In The Film Room: '27 Iowa Offensive Linemen on the Rise

The Class of 2027 in Iowa contains a talented group of offensive linemen. It's one of the positions that bares the most prospects in the state historically.   We've evaluated a lot of the O-Linemen in the Prep Redzone Iowa rankings already. You can read them <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/?position=OL">HERE</a>.   Here's a new batch of evaluations for guys in the cycle playing the position:    A piece of a young and productive unit in 2024, Krause and his O-Line mates should be a handful this coming fall. He uses leverage and power to defeat opponents from his right guard spot. Krause is physical and plays with an edge as you can see during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19659123/67acea091f1f2ce04db65e7b">sophomore highlight video</a>. He moves really well traveling forward and laterally, allowing him to pick off guys in space on the second level or when he pulls. Krause gets off of the the snap quickly and into the chest of the guy across from him. His hand placement and strength also are assets.     A sophomore starting at left tackle already should have your attention. Then when you click on Schmitt's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20003018/6761a424607d9e7b6e97ae50">10th-grade highlight video</a>, he proves why he's suited for the position at a young age. The size and strength are unusual at this stage but his agility and smooth feet are just as important to his success. Schmitt is balanced in his pass-protection stance and often hits his aiming points on the money. His frame looks like it can comfortably add weight without him losing any of his nimbleness.     Standing out for his strength, Schlichting could fit on either side of the ball on the next level. He's a big kid who can add mass comfortably while keeping his quickness and agility. We witness his abilities during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16293995/676af82dbe38c7d23afd01d3">sophomore highlight video</a>. Schlichting embraces the game's physicality and operates with a high motor, playing through the whistle. On defense, he puts his athletic ability to good use coming off of the edge, where he performs under control and with sound technique.     Friedrichsen is a big kid. There's no mistaking that when we pop on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19675873/6727fee2947b63ba2a5c2750">sophomore highlight video</a>. He contributes much more than just being someone getting in the way by taking up space. Friedrichsen can move in tight quarters or when reaching blocks on the second level. Good balance helps him stay in the play through the whistle. Friedrichsen is one on which to keep an eye this fall, potentially being among the biggest breakouts in this class.     If you're interested in flapjacks, Nichols stacks them up during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19433713/671ea3135c4caf2e6f42d9a8">sophomore highlight video</a>. He has the requisite size for the position. He complements it with a quick get-off on the snap and explosion. Nichols wins a lot of matchup with his hand placement and strength in throwing D-Linemen around. He reaches his blocks on the second level with ease. Nichols already produces and has plenty of room to go before hitting his ceiling during his final two prep seasons.     Offensive linemen in eight-player football must be able to move or the defender will blow past them. They often line up with more space between them and their teammates than in the standard game. Those details and context make what Owens is accomplishing during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16568427/Broderick-Owens/highlights">sophomore highlights</a> on Hudl even more impressive. He reaches his blocks through quickness and explosiveness. Owens utilizes his hands well and finishes his blocks.

The Class of 2027 in Iowa contains a talented group of offensive linemen. It's one of the positions that bares the most prospects in the state historically.