Another Wyoming commit, Lotz is one of the more athletic offensive linemen in the state. His straight-line speed stands out immediately and makes him look more like a linebacker or defensive end than an offensive tackle. Some of his highlights show him sprinting thirty yards downfield to make blocks. He gets to the second level as quickly as any big man I have seen in a long time. When he pulls across the formation, he comes down the line of scrimmage with bad intentions – routinely putting defenders on the ground. When he engages with a defender, he has the upper body strength to put defensive linemen on the ground and the quick feet to stay with smaller linebackers or even defensive backs – putting many of them on the ground too.

I got a little out of order here and am moving back down the rankings for our next Top Newcomer in #17 overall Brycen Lotz. The Braham High School offensive lineman is one of the biggest winners of this still-developing offseason and has burst into the D1 recruiting scene after his successful junior season with the Bombers. After a junior day visit to FCS national champions South Dakota State in mid-February, the Jackrabbits kicked off his recruitment with a big-time FCS offer, and after NIU, Minnesota, and Iowa State reached out with junior day invites, South Dakota and North Dakota State also joined in with scholarship offers. Those are some major first few offers for the Outstate offensive lineman, and at 6’5, 260 lbs. Lotz is far from done on the recruiting trail. On tape, the RT shows noticeable mobility and opens his tape by impressively driving an opponent almost 30 yards downfield, then following it up with a massive hit on a LB when working to the second level of the defense uninhibited. Also able to pull and swipe back across the LOS, his comfortability in space and with a full head of steam is impressive, as is his leg drive when he engages an opponent, and if he can hit the weight room hard this summer and add some strength he’s going to be a nightmare for opposing defenses to deal with next season. The athleticism already is there, and you have to trust an NDSU OL eval from our home state. Keep grinding, Brycen! Big things coming.