Trench Talk Thursdays- OL/DL To Watch This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's Trench Talk Thursday! We are heading to the line of scrimmage to watch some of the state's talented OL and DL prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With these guys' talents, we're going to be hearing a lot from them this upcoming fall- they've got tons of talent and have put together some great tape already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, be sure to check out some of their film below!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1569174"],"_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-6a062df6b0fb1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jeremiah Steven Beverly is a talented EDGE with a huge senior season ahead for Hillcrest this upcoming fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Beverly is exceptional at setting the edge and stopping the run- he does a great job fighting off blocks and sealing off the edge, coming up with huge stops behind the line of scrimmage, and not allowing for any big gains on the ground.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Beverly is just as productive as a pass rusher. He has a wide variety of moves he uses to beat OL into the backfield and generate pressure/force bad decisions. Beverly was able to rack up sacks and force QBs into bad throws all of last fall, making him a force to be accounted for every down</em>."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beverly took some huge steps this past season, truly dominating on Hillcrest's defensive front all year long. I'm looking forward to his senior year; he's set up for a ton of success this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20197698/6900d7af0d2241dbb0939d0a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a062df6b1421"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1993750"],"_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-6a062df6b14c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1993750' first='Landon' last='Smith'] is a talented OT from Foley who's been incredibly productive up front the last few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Smith is an athletic RT who constantly opens up huge opportunities in the run game. At 6'5 300, Smith explodes off the line</em>&nbsp;and can work from level to level to provide huge lanes for his RB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm just as impressed with his work in pass pro. He's quick to adjust to pass rushers and can consistently provide time for his QB to work with in the pocket. We're going to have to keep track of him moving forward. He's shown a ton of promising things on tape this year."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith has had back-to-back impressive seasons up front for Foley and is sure to have a huge final year this upcoming fall. There's so much to like with Smith's game; everyone needs to have him on their radar heading into this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19838385/6908e0ba2819cfc750d46d94' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a062df6b1509"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1649500"],"_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-6a062df6b1594"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1649500' first='Jay' last='West'] is a massive offensive tackle from Vestavia Hills who could have a breakout season this upcoming fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>West is a MAULER for Vestavia Hill's rushing attack. At 6'4 280, he has the size and strength to physically dominate nearly everyone who lines up across from him, consistently creating wide rushing lanes for his teammates and pancaking defenders into the dirt every snap. West is just as good in pass protection- he's quick on his feet, can counter rush moves, and is an anchor on the outside who doesn't allow for any pressure or sacks on his QB.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>What stood out to me most when watching West's tape was seeing how much effort he puts in- he's a guy who takes pride in dominating the trenches and blocks through the whistle every single snap.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West has the size and skill to present a ton of issues to DL across the state. I think we're going to see a ton from him here in 2026. In the meantime, be sure to watch some of his film below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18283878/68fa9ad1ea707630a706a012' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a062df6b15d0"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1159041"],"_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-6a062df6b1658"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1159041' first='Brayden' last='Gunter'] is a dominant DE from Straughn who took his game to a whole other level this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Gunter is a dominant run defender. He's quick off the snap, can fight off multiple blockers, and plays with terrific pursuit and effort, closing in on the ball carrier and creating stops behind or near the line of scrimmage for little to no gain.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Gunter is just as productive as a pass rusher- he plays with a ton of speed, power, and leverage and overwhelms OTs to quickly make his way to the quarterback and rack up pressures and sacks.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> I'm really looking forward to seeing what's next for Gunter this year. He's a reliable piece of Straughn's defensive front who's gotten better each year he's played. Make sure you watch some of his junior tape below: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18435711/692cf739733bfca19ff84dbe' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a062df6b1693"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1651338"],"_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-6a062df6b1747"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1651338' first='Gunnar' last='Shawley'] is an impressive DL from Brooks who's headed into a big senior season this upcoming fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Shawley is quick off the snap, has impressive speed and pursuit skills, and makes huge impacts for his defense every snap. I'm really impressed with how easy it is for Shawley to shed off blocks and make his way to the ball carrier- he's especially dominant against the run, consistently coming up with big stops by the line of scrimmage.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Shawley is just as productive on passing downs, he quickly finds ways into the backfield, generates great pressure, and forces opposing quarterbacks to make bad decisions with the ball.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shawley put together some impressive film from last season. He's really emerged as a key force of Brooks' defense, and showed a ton of talent and potential this past season. Do yourself a favor and check out his film below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Gunnarshawley53/status/1996566573709144475","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Gunnarshawley53/status/1996566573709144475 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->