Another top OL prospect Willmar. Hayden is a massive 6’6″ 270 lbs, and his technique was among the best I have seen this summer. Hayden plays with high level strength and hands. Some of the highlights his power and hands have made jump off the tape. His excellent footwork and technique also make it easy for him to drive level one off the ball. Venenga isn’t just a mauler in the run game either. He stood out at the camp in one on ones because of his light feet, mobility, and hand usage. He is a well rounded prospect with offers from the D3 to FCS levels. Big things are ahead for Hayden.

Venenga comes off the line of scrimmage with a low pad level and with purpose. He has nice body control – allowing him to get his hips and, most times, the defender – quickly turned away from the running back. He has the awareness to get off blocks when he sees a more immediate threat – affecting more than one defender on some plays. The junior has great footwork, whether to get up the field, slide down the line of scrimmage, or in pass pro. He is a solid finisher, too – credited with 47 pancake blocks.

With a notable spurt of in-state Gophers offers to the 2024 class occurring this season and the OL position always crucial in the recruiting scene, Willmar’s 6’6, 255 lber. Hayden Venenga is a name that Gopher fans should be keeping an eye on during the offseason and for the next cycle. The LT has visited the Gophers twice this fall, as well as SDSU and UND, and the junior film is looking great, as his length and the room he has to fill in would make a collegiate S&C coach excited but still shows strength in his initial punch and on second effort. He looks balanced and flexible for a kid of his size, and has authoritative reps in both run and pass blocking. If he can add a little more pop in the strength department and can dominate more consistently I can definitely see a P5 lineman on tape, but he’s already an athletic ball of clay that collegiate OL coaches love to get their hands on and mold. Big name to keep an eye on the rest of this school year and beyond!