’23 Preseason Super 7 – Class 3A Offensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-5a-offensive-linemen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5A Super 7 Pre-Season O-Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-4a-offensive-linemen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4A Super 7 Pre-Season O-Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-quarterbacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 QBs</a>&nbsp;(scroll down)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-running-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 RBs</a>&nbsp;(scroll down)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-receivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 WRs (scroll down</a>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-a-tight-ends/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 TEs (scroll down</a>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa –&nbsp;</strong>We've reached July. A new high school football season is right around the corner. It will be here before we know it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To help get us prepared, we're listing seven top players returning at each position in all seven classes. You can read about the positions we've covered at the links above.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've reached the O-Line. We keep rolling with Class 3A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='247974' first='Brennen' last='Blegen'], '24, Benton Community - </strong>Blegen (6-3, 275) shines as a force on both sides of the trench when you watch his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11930072/636efe2e0dc0190db037eaa5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>. He blows up plays coming from the interior of the defensive line. On offense, that athleticism and quickness also play. He impresses more on defense than offense on the highlights, but I like the potential at guard or center, too. He reports scholarship offers from North Dakota and others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Drew Hickey, '24, ADM - </strong>The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Hickey was the only non-senior among the 10 guys the IPSWA named to its all-state teams in '22. The Tigers fell to eventual 3A champion Harlan in the state semifinals last season in the UNI-Dome. Hickey isn't the heaviest guy up front, but as you can see watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13278886/6359f0aeab924c0530ba2e7c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>, he moves well and plays with solid technique. His quickness allows him to reach linebackers regularly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='252320' first='Aidan' last='Bernard'], '25, Independence - </strong>Bernard (6-1, 200) stands out as an all-around athlete. He ranked second on the Mustang basketball team in scoring (12.2 PPG) and rebounding (5.0 RPG) as a sophomore this past winter, earning second-team all-conference honors. He <a href="https://twitter.com/BradyMcDonald_1/status/1659769981976887297?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">finished sixth at state</a> in the 3A shot put. He has a frame to add muscle and strength, which, combined with his athleticism, makes him an intriguing prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320768' first='Max' last='Chapman'], '24, Creston -</strong> At 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, Chapman could project on either side of the ball. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13412974/6339f11d3863870120bd3d4a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong> reveal a disruptive force as a three-man-front defensive end. He often turns aside would-be blockers with relative ease. He also sticks out in pursuit. Like Bernard, he could end up making tackles at the next level. However, the traits that make him a solid defensive prospect also feeds success on offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tavian Gorsch, '24, Mount Vernon - </strong>Gorsch (6-2, 275) helped the Mustangs reach the state championship game last season as a standout, two-way lineman. It's earned him campus invites from smaller colleges in the region. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11832322/635ade7d8cd40b14303b8dd6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong> give us a look at a quick big guy capable of mixing it up off the snap or taking out defenders while on the move. He provides a heck of a push from the inside of the D-Line as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320834' first='Gavin' last='Rolling'], '24, North Polk - </strong>The Comet roster from '22 listed Rolling at 6-3, 250. He showed during his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14736140/640802cb5ca9780644244088" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong> that he knows how to use his size. He reacts well at the snap, getting into his opponent and driving in the run game, and setting up quickly with good balance and hand use on pass protection. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360745' first='Grant' last='Wilson'], '25, Solon -<em> </em></strong>Wilson (5-11, 225) is a personal favorite of mine. I've seen him play in person on multiple occasions. He's pure power from the center position, where he uses excellent leverage and technique against taller opponents. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16327312/63687843bd6b0009b42a12f4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sophomore highlights</a></strong> tell us that he played 532 snaps with two sacks allowed last fall. He has a good understanding of his assignments and how to carry them out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->