In The Trenches With Deck: Five Ranked Athletes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a scout and historian, I know that comparisons to football and warfare are overused, but sometimes, I still can't help myself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running backs and quarterbacks get the headlines, but I still appreciate the work that offensive and defensive linemen put in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at five ranked Kansas athletes who make their bones in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["944913"],"_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-67e6be551b64d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Briley is ranked No. 29 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027 and is the No. 2 ranked defensive lineman in the class. He is long and mean. He can line up against the center or a guard. He flows well down the line and can shoot the gap. His speed makes him tough to block. The Junction City prospect still has two years of high school ball to prove what a difference-maker he can be in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1277775"],"_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-67e6be551b6b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Houser's film from last season is impressive. Prep Redzone Kansas ranks him No. 35 overall and No. 3 as a defensive lineman. He is explosive off the ball and moves like a hungry tiger. He is strong and creates separation with a lightning-quick first blow. He can play as a defensive tackle or on the edge. His speed makes him recruitbale on the outside, but it is his size and toughness that makes him a beast inside. A college defensive coordinator could create all kinds of match-up problems by moving him around up front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1299418"],"_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-67e6be551b6f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oatis makes opposing quarterbacks hear footsteps. He lines up on the edge on the majority of snaps. He can seal an edge and shut down the outside gap. He has excellent closing speed and has an extra gear the closer he gets to a ball carrier. At six-foot-two, college coaches might decide to move him to the interior to utilize his quickness. Oatis is ranked No. 43 overall in the Kansas Class in 2027 and is the fourth-ranked defensive lineman. He will be a key member of the Thunderbird defense for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1268213"],"_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-67e6be551b736"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Flores plays guard for the Golden Bears. He is a bulldozer in the run game. He has a low center of gravity and keeps his legs moving like pistons. He has the quickness to pull and to get to the second level of the defense to hold up linebackers. He is ranked No. 70 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. He is the No. 13-ranked offensive lineman in the Kansas Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1113284"],"_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-67e6be551b775"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Koehn can play either side of the ball, but it looks like his future might very well be as an offensive tackle. He is ranked No. 156 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. I like the way that he gets out of his stance. He stays low, keeps his head up, and sinks his hips. He is a solid pass blocker, and I would like to see him improve on his run-blocking. He does need to continue to work on keeping his hands inside to avoid holding call. He has the size and length to be a stellar offensive tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->