Large & In Charge: ’27s Preparing For Trench Warfare

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the PRZ state-wide focal for quarterbacks and running backs, I end up doing a lot of articles on skill players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, as an aging warrior myself, I am not so far removed from the game that I don't appreciate where the bread is really buttered when it comes to who is making those skill players shine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Any successful back worth his salt should treat the big guys up front like royalty because they make it all happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nonetheless, the spotlight will invariably linger on the skill players and the interviews continue to go to the guys doing the scoring but the team knows, and those in the know appreciate, that the guys up front on both sides of the ball are the real superhero's in this game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Consequently, I would like to take a step back after consecutive articles on the high-profile guys and show some appreciation for the stud ballers up front doing all the dirty work for very little reward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report, we will take a look at five guys approaching the all-important junior season. The junior season is critical, particularly for the guys looking to go big time, because it can be the catapult to more intensive recruiting attention and sets the stage for a big encore senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's check out five guys getting ready to hit some people in the mouth this fall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["944902"],"_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-67e7b84820b9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944902' first='Nolan' last='Hadley']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nolan-hadley/"></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nolan-hadley/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'3, 285, OL,&nbsp;<em>Maize</em>, '27. Following a standout sophomore season, he was back to work early in the off-season putting in the grind. He is also another one of the top athletes in the area training with Coach Rashad Daniels, focusing on strength, speed, footwork and agility. With camp season just around the corner he has a number of top camps in mind but has not finalized his plans to date. Last fall he put on a full display of the tools he brings to the game and with his D1-size and mobility, he has already started drawing significant interest from coaches and recruiters. He can play either guard position and with his powerful base and great feet is a punishing blocker. His agility and lateral quickness enables him to pull and lead on the corner or wall off in pass pro as needed. This guy is on a great trajectory and is just getting warmed up. He is going to dominate in a big way this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1125648"],"_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-67e7b84820c01"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1125648' first='Maddox' last='McGinnis']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/maddox-mcginnis/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/maddox-mcginnis/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>,&nbsp;6'4, 290, OL,&nbsp;<em>Wichita NW</em>, '27, He is another D1-prospect training twice a week with Coach Rashad this off-season. He established goals early on to build on his already explosive game and fine-tune his lateral movement in the trenches. Camp season is going to be busy, as he has targeted powerhouse programs at the University of Florida, Missouri, Minnesota and Cincinnati so far. With his prototype size, powerful base and reach and an aggressive attitude he delivers bulldozer hits when opening holes. He is a brawler of a blocker in the run game, pounding down blocks and unloading on next-level defenders or pulling on the edge and leading sweeps and screens downfield. In pass pro, he has good mechanics and gets leverage with a quick initial positioning step, before walling off. This guy is going to shift into destroyer-mode this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["944972"],"_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-67e7b84820c58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944972' first='Zein' last='Rector']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zein-rector/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zein-rector/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'1, 240, OL/DL,&nbsp;<em>Nickerson</em>, '27, He is coming off a solid sophomore season when he gave us a glimpse of the good things coming. The off-season has been busy as he shifted gears right after the season closed and was hard at the grind for the 2025 season. Right now he is competing in track and is putting the finishing touches on his spring and summer camp plans. So far he is set to go to Washburn, Baker and North Dakota State and is considering others. Although he is versatile along the line of scrimmage, he has settled in as a bookend left tackle protecting his quarterback's backside. His game is built on a combination of power and quickness and with his strength and agility he is a battering ram of a blocker in space. With his excellent feet and mobility he can make all the blocks, from chipping and attacking linebackers to shutting down the edge in pass pro. This guy is getting ready for a breakout year in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588356"],"_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-67e80a60d6522"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588356' first='Weston' last='Jackson']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/weston-jackson/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'3, 255, OL,&nbsp;<em>Derby</em>, '27. Heading into the playoffs last fall, he quietly showed that he is fully capable of becoming another Derby standout in the trenches after coming on strong and earning a starting position by the end of the season. Getting some early traction is a difficult proposition with any 6A school but in particular for an elite program like Derby with their numerous state championships. And, from what I am hearing from scouts and coaches, he is continuing to make significant strides working hard in the off-season getting ready for the key junior season. He is a versatile lineman who can play either guard position or tackle and once the ball snaps, uses his excellent size and strength to overwhelm defenders. He is still finalizing his spring and summer plans but is staying busy in the Panther off-season training program. This guy is going to have a big season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1542914"],"_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-67e80a60d6581"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1542914' first='Landon' last='Salazar']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/landon-salazar/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'2, 275, OL,&nbsp;<em>Eisenhower</em>, '27, After being the only sophomore starter on the high-powered Tiger offense that went deep into the playoffs last fall, he has been hard at it in the off-season getting ready for a critical junior season. His training plans are kicking into gear this spring as he is playing baseball and has continued training with legendary Coach James Tabor, so he will be in great shape when fall rolls around. He can play either tackle, but was very effective at right tackle last fall and with his size and reach was dominating in both the run game and when walling off speed rushers in pass pro. With a year of experience under his belt and growth in the standout&nbsp;Tiger&nbsp;system he will be ready to help continue their strong offensive attack. Get this guy on your watchlist, he is getting ready to be a force this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, follow these guys as they prepare for a big 2025 season. And, as always, if you run across players or teams flying under the radar, give me a shout via DM on X. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep grindin'...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->