Building the Perfect OL Recruit

<p>Nobody is perfect. We all know that. That doesn't mean we can't try to chase perfection. Or build it. While nobody is perfect, there are several athletes across WI who have gotten very close to perfecting a certain part of the game at their position. What we are going to do is start a series where we identify those special talents as we build the "Perfect Recruit" position by position and attribute by attribute. We will start with the OL and pull together tools from athletes with the size, body composition, athleticism, power, hand use and so on that are the best of the best. In the end, these traits combined into one athlete would be the best athlete that WI has to offer at that position. Let's get into the lab!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frame/Size</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">There are several options when it comes to choosing a massive frame to build our perfect prospect on. In the end I elected to go with the frame of Eau Claire North's Kenton Mondeau. Kenton reports a 6'7" 315 lbs frame. That height comes with matching length as Kenton is able to be a massive obstacle for edge rushers to battle around. Between his massive size and the length to be able to always make first contact, you will be hard pressed to find a more impressive prospect on the hoof.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Body Composition</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">We are going to do our best to limit each athlete to 1 spot at most in this series. I had to make that clarification because Patrick could fit into a few of the upcoming categories. The reason we want the 2026 OT's body composition for our perfect prospect is because of what we saw at the winter PRZ WI Showcase. Patrick checked in at exactly 295 lbs. An impressive number, but what was even more impressive was how well he held and carried the weight. Even at 295 lbs the junior had clear arm and leg definition and a very clean overall torso. The junior OT is also a member of the Oconomowoc wrestling team, so the body comp is probably even more impressive now that he has had had to work down to 285 lbs. Big things ahead for the junior. Keep an eye on him.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Feet/Athleticism</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">While filling out our categories with athletes there wasn't an easier category to choose than this one. The sophomore OL is my favorite lineman to watch when it comes to watching the feet of the athlete. Trenton is so quick with his feet. Out of his stance, reaching a block, getting deep into a pass set, closing quickly on an LB, or making the adjustments while engaged so he can stay square on his man. Harris' feet are so nimble and quick while also giving him the ability to drive linemen out of the trenches. I can't wait to see how Trenton develops this offseason into an even more impressive prospect.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Strength</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Tucker has made a massive leap on the field over the past year. One of those areas is in his strength. The massive prospect plays in the Classic 8 conference, long known as the top conference in the State. Despite playing top end DL talent on a weekly basis, Tucker's junior tape is filled with him dominating, overpowering, and pancaking several of those opponents. From the second Tucker is able to get his hands on he is able to reset the line of scrimmage in the run game. He can quickly get his opponent off balance and keep them from recovering, take them where he wants, and then always looks to finish his block to the ground. The way that Thieneman is able to generate that power on contact is a great illustration of the power he possesses. No question that is the power/strength we want in our perfect prospect.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Physicality</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">I love the way Dylan plays in the trenches. When you watch through his highlights it seems like every single play ends with him putting his opponent flat on their back. Dylan is a hunter. He takes the fight to his opponent and doesn't give them a second to recover or counter. Once his hands are on you he is going to overpower you and set the tone with the violence that he plays with. Even when he doesn't have a man to block initially the senior finds a victim. That tenacity and mean streak is what we want in our trench monsters and it is what we need in our perfect OL recruit. The senior is uncommitted too, so you can still add that to your current recruiting classes.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hands/Hand Use</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">A junior OL who continues to rise and impress is [player_tooltip player_id='1222039' first='Gavin' last='Meier'] out of Janesville Parker. One of the most impressive parts when I watch his tape is the way he plays with his hands. Gavin has an elite 6'6" frame with length to match and the junior uses that length to always initiate contact and get his hands on his man first. They are hands that deliver a strong initial punch. His hands also allow him to control where his man or to get them off balance so he can easily overpower them the rest of the play. Looking further into the hand use, Meier does a consistently good job with his hand placement. Despite being as big as he is, Gavin keeps his hands inside and does a great job of resetting his hands when his opponent tries to make a counter move. The big man is equally as technically sound. Big things ahead for him, and a great addition to our Perfect Recruit build.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pass Blocking</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">James is another athlete who could fit a few of these areas, but his comfort in his pass protection shines most. The 6'4" 300 lbs junior is a trustworthy protector on the edge. He has the easy athleticism and body control to be able to get deep to cut off speed rushers and not get caught reaching. When he does get out of position while engaged he has the strength to be able to reset himself. The anchor strength also allows him to negate bull rush attempts. Thomas also does a great job of getting hands on and controlling where his opponent goes and also reacting to counter moves and initial pass rush moves. Having our perfect recruit pass protect like James is a must.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Run Blocking</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">This was the toughest choice because we have a lot of talented run blockers here in Wisconsin. In the end I chose to go with the DC Everest senior OL. His skill set in the run game are both strong and versatile. You can ask him to rely more on athleticism to pull and lead across the formation or out in space. He can reach a man the next gap over with a quick burst out of his stance. Oscar can also close quickly on LBs to spring his RB loose into the second level. You can also put Oscar in situations where he needs to fire straight out of his stance, clamp those strong hands onto his man, and reset the line of scrimmage as he walks his guy off the line. The cherry oil top of it all is Oscar is a tone setter with the mean streak needed and the ability to finish blocks on a consistent basis. Run blocking like this perfectly rounds out our Perfect Recruit Build. The senior is also still uncommitted, so college coaches give this kid a look.</p>

Nobody is perfect. We all know that. That doesn't mean we can't try to chase perfection. Or build it. While nobody is perfect, there are several athletes across WI who have gotten very close to perfecting a certain part of the game at their position. What we are going to do is start a series where we identify those special talents as we build the "Perfect Recruit" position by position and attribute by attribute. We will start with the OL and pull together tools from athletes with the size, body composition, athleticism, power, hand use and so on that are the best of the best. In the end, these traits combined into one athlete would be the best athlete that WI has to offer at that position. Let's get into the lab!