Top Returning O-lineman: Super Football Conference Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As our review of the Super Football Conference's top returning players continues, we now analyze the hog mollies along the offensive line. Today's edition features two smaller, more slight prospects and then three massive, behemoth-sized recruits. What do they all have in common? The get the job done. Read below to see how.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734113"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Despite playing at a Group I school, Shabazz - Newark, the Bulldogs have a massive college prospect roaming the halls. Coming in a 6'5u0022 315lbs is the OT [player_tooltip player_id='734113' first='Judah' last='Pruitt']. For the season, Pruitt was credited with 12 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 FR. He primarily played offense and took snaps at both RT and RG.rnrnGiven his college-ready frame, Pruitt moves really well for his size. He is called on to kick-out and fold block - both of which he is adept at. When he is down blocking he delivers, cracking down and sealing LBs to the point they cannot make a play. Perhaps the best thing Pruitt does is keep his moving through contact. This allows him to, routinely, send his assignment flying through the air or buried in the ground. He has the nastiness to finish his blocks too, often bench pressing defenders off of him and slinging them at least three yards away. One thing that I would advise Pruitt entering his senior year is to get more clips of him in pass protection on his film. This will cement himself in the mind of college recruiters.rnrnGiven his size, strength, and attitude when playing the game, Pruitt is certainly a D-I/D-IAA prospect. Between riding his coattails and the constant state of transfers in Newark Public Schools, it will be interesting to track Pruitt and the Bulldogs this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6422dff48ae23"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17185095/6386500719af9204c41fbd11' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6423aff36a9c4"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JudahPruitt58","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/JudahPruitt58 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734112"],"_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_0_evaluation":"The Pope John Lions have a massive specimen who specializes in the trenches. At 6'5u0022 260lb OT [player_tooltip player_id='734112' first='Justin' last='Platt'] towers over just about everyone on the field. He contributed on defensive as well, credited with 12 tackles, 2 TFL, and 1 blocked kick.rnrnWhat impressed me the most about this young lineman was his ability to bend. A lineman's bend, or general flexibility, is a severely underrated attribute in my opinion. It allows you to play with leverage, prevents injury, and increases your muscles' carrying capacity. You can also see this general athleticism on display when Platt is asked to move in space. Platt is ahead of his peers in this regard. Platt also possesses strong fundamentals when run blocking. He does as he is coached, loading his hands and violently punching defenders. He gets to the second level with ease and continues to drive LBs away from the play. Platt also possesses quick feet in pass protection, never being out of position. One area I would coach Platt up on is his pass protection form. To me, it seems that he has a forward lean when pass protecting. This makes him more inclined to lunge forward, and thus vulnerable to a defender who uses his hands well. Platt should keep a flat back and u0022situ0022 when in pass protection, wait and invite the defender to come towards him - his feet are more than quick enough to stay in front of rushers and his punch is strong enough that they will be frozen in their tracks.rnrnThere is a lot to like about Platt heading into his senior year. With ideal size to play any position on the o-line at the next level, the uncanny ability to bend, and being well coached, the sky is the limit for this sure-bet college prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6423aff36aa3e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11907373/64013381066b63138cb86f9a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6423aff36aa62"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/justinp91178844","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/justinp91178844 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734114"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Fresh off a 12-1, Group III state championship campaign, the Old Tappan Golden Knights have one big - both literally and metaphorically - part of their o-line returning. Back for his senior season is 6'7u0022 295lb LT [player_tooltip player_id='734114' first='Jack' last='Small']. With the irony of his last name being unfitting of his stature, Small played both ways making 79 tackles (11.5 TFL), 2 sacks, and 1 Int on defense. Small also plays basketball for Old Tappan.rnrnOn film you will notice that Small is a full body blocker when down blocking. He gets absolutely chest to chest, applying all his force, might, and effort into every block he throws. Small not only wants to drive you, he wants to bury and embarrass you. Make no mistake about it, Small plays with a nasty-physical style I have not yet seen from other o-linemen. Further, given how large of a man-child Small is, he is very effective sealing his inside gap when backside on a play. He is able to do so with quick feet and prevents defensive penetration because of a sturdy base. That nasty attitude manifests again in pass protection. Yes, he will relinquish ground in his pass set, but at some point he turns his pass set into a run block, often driving his matchup out of the frame. Two technical things I would love for Small to work on are to continue working his hands, fighting for inside leverage; and to make more definitive steps and avoid shuffling his feet.rnrnSmall plays with an attitude I have not yet seen scouting the state of New Jersey. Small gets one more full offseason working and grinding with the goal to go back-to-back as state champions. Fortunate for us fans, but unfortunate for his competition, the fruits of his labor will be on full display.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6423aff36aad2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16578950/6367f66b19a50509bc7989e6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6423aff36aaf2"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jack_small77","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/jack_small77 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734115"],"_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_0_evaluation":"The Northern Highlands Highlanders were a team that had question marks heading into the season. State finalists in 2021, they were also breaking in a new head coach. How would things go? Well, they repeated as state finalists again, losing a one score game to Millville in the Group IV final. One lineman, who happens to be very athletic, had much to do with maintaining the Highlander's way of excellence: [player_tooltip player_id='734115' first='Blake' last='Taranto']. Taranto also played DE and specials for Northern Highlands. The 5'11u0022, 165 pounder was credited with 31 tackles, 2 TFL, and 1 sack.rnrnThe first thing I noticed about Taranto was that he was a gunner on kick off. This speaks to his athleticism, versatility, effort, conditioning, and selflessness to his team. As such, he flew to the ball an leveled the returner. As a guard, Taranto is bought in, trusting his slide protection and that his teammates will be in position to do their job. He is in sync with his lineman as well. He sells and times his screens extremely well. Discipline is also a part of Taranto's game, as he does not get downfield when executing RPOs. Finally, he has quick feet to get his head on the outside of defenders on reach plays. An area I would coach Taranto up on is to turn his pass protection into a drive block should he get beat.rnrnTaranto is back for one more run at Northern Highland's elusive Group IV state championship. Perhaps the third time is the charm.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/15257380/Blake-Tarantou0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6423aff36ab5a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/blake_taranto1","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/blake_taranto1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734110"],"_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_0_evaluation":"The Union City Soaring Eagles have a massive o-line - they seemingly tower over everyone. At the left guard position, however, there is a bit of an anomaly. Coming in at 5'7u0022 180lb is a nasty, gritty, grinder-type lineman in [player_tooltip player_id='734110' first='Brandon' last='Paulino'].rnrnFrom the little bit of film I managed to find, Paulino gets just enough of the down lineman when doubling to get their shoulders turned. With disciplined backs running behind him, this opens up enough of a crease for them to see, find, and hit. Additionally, once he turns the down lineman, Paulino will climb to seal the second level. Perhaps the one thing he does best, Paulino is often called upon to be the lead blocker on buck sweep-type plays. He gets out in front of the back, excelling at neutralizing the first perceived threat. One thing Paulino can build upon his to keep his feet moving. He does a great job seeking out and initiating contact, but more consistent vertical displacement will occur as he pumps and drives his feet.rnrnPaulino will be back. So will, for my money, best executed Wing-T offense in the state, with revenge on their minds and Passaic County Tech their intended target. Revenge is a dish best served cold.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6423aff36abbe"} /-->