#321 –> #219

Before the season started, Ja’Mari was on my list of players who could have a breakout senior season. Turns out, that prediction came true.

First off, I did not expect Ja’Mari to be such a productive two-way player! On offense, I’m very impressed with his footwork and overall blocking fundamentals. He’s been making big holes for his RBs all season long, and that’s something I did not see in 2023.

Defensively, he’s able to bully smaller linemen. Watch some of his highlights against Byron Center. On a couple of occasions, Ja’Mari shoves the opposing lineman out of the way before making a tackle. Even against an elite offensive line (Muskegon), Ja’Mari is able to hold his ground.

He’s on the cusp of being a GLIAC prospect. Moving forward, I’d like to see a lot more explosiveness from Ja’Mari. Sometimes, he struggles to keep his feet moving on the defensive side of the ball. Still, he’s way more versatile than I was expecting. Excellent season so far!

Ja’Mari is another defensive lineman who I expect to take a step forward this fall. Most notably, Ja’Mari is an incredibly strong player. His ability to anchor himself on the defensive line, even against very good offensive lines, is great. His current skill set isn’t as well-rounded as I’d like, but his current form could still attract college offers. If Ja’Mari can improve his stamina, motor, and develop a good array of pass rush moves, he could shoot up the rankings quite easily. I’m waiting to see how Ja’Mari fares this season, but by gut tells me he’s about to have a strong season.

Although I haven’t watched Ja’Mari very closely in person, his film makes me optimistic. He has the size and strength to be a dominant interior defensive lineman, but currently lacks the stamina, athleticism, and skill to make the most of his good traits. There are plenty of solid plays on Ja’Mari’s highlight tape, though I fear he tires quickly. Fundamentally, Ja’Mari needs to learn a couple good rush moves. Using his power, he could find a lot of success stopping the run and rushing the passer. He just has to earn it.