Leverage Killers: 5 Players Who Win at the Point of Attack

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The low man wins, and there is always a leverage battle that we all want to see up front at the point of attack. These are the five trench battle winners who will be looking to protect their QBs and create lanes for their ball carriers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before looking into these leverage killers, the real question is, how do you define winning the leverage battle the most?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Low man wins!</span></strong> If you get low and keep your pads below the opponent, then you will gain force to move the opponent backwards.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Hand Placement!</strong> </span>If you have direct and strong hand placement on the opponent, then it is going to help in your ability to steer the defender. Placement gives you control.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Footwork!</span></strong> It's all the footwork footwork footwork.. You must have footwork in working through all your steps throughout plays, having balance, and creating a powerful step.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Mental Game!</span></strong> If you have the mental game to want to win and play the game with smarts, then you can win the leverage battle easily. This is not the easiest objective to scout, but smart players can see weak points to attack within players to win the leverage battle.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">OG:</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1308480"],"_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-687994835b5d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you want to see an offensive lineman that knows how to get low at an extreme level and consistently drives his defenders off the ball, then [player_tooltip player_id='1308480' first='Jordan' last='Petzold'] is your man. Petzold displays not only a large amount of mauling ability but also footwork as well. Moreover, he demonstrates huge pulling power and quickness. Altogether, what makes Petzold such a huge leverage killer is the balance that he is able to display. That balance is displayed within his lower half when making initial contact at the POA. Furthermore, his firm base was critical for him in winning leverage battles up front in the pass and run game. By all means, power-driving opponents backwards in the run-blocking aspect was a constant for him on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18446885/67490fd01a1ef8504fa24cbe' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687994835bb82"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">225x15 rep out after a heavy bench day!!!<br>20 🔜🔜🔜<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachBerardelli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachBerardelli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_TWalsh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_TWalsh</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachSinger75?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSinger75</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FBCoach_Sino?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBCoach_Sino</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/QBoogieSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QBoogieSports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachMartinoSBU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachMartinoSBU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachMorita?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachMorita</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coach_cahill?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_cahill</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDenecke?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDenecke</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PSteel78?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PSteel78</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Calabrese?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Calabrese</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Wils?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Wils</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_IPace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_IPace</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LIBasketball23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LIBasketball23</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jared_valluzzi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jared_valluzzi</a> <a href="https://t.co/CfCKH4HVEW">pic.twitter.com/CfCKH4HVEW</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1308480' first='Jordan' last='Petzold'] (@jordan77petzold) <a href="https://twitter.com/jordan77petzold/status/1935791063022895466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- 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":1719751,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brody Keats","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"245","_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":"Orchard Park","_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-687994835be44"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brody Keats is a versatile OT that presented his ability in playing at both the LT and RT positions. Additionally, Keats' hand grip was a big benefactor to direct pass rushers in certain directions when coming off the edge. Not letting rushers have a direct lane to the QB and being a solid anchor within the leverage battle was major for this leverage killer. Likewise, the mental ability of using his center of gravity to his advantage would pay dividends. When defenders would try to overpower him at the POA, Keats won. In like manner, Keats translated this over to the DT position. He knew how to use his size to his advantage by attacking certain gaps within the offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16723162/6726d5c9c232bc05076f68f2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687994835beb0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1703179"],"_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-687bee16bf961"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1703179' first='Aiden' last='Gendell'] is a downhill upfront OG that has the upper body strength to manhandle pass rushers coming straight off their stance. Thereafter, Gendell has a precise hand grip to steer defenders into the turf and create positive movement. To add, getting low pad level was a huge benefactor to these short yardage situations for this leverage killer OG. For short yardage situations, using his size to his advantage to provide a push in leverage situations was powerful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17458894/6754816bb043429784c55b32' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687bee16bfb1f"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had a great time competing at <a href="https://twitter.com/IthacaBomberFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IthacaBomberFB</a> camp, won some reps and lost some reps but learned throughout all of it! <a href="https://t.co/jCxOdp0zHg">pic.twitter.com/jCxOdp0zHg</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1703179' first='Aiden' last='Gendell'] (@AG607753) <a href="https://twitter.com/AG607753/status/1946228472793215098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1596197"],"_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-687bee16bfb76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1596197' first='Patrick' last='Lynch'] is a mobile center that is quick on his feet. Additionally, he knows how to use his size when pushing defenders all around the LOS in pass protection. Lynch shows a strong mental game, capitalizing on off-balance defenders in the run game and assisting OGs in pass protection. Further, having powerful and balanced steps off the snap was key in maintaining his blocks at the POA. Lynch is a strong anchor through the A-gap and will provide a noticeable push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23851820/673bf3e3c1359c05ad0adcc7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687bee16bfb9d"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">‼️Thank you to all the coaches who have hosted me at great camps‼️ Here is a quick montage of all my June camp clips. <a href="https://twitter.com/LuHiFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LuHiFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachLiteFeet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachLiteFeet</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JB_SMiami?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JB_SMiami</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/creno7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@creno7</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachwhizzy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachwhizzy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachFahj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachFahj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamarStephen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShamarStephen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FBCoach_Sino?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBCoach_Sino</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachSinger75?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSinger75</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_IPace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_IPace</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Handy73?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Handy73</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachCGD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCGD</a>… <a href="https://t.co/xaPQX02XRc">pic.twitter.com/xaPQX02XRc</a></p>&mdash; Patty Lynch (@pattylynch65) <a href="https://twitter.com/pattylynch65/status/1940828279000420518?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1294921"],"_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-687d668f35c1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">player_tooltip player_id='1294921' first='Zahmar' last='Tookes'] is one of the biggest leverage killers of them all. At length, Tookes presented a large amount of leverage at the DT and OT positions. Formerly, the athleticism that he possessed was off the charts, especially lined up at multiple techniques. Forthwith the complete balance on both sides of the football granted Tookes a high success rate within winning leverage battles. Whether it was squaring up as a blocker or shedding blocks quickly, his strength at the POA was strong! Many times, he had complete control over his opponent on numerous occasions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20633040/6751e92b922814a7612b5b0d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687d668f35e92"} /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/PennStateFball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PennStateFball</a> for the love!! <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJimKnowles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJimKnowles</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachGGattuso?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachGGattuso</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachjfranklin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachjfranklin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DBarnes_18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DBarnes_18</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MWeimer26?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MWeimer26</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachLian8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachLian8</a> <a href="https://t.co/vmJn2Mrpsj">pic.twitter.com/vmJn2Mrpsj</a></p>&mdash; Zahmar_Tookes_09 (@datboymar09) <a href="https://twitter.com/datboymar09/status/1943438675590943099?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->