Robert Essie Robert Essie 6'3" | 270 lbs | OL Mounds View | 2026 State MN was such a dominant athlete on the field for Mounds View, and he’s a name that deserved mentioning for the potential he holds with the D1-level size and athleticism that he boasts. Essie is a rock on the line, proving difficult to push back. However, he’s just as effective on the run as a pull-blocker, showing great footwork and surprising speed to get to the outside lanes. Essie’s presence helped with the Mustangs’ resurgence in 2024 posting their best record since 2019, and with Essie in the lineup, Mounds View could be dark horse contenders to contend for the Class 6A state title in 2025.

Essie uses his hands well at the point of attack. With obvious good upper body strength, he can extend his arms to keep blockers off his body. With that space, he gets off blocks or can at least manipulate the blocker to stay in the play. His first step off the snap is quick and decisive. Essie has position flexibility. He plays defensive end and nose in the Mustangs’ three-man front. He sets the edge really well, but with his arm extension, he still makes plays while maintaining the edge. The junior holds his ground well when being double-teamed. He has a knack for putting pressure on the punter – he has multiple punt blocks. As a right tackle, Essie is explosive off the line of scrimmage, has excellent hips, and is athletic enough to pull and make blocks in space.

A two-way starter for a Mounds View team that made a state appearance last season, Essie is one of the most underrated big men in 6A football. I’ve long believed that he’s among the better offensive linemen in 6A. Essie possesses a powerful frame and at times he flashes very promising quick footwork which he uses to great effect when stifling high-level defensive linemen. When he gets to the second level he can decimate LBs, and while he’s a successful OT at the prep level, I feel as if he could seamlessly transition to the IOL during college. On defense, Essie is a rock. He’s a big DT who can clog up run lanes and is incredibly difficult to displace one-on-one. Essie needs more attention before what I think will be a giant senior year.