Trench Titans Taking Over at the Halfway Point

Time to give the spotlight to the foundation of offenses across Wisconsin. The offensive line. A couple weeks ago we took a deep dive into the position and it had a great response. So, we are back to once again dive into the position, identify steals in the senior class as well as identify names to know and watch over the coming years. Fans of the position know that these dudes will come in all shapes and sizes with a wide array of ways that they dominate in the trenches. In the end, though, it all comes down to one big man imposing his will on another. So let's talk about how each of the athletes in today's article get the job done.    The senior out of Madison West is holding down the center position this fall and it is working right into the strengths of his game. Josh is at his best when he can quickly get hands on and work in tight quarters like the interior provides. He has a very strong anchor, but more impressive is the raw power he shows off when run blocking. Josh plays with that mentality where he is looking to impose his will on every DL he faces. His long arms and power allow him to do that. The senior is raw, but I can very easily see him getting developed at the D3 level. Give the tape a look.      Jace has become a key contributor and one of the top athletes on a very impactful Bay Port OL. The sophomore is now up to 250 lbs and manning the right guard position for the Pirates. The future looks very bright for Jace. You have to love the athleticism he brings to the position. The midseason highlights show that he can explode out of his stance and get up to level two on his own, double team up to level two, and we even see him get way downfield to get a block on a DB. Having that range already makes him a special prospect, but further separating him from the crowd is how powerful he can play too. There are plenty of reps where every twitch he makes seems to be fully backed by power to flatten the DL in front of him. He can turn that quick get off into momentum and force to create a consistent surge in the run game. The sophomore also has the clips showing his stout anchor to provide that secure interior pocket to step up into. Jace is going to be one to watch very closely over the next two years.     New to my radar is the 6'4" 255 lbs junior OT for Badger. Badger loves to do one thing on offense, and it seems to match what Quentin loves to do. Run the ball. Quentin is a force in the trenches, moving men out of gaps, washing defenders down the line, or surging them off the line and into the second level. Quentin flies out of his stance quickly and very low to the ground, giving him an instant advantage because of his ability to win the leverage battle. From there he run his feet until the whistle blows or his opponent is on his back. Glad he made his way onto my radar these past couple weeks.     Cade is looking better than ever, and that is unfortunate for opposing DL. The Pewaukee junior has been playing at center this fall, and even taking on the biggest of IDL Cade's elite power rag dolls them. Cade checks the boxes of a top end recruit. Elite frame that is loaded up with equal power that quickly can devastate and punish opponents. The 290 lbs athlete is also showing he can move too. Both while engaged and in space. It is so fun watching the tape. You will see clips where it is a ball of bodies moving in one direction and it is because Cade is behind it driving them downfield and away from the ball. Elite size, length, power, and the mobility required to play at the highest level. No doubt Cade is one of the best in his Class overall.     As an underclassman we constantly preached about Trenton's elite level of discipline and technique. As a junior that hasn't changed a bit. Harris is one of the cleanest when it comes to play with great technique snap to snap. Wide base, great knee bend, patient in his punches, and running his feet through contact in the run game or mirroring edges in pass pro. The only thing that has changed is Trenton has continued to get stronger. Now he is driving kids off the line and putting them in the ground because that leverage is backed by a higher level of strength. The Class of 2027 has elite depth on the OL, as demonstrated by Trenton. He is a kid to watch if you haven't because he has the talent to play at a high level.      Brendan hit my radar earlier this season and I have really been impressed by what I have seen in the first half of the season from him. His frame is growing and filling out well, but while it is doing that his skills have developed really well. Delavan Darien will air the ball out with the best of them, so we get a ton of pass pro from Wiese. The LT shows that he is very light on his feet, can get a ton of depth if needed, and can also change direction and cover ground quickly to recover if he is caught slightly out of position. His athleticism provides a very safe blindside. Flip to the run game and the junior proves he is more than a finesse pass blocker. He can get on his path and clear out defenders that step in front of him. If you recruit southern WI you will want to give him a look.      Elkhorn is having a strong season and a big reason why is the play of their OL unit. Among that group is an impressive 6'4" 275 lbs junior at OT. The big man is twitchy. Over and over he is able to quickly position himself so that his butt is to the hole and he is between ball and defender. Once he establishes position it is a full on attack. Felix is quick to close on his man and instantly creates power when he arrives to his target. The junior is loaded up with power that instantly craters movement and once he gets any sort of flow going he is going to run that man away from the ball. Felix already has the size you look for, so seeing him move and dominate as well as he does leaves me little doubt he can play at the next level.      Sam was a big winner over the summer, earning offers from the D1 and D2 levels. He has carried that momentum into a strong senior season at the midway point. Sam is a technically sound athlete at OT. He does a great job using his length in pass pro, making first contact, controlling the man once he clamps those powerful mitts onto them, and also showing quick feet to be able to stay square in front of them as to not draw holding penalties. You see the same sound technique in the run game too. All about staying balanced and never reaching. Trusting his feet and length to get him where he needs to be on time and then overpowering them when he gets there. Big things are ahead for Sam. He is currently one of the 10 best uncommitted senior OL in Wisconsin.

Time to give the spotlight to the foundation of offenses across Wisconsin. The offensive line. A couple weeks ago we took a deep dive into the position and it had a great response. So, we are back to once again dive into the position, identify steals in the senior class as well as identify names to know and watch over the coming years. Fans of the position know that these dudes will come in all shapes and sizes with a wide array of ways that they dominate in the trenches. In the end, though, it all comes down to one big man imposing his will on another. So let's talk about how each of the athletes in today's article get the job done.