Inside the Huddle: 2016 Offensive Lineman

Over the past few years you have had players like Laremy Tunsil and Martez Ivey come out of the sun-shine state. This year while there are some talented lineman none compare to those two former All-Americans. The class of 2016 will feature more top interior lineman. The name that heads the list is none other than Baveon Johnson of Lake Gibson High School. He gives you some versatility as a guard/center type prospect. We will not only discuss Baveon but some of the other top lineman in the Sunshine State.

1) Baveon Johnson-Lake Gibson-6’3-330 pounds-(Committed to Florida State)-We had the opportunity to watch Johnson last summer at a football camp. Johnson was less than 300 pounds. Since then he has put on over 25-30 pounds. While it is not all great weight he has become much bigger and stronger. He has a very good base and Johnson is almost impossible for defensive lineman to move off the ball. He is going to play center this fall and that move could really pay off for Johnson. He would be the top rated Guard or Center on our board. (Comparison: Rodney Hudson-Florida State)

2) Stewart Reese-Ft Pierce Central-6’6’300 pounds-Reese is linemen that can star at either tackle or guard at the next level. He is a massive human being. What you have to like about Reese is while he has not reached his potential the upside is there for him to be very good in college. He is a big kid who can move well. He is an athletic big man. You put him against another teams best pass rusher and Reese will more than hold his own. (Comparison: Jawuan James-Tennessee)

3) Jordan  Johnson-Ed White-6’3-265-Johnson brother was a four year starter at Rutgers. Of the two we feel that Jordan is already ahead of his brother at the same age. Jordan is a much better athlete and has more upside. He is a big kid that can move well. What we like about Johnson is his frame will allow him to put on the needed weight to excel at the next level. He is also a very good run blocking lineman. He can get out into space and get to the 2nd level to take on a linebacker or defensive back. (Comparison: Caleb Johnson-Rutgers University)

4) Tyler Gerald-IMG Academy-6’5-300-(Committed to Ohio State)-One thing you will watch on film is Gerald come off one guy who he just blocked and finish off a 2nd defender. He plays with solid technique. He is not the most athletic lineman so we see him more as a guard in college. (Comparison: Tyler Moore-University of Florida)

5)Parker Braun-Osceola-6’4-270-Braun is the type of player that even his opposition respect. He is not the biggest lineman but Braun brings some athleticism to the position. He comes off the ball very well, gets on his guy and finishes his block. You have to like the passion and intensity that Braun plays with. The biggest question with Braun is how much weight he can put on his frame. He plays tackle but looks more suited to playing guard or center. (Comparison: Andrew Datko-Florida State) 

6) Andrew Boselli-Episcopal-6’4-305-If the last name sounds familiar it should. Andrew father Tony was one of the best offensive linemen to ever come out of high school and college. He also had a very good pro career. While his father played tackle we see Andrew more as a guard or center in college. You watch him on film and Andrew plays with good technique. He also uses very good hand placement. You don’t see him getting overpowered on any play. Andrew is raw but the potential is there for him to be very good in college. (Comparison: Chris Myers-University of Miami) 

7) Solomon Kindley-Raines-6’5-345 pounds-Kindley is not your typical high school lineman. He may very well be the biggest offensive lineman in this year’s class. We feel that Jackson can play tackle but is more suited to playing guard in college. He is a road grading type lineman. There are very few guys at the high school level that can handle him. (Comparison: University of Miami Orlando Franklin)

8) Jaylen Miller-Providence-6’4-270-(Committed to Duke)-Miller shows off his athletic ability as he plays on both sides of the football. When he comes off the ball Miller has bad intentions. He tries to put his guy right into the ground. He does a solid job of turning his guy away from the play. We like the way he uses his hands. He also has pretty good feet for a lineman. You would like to see him be a little more explosive.

9) Ean Biancardi-Lake Wales-6’4-295-Ean is another guy that plays tackle but will most likely move inside to guard in college. He does not really have the size or length to play on the outside. If he plays tackle it will be more of a right tackle. His strength is also run blocking. We could even see him move inside to center in college. (Comparison: Frank Souza-Wake Forest)

10)Marcus Tatum-Mainland-6’6-260 pounds-Tatum is one of the few natural left tackle prospects on the board. He is a legit 6’5 if not taller. While he only weighs 260 pounds right now his frame should allow him to add another 30-40 pounds without much of a problem. He has the size and length you look for in a tackle prospect. He also moves pretty well for an offensive tackle. Right now you can use him as an extra blocking tight end on run plays. (Comparison: Kavaris Harkless-University of Florida)

11) Parker Boudreaux-Bishop Moore-6’4-290-Paker is another player that goes both ways on the football field. You will see him line up on the offensive line and play defensive end/tackle on some plays. He is a guy that is most likely going to have to play guard in college. He does not have great length to handle the big, long athletic defensive ends that Parker will face in college. Put him at guard or center and he can more than hold his own. He is a good enough athlete to use in a zone blocking scheme. (Comparison: Shane McDermott-University of Miami)

12) Christion Gainer-Bay High School-6’5-280 pounds-Gainer is a prospect we had the chance to watch in person last summer. He is a prospect that intrigues us.  He is versatile enough to play multiple positions in college. We like his size and length for an offensive lineman. He does play a little high so you would like to see him work on his technique. Overall he is a prospect that has enough upside to take, red-shirt and develop him into a starter a couple years down the road. (Comparison: Roderick Johnson-University of Florida)

13) Keldrick Cesar-Miami Edison-6’3-280-Cesar is a prospect that caught our eye last year. We had the chance to watch him live. At times he can be a very good lineman. He needs to work on his consistency. His biggest issue right now is doing great on one play and getting whipped on the next one. If can learn how to play on every down, watch out. (Comparison: Torrian Wilson-UCF)

14) Stone Forsythe-West Orange-6’6-325-One thing Stone has is the pedigree. His father not only played college football but also in the NFL. Stone is not the most fleet of foot but you can’t teach his size. He is a massive human being. Put him inside at guard and just let him drive forward. He is not a lineman that you are going to ask to pull. He is a straight line guy who will try and knock his guy off his feet. He is a raw prospect but there is enough upside for him to get some looks this spring. (Comparison: Carl Johnson-University of Florida)

15) Brett Heggie-Mount Dora-6’4-290-Heggie plays center but could also see some time at guard in college. His biggest issue right now is putting some more weight on his frame to play at the next level. He is a guy that plays with a bit of a nasty streak. He looks for someone to hit on every play. (Comparison: Robert Conyers-University of Mississippi)

Most Underrated: Tre Johnson-First Academy: 6’7-300 pounds-Johnson is not well known but by the end of spring football we expect that to change. He is the most underrated offensive lineman in Florida. We would not be shocked to see him develop into a top 10-15 prospect along the offensive line this fall.

Not be overlooked: Kennan Forbes-Everglades-6’4-270, Mike Wiggs-Lake Gibson-6’3-275, Myron Hagins-Vanguard-6’5-240, Nathan Haskins-Boone-6’4-250, Sadarren Moody-Fletcher-6’3-275, Jawaan Taylor-Cocoa-6’5-350, Lawrence Edwards-Spruce Creek-6’5-240 pounds, Kenzy Degrand-North Miami-6’4-275, Roodney Leon-Deerfield Beach-6’5-280.