Big-time debut for Burnsville’s Carlos Noriega Carlos Noriega 6'2" | 260 lbs | OL Burnsville | 2028 State MN ! The younger brother of Mateo Noriega (Burnsville c/o 2022), who committed to NDSU as a walk-on but never showed up on a roster, 2028 OT Carlos was a varsity starter in the trenches for a Class 5A Metro competitor at LT. The younger Noriega produced some good tape as a first-year starter last fall, as he can overwhelm defenders and finish routine down and 1v1 blocks in impressive physical fashion. Against high-quality defenders too! The young Blaze OL displays light, active feet, and he does a great job of driving his legs after he gets his paws on an opponent. He also has the strength to drive large school DL flat onto their backs and demonstrates active, effective hand usage. Noriega has a good understanding of leverage and how to manipulate a DL once they get out of position or off-balance in order to get them on the ground, and he will also bully defenders if given the chance. PRZMN was also impressed how Noriega smoothly climbs to the second level and shows the ability to drop his hips and eliminate LBs and DBs once he puts the pads on them, and he’s also able to finish defenders in pass pro. Plus, he reports 315 bench, 225 clean, and 475 deadlift. Don’t be surprised if this kid continues to climb the Big Board throughout his prep career.

A varsity starter at LT as only a sophomore, Noriega is an OL who could make waves in the future. He’s a forceful run-blocker who can put a defender on skates once he gets going. When Noriega is able to get a defender to the second level, he does a great job of finishing his block to the ground. He’s shown that he can work to the second level to hit LBs in the run game, and also possesses a nasty push-pull move, which he is able to utilize in both pass-pro and run blocking. I’m eager to see more of Noriega going forward.