from cutting the field from 32 to 16. This article serves to quickly evaluate and share my opinion on six of the best linemen playing this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899493"],"_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-6741013c742f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avery is going to be key in setting the tone against OLSM. He's one of the best OL recruits to ever come out of Michigan, and if you watch him in person, you'll quickly see why. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I don't know if I've ever seen an offensive lineman as well put-together as Avery. He checks pretty much all of the boxes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Physicality - <strong>✔</strong><br>Size - ✔<br>Mentality - ✔<br>Work ethic - ✔<br>Footwork - ✔<br>ETC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I know that several incredible skill position players are playing in this Groves vs. St. Mary's game, but Avery is still a must-watch player.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["557747"],"_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-6741013c7438e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It isn't often that Cass Tech is the underdog. It's even less often that Cass Tech is a MAJOR underdog. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's where we are now, and if Cass is to win, guys like Khalief need to set the tone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've watched Khalief a lot over the years, both at camps and in-season. If nothing else, Khalief is highly consistent. During the offseason, I've never seen Khalief lose a 1-on-1 rep. Everything from his footwork to punch is consistent. DCC has some great defensive linemen, but I think Khalief will make short work of them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1225769"],"_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-6741013c74401"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kinnus' experience will serve him extremely well against an excellent Groves front 7. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kinnus has solid tape from throughout the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First off, it's important to note his size. Kinnus has great size at 6'4" 290 but is just under that elite D1 threshold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Second, Kinnus has good fundamentals. Solid footwork, a good punch, and he's pretty dang physical. Definitely one of the best offensive tackles left in the playoffs, and a KEY factor in pulling off the upset against Groves. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1529409"],"_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-6741013c7446e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I had the opportunity to watch Jack earlier this season against Grand Rapids Catholic Central. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jack was a big reason why ND Prep dominated on the ground. Whether he's reach blocking, base, pulling, etc, Jack is solid. Overall solid footwork, solid physicality, and a big, imposing player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving forward into the semifinals and state championship, Jack needs to work on finishing his blocks. ND Prep could still dominate these next 1-2 games, and but Jack needs to be on-point. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1113055"],"_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-6741013c744d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've talked about Rowan several times over the past month. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's because I think Rowan has played a major role in this improbable run. Adams went from a team that I had counted out to a team that's a coin-flip to play in the State Championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Always being a run-heavy team, Adams relies heavily on their offensive line play. Starting at tackle, Rowan provides above-average agility alongside excellent physicality and whistle-to-whistle effort. He's also a player that doesn't seem to slow down throughout the game, something that I see from a lot of offensive linemen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Excited to see how Rowan attacks a very smart Hudsonville defense! </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":"Ferris Eldred","_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":"250","_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":"Hudsonville","_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-6741013c745a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My two viewings of Hudsonville have made me respect their offensive line a whole lot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One leader on that offensive line is tackle Ferris Eldred. Last week against Howell, I was pretty dang impressed with his play. Against a DE with excellent size and strength, Ferris dominated. Better yet, I know that Ferris is solid at run and pass blocking. Because of Hudsonville's balanced offense, Ferris has a ton of opportunities to show colleges a wide variety of blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best offensive linemen playing in the Semifinals, and if Hudsonville advances to the State Championship, I'll be sure to scout him again! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->