2022 State of Arkansas Deep Offensive Line Class Part Three
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In the first two parts of this article, we have learned that many of the offensive lines have several solid players that they lean on heavily. We will finish up the offensive line examination for the 2022 class and get…
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Continue ReadingIn the first two parts of this article, we have learned that many of the offensive lines have several solid players that they lean on heavily. We will finish up the offensive line examination for the 2022 class and get a better early look at the potential with the offensive line grouping.
The Fordyce Redbugs have won back-to-back state championships and have used a strong offensive line to help accomplish this feat. The Redbugs have two mainstays on the offensive line in the forms of Dakota Wimberly Dakota Wimberly 6'3" | 325 lbs | OL Fordyce | 2022 State AR at the guard position and Carson Williams at the center. The versatility that Wimberly and Williams each have is impressive. Both have played both sides of the ball, so the possibility exists that they can play the defensive side of the ball. Wimberly is a powerful player at guard and does not have trouble opening rushing lanes. Meanwhile, Williams displays quickness and a knack for being able to run and pass block in a solid fashion. Both Williams and Wimberly have the potential to play on Saturdays.
In this list of players, we are discovering that more of the offensive linemen also play on the defensive side of the ball. Braxton Johnson Braxton Johnson 6'0" | 300 lbs | OL North Little Rock | 2022 State AR out of North Little Rock High School fits that description well. Johnson does a terrific job of opening up the rushing lanes for the Charging Wildcats. However, I would expect him to see coaches look at him as more of a defensive tackle at the next level. He is more than capable of playing on the offensive of the ball and I would expect his recruiting to take off over the offseason.
One offensive lineman that I expect to shoot up the Prep RedZone 2022 rankings is Bryant offensive tackle Brooks Edmonson. Edmonson does a solid job as a pass blocker. He is quick out of the snap and gets into the defensive lineman quickly. He does an impressive job as a run blocker as well. Edmonson is a very quick offensive lineman. He is out of the snap quickly and always looking to get into the second level from a blocking perspective. Tremendous potential and upside exist with Edmonson, he is a player that can play on Saturdays.
Over the years, the Cabot Panthers have done a good job of producing talent that sees the field on Saturdays. Landen Ashlin Landen Ashlin 6'2" | 290 lbs | OL Cabot | 2022 State AR has the potential to be the next Panther to see the gridiron on Saturdays. Ashlin held down the center position for Cabot this year and did a terrific job in the process. Ashlin fires out of his stance and does a good job getting into the defensive tackle and the nose guards. He has the potential to be overpowering and is a good drive blocker. Ashlin has tremendous potential and I look forward to seeing what he does this offseason and going into next season.
Saumel Nieves is a player that is going under the radar that has the potential to explode this offseason and next season. Nieves is a powerful run blocker for the Jacksonville Titans and plays with a mean streak that scouts and coaches look for in an offensive lineman. Nieves has the power to just completely shutdown opposing defensive linemen. What will surprise people when they look at the tape is how quick Nieves is out of the stance and driving the opposing defensive linemen. Plenty of potential here in Nieves and he is a player that I expect to have an excellent season next season.
Closing out this early look at the offensive line grouping for 2022 is Dollarway High School’s Kaviyon Neal. Neal is an explosive player out of the stance. He has played all along the offensive line for Dollarway and excels at run blocking. Neal has tremendous quickness, and he uses it to his advantage. Neal is someone that I expect to have a big offseason and even bigger season.