Hidden Gems: #TN2022 Offensive Line
We have now made it to the trenches! The next step in the Hidden Gems series is to look at some of the most underrated in-state offensive linemen for the current 2022 class.
These ten prospects are all worthy of college offers but have yet to see them arrive. In time that will change but for the meantime, let’s go in-depth on who these guys are and what talents they bring to the football field.
Offensive Line – 2022
1. Jacob Bates Jacob Bates 6'6" | 295 lbs | OL Nashville Christian | 2022 State TN (6’6 300) – Nashville Christian
– Here is a prospect that has been teetering on the brink of landing that first offer but it has yet to come. Bates is a big guy that can move but also play that mauler role manning either the tackle spot or sliding inside to guard. The Nashville native sports a nice frame that already has plenty of muscle and weight but he could take on even more size going forward. Bates plays with good balance and gets to the second level very well. He also uses his arm length to keep rushers at bay while also finishing the job because he has a developing mean streak inside his game. Bates will soon see that first offer. It’s just a matter of time.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/profile/9742176/Jacob-Bates/highlights
2. Connor Meadows Connor Meadows 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL Peabody | 2022 State TN (6’5 280) – Peabody HS
– Meadows cracks this list as a big man with the size, frame, physical traits and tenacious motor to play his way to the next level. The Golden Tide’s top returning offensive lineman, Meadows is a beast up front that plays with a mean streak and enjoys hitting people. He embraces contact, so you won’t have to worry about Meadows being physical. He sports active feet that shows the upside to be a dominant blocker in the pull, trap game. Meadows is also versatile. He plays guard and very well might stay there in the college game but he shows the ability to possibly play tackle if needed. That first offer has yet to arrive but I fully expect it to come soon with several more coming behind it.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14837883/5fd4f898066bbd0a48a63dc2
3. Ryan Wright Ryan Wright 6'5" | 295 lbs | OL Northview Academy | 2022 State TN (6’5 285) – Northview Academy
– Hailing from out East in the Smoky Mountains, Wright is a well put together young man that has the body and game play to reach into the college game. Yet to receive his 1st offer, Wright is a guy that has been receiving interest from several high academic schools but nobody has pulled the trigger yet. A good athlete with a maulers mentality, Wright plays with an active motor that doesn’t stop until the final whistle. He has some room to add more weight, muscle but Wright already sports a good body that translates well to the next level. This is certainly an under the radar prospect that if given the chance in college, would surprise in many ways.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11094801/5fc66983d21c9b087488c417
4. Marcus James Marcus James 6'5" | 320 lbs | OL Germantown | 2022 State TN (6’4 305) – Ridgeway HS
– James is the lone prospect on this list that did not have a junior season. Shelby county was the only county to not support the playing of football in 2020, so James is lacking updated but he is a worthy prospect that is looking to dominate his senior season and make college coaches notice him. A powerful and agile guy for his size, James is a multi talented lineman that can play up and down the line while doing so at a high level. The Memphis area product is a people mover that is hard to stop when his feet are moving downhill. He is also a good athlete. James has an agile lower body that helps him get to the second level and open up holes for his backs. A strong student in the classroom, James will eventually earn those college offers. He just has to remain patient and keep putting in work until they finally arrive.
Sophomore Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13519710/5ef5438ef3266108848083b7
5. Nick Nicodemus Nick Nicodemus 6'6" | 295 lbs | OL Cleveland | 2022 State TN (6’6 295) – Cleveland HS
– Nicodemus is an intriguing prospect as he sports great size, physical traits (frame, arm length) that translates into the college game but he sits on the market as a non-offered prospect. That should change soon as more college coaches view his film and research more about this Southeast Tennessee product. Nicodemus plays tackle for his high school team but translates best on the next level at guard. The Raiders stud lineman is a wide bodied guy that is hard to move off his spot. He is a powerful guy, so when he locks on, you are finished. Nicodemus is also a deceptive athlete that can improve in that area. The offers may not be there now but in time, they will be.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9890206/5fc2c86c90f03a082020811d
6. Ian Falkner (6’3 295) – Collierville
– One of the best natural athletes on this list, Falkner is a true hidden gem that has yet to burst onto the scene but will very soon. A versatile lineman that can play up and down the line, Falker is a well built guy that has a frame that can take added weight and still move at a high level. He sports long arms which is a definite advantage but also delivers punishment when he is locked on and moving his feet. The Dragons stud lineman shows the highest upside in the middle at guard or even center but could very well fill in at tackle if needed because of his athleticism and active feet. This is an offer worthy prospect, it just may take some time before the first one arrives.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7720061/5fbdf9ef7bdcb508a4914881
7. Evan Carney Evan Carney 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL CPA | 2022 State TN (6’5 270) – Christ Presbyterian Academy
– If you are looking for a prospect that is far from his maximum abilities but screams massive potential, Carney is your guy. Sporting a great frame along with nice athletic traits (frame, arm length), Carney provides a lot of tools for college coaches to mold and grow into an eventual starting lineman. He is an athletic guy with active feet and lower body agility. The Lions rising senior also shows explosive traits, meaning when he hits ya and makes contact, you feel it. Carney is also versatile. He could stay outside at tackle or move inside to guard and be just as explosive. The offers will come to Carney. It’s just a matter of when, not if.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10114351/5fcd41f2dfe35406fc2a86bc
8. Camron Gann Camron Gann 6'3" | 290 lbs | OL Powell | 2022 State TN (6’3 290) – Powell HS
– Gann is an offensive lineman that has been on the recruiting radar for going on two years now but he has yet to receive his 1st college offer. A physical mauler up front with excellent lower body agility. Gann is a well put together young man that can move and plays with intensity. The Panthers star lineman is a camp star too as Gann has performed well in the past and this year in drills, displaying his mobility and overall athleticism The East Tennessee product is also versatile meaning he could man all three interior positions across the offensive line. It’s only a matter of time before his 1st offer arrives and when it does, watch the floodgates break open.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8229837/5f4f01cbe97b9f0becd8e73a
9. Sully Sexton Sully Sexton 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Anderson County | 2022 State TN (6’3 290) – Anderson Co.
– A burly and physical competitor in the middle of the offensive line, Sexton is a consistent, rock solid performer that should have interest from college coaches by now but that has yet to happen. The Mavericks rising senior sports college size along with the football smarts to handle the center position on the next level. He is also versatile to where he could play all three interior positions if called upon. Sexton loves the game of football and gives his all every time he steps onto the field. He provides a lot of value to the line but also the locker room as well. College camps would be huge for Sexton but for the moment, he must remain patient and keep plugging away, waiting for that 1st offer.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12668632/6031a8895ef7050c6cd4d834
10. Logan Crouch (6’6′ 300) – Tullahoma HS
– A massive, wide bodied young man who still has more development to go, Crouch is a people mover that embraces the physical aspect of the game and punishes his opponents whenever given the opportunity. The Wildcats senior to be fits best inside at guard where he can play in short spaces, pushing men back and using his power, weight opening holes for his running back. Crouch is already a big guy with weight to throw around but imagine getting him into a college strength & conditioning program and developing his body properly. He could become a force up front! That upside should urn interest from college programs with offers coming down the line.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11331782/603533e668900f01d46e7f02
Five Others to Know: Trevor Abdella (6’1 285) – Maryville, Bo Black (6’5 305) – Baylor Sch., Ryan Hacker (6’3 265) – Beech, Joshua Bland Joshua Bland 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Karns | 2022 State TN (6’5 300) – Knox. Central, Mason Richardson (6’3 265) – Summit