More OL/DL Predators Ramping Up This Off-Season

Earlier this week I covered a handful of trench warriors who have been locked in on an aggressive off-season, but I had quite a few others in my sights as well that have been stepping up to the off-season challenge who I wanted to make sure and cover before the end of the month.   As competitive as the trenches are getting to be, if you aren't committed to the off-season grind you are going to get buried before the fall's first possession is in the books.   You won't find any of those guys in this report...   Below, we are taking a quick look at five talented players along the offensive and defensive lines - three from the class of '29 and a pair of guys getting ready for their senior season.   So without further adieu, let's check out what these ballers have been up to:     [player_tooltip player_id='1545283' first='Dominic' last='Santiago']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dominic-santiago/"></a> , 6'0, 245, OL, Shawnee Mission South, '29, first out of the gate is a guy coming off a solid freshman season playing right tackle on offense as well as a DT/Edge on defense. Last fall he played his first year of varsity with Blue Valley West and has since transferred to Shawnee Mission South. Playing the game with physicality he uses his strength and athleticism to deliver pile-driving blocks in the run game and has the quick feet and hands to seal off in pass pro. On defense he uses those quick feet and baller instincts to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage. This off-season he has been working on cardio, spending time in the weight room and is already blowing by PRs in all the key lifts. He is also focused on hitting camps at Missouri Western, Drake and K-State this summer. This guy is going to impress people this year.   Kaiden McCatherine, 6'2, 310, OT/OG, Ark City, '29, up next is another sophomore-to-be trench warrior who caught my eye with his freshman game last fall as a mauling, brawling offensive tackle who was effective making smothering blocks in the run game as well as walling off the edge in pass pro. With his powerful frame and lower-body strength, he can dominate between the tackles and is adept at burying opponents in his path. This off-season he is starting to get attention, with 13 camp invites, which includes multiple D1 contacts. He recently returned from the Eastern Illinois camp as well as the All-American Bowl Combine. His track season just wrapped up, which will allow him to focus on the camp-combine circuit this summer. This guy is putting in the off-season work and is just getting warmed up. Look for him to dominate in the trenches this fall for the Bulldogs.   [player_tooltip player_id='2167280' first='Nathaniel' last='Huff'], 6'0, 240, DL, Kapaun, '29, the third member of the loaded class of 2029 in this report is a defensive lineman who saw first hand what it takes to be a state champion as he and his teammates took 4A by storm last year winning the state title. He has already been busy this off-season and has put on 20+ pounds of muscle and has gotten even quicker. He has been training with one of the best in the business in Coach Tabor with PIA, who is also his position coach during the season. With a powerful frame and lateral agility, he is a baller making plays up and down the line of scrimmage as a defensive tackle, but is versatile enough to get reps as a fullback. His off-season has been busy as he is a 3-sport athlete, as a heavyweight wrestler and just finished track season. This guy is locked in and ready for a big next step.   [player_tooltip player_id='1307970' first='Brock' last='Martin'], 5'8, 245, OL/C, Wichita Northwest, '27, first up for the seniors-to-be is a battle-tested interior offensive lineman who is versatile enough to play either guard, but has really established himself as one of the top centers in the Wichita area. With his powerful base, low center of gravity and quick feet he is a bulldozer in the run game and an anchor in the middle plugging gaps in pass pro. He has been working hard in the off-season with established local trainer, Coach Rashad and his efforts are already reaping dividends as he recently received an offer from the powerful Friends Falcons. He has also been working with his teammates in the school's top-end training program and they appear to once again be one of the top teams in the state this year. This guy plays a high-IQ game and is primed and ready for an encore performance this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='944913' first='Trevon' last='Briley']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/trevon-briley/"></a> , 6'3, 250, DL/DE, Junction City, '27, and last, but certainly not least, we have one of the most dangerous defensive dominators in the state who is coming off a standout junior season as a hybrid defensive tackle/edge rusher who had 55 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, a forced fumble and blocked a kick. With bone-crushing power and explosiveness, he dominates the line of scrimmage and makes quick work of attempted double teams. He fires through gaps quickly and coming off the edge uses his bend and burst sliding around blockers but can also bull-rush over the top of OT's locking down the perimeter. A 3-sport athlete, he just wrapped up track throwing the discus and has been busy coordinating college next steps. So far he has received over a dozen offers from some of the top programs, including recent D1 Ivy League offers from Brown and Cornell. Get your popcorn handy, he is going to put on a defensive show this fall.     In conclusion, check these guys out - you won't be disappointed! Also, if you know of any players not getting any/enough coverage that they deserve, please feel free to DM me via X so we can take care of that!   And, most importantly...   Keep Grindin'

Earlier this week I covered a handful of trench warriors who have been locked in on an aggressive off-season, but I had quite a few others in my sights as well that have been stepping up to the off-season challenge who I wanted to make sure and cover before the end of the month.