Behind the Rankings: 2023 Offensive Linemen
With the 2023 high school football season getting closer to kickoff, our initial rankings for the class of 2023 have been officially published for the state of Kentucky. Over the next couple weeks, I will go into detail on how…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2023 high school football season getting closer to kickoff, our initial rankings for the class of 2023 have been officially published for the state of Kentucky. Over the next couple weeks, I will go into detail on how the rankings at each position came to be. Now that I have covered the skill players, I will wrap up the offensive side of the ball with the big guys up front that make everything go. This position group is filled with a ton of college level talent, making it very hard to rank them. With that being said, here are my top offensive linemen in the state of Kentucky for the class of 2023.
1. Malachi Wood| 6’8″, 280 lbs.| Madison Central High School| Junior Year Film
Malachi Wood is an offensive lineman that has burst onto the recruiting scene quickly over the past couple seasons. As his measurements indicate, the first thing that stands out when you watch Wood is that he is a massive offensive tackle. However, he is more than just a big body. In the run game, Wood does an outstanding job of running his feet on contact to drive his opponent and create movement off the line of scrimmage. Once he gets going, he is an aggressive finisher that frequently ends his block with a pancake. In pass protection, Wood has a quick pass set with the ability to mirror pass rushers off the edge. He also does a great job of keeping a strong anchor technique, not allowing any opportunity for defenders to get into his inside gap. Wood is committed to stay close to home and play at Kentucky, and will look to be a key piece of a very talented Madison Central team that looks poised to make a deep playoff run this year.
2. Tristan Cook| 6’5″, 300 lbs.| Woodford County High School| Junior Year Film
Another offensive lineman that has been discussed frequently in recruiting conversations in the state is Tristan Cook from Woodford County. Cook is a big, physical offensive guard that does a great job of driving his feet on first contact to move his man out of the picture. He has an explosive first step out of his stance and doesn’t break stride once he gets inside position with his hands on the opposing defensive lineman. Cook also shows the ability to get to the second level and block linebackers in open space. In the passing game, Cook does a great job of keeping a strong base and being a brick wall, not allowing opposing defensive linemen to get much movement off the line of scrimmage. Tristan is one of multiple prospects from the state of Kentucky that are committed to play at Ball State and he should be able to find himself a role there early in his collegiate career.
3. Trevon Alexander| 6’7″, 345 lbs.| North Hardin High School| Junior Year Film
Over the past few seasons, the state of Kentucky has been producing a ton of Division I talent on the offensive line. Trevon Alexander is another example of that type of special prospect. Alexander is a big, athletic offensive guard that has also seen some snaps at right tackle in his time at North Hardin. The first thing that stands out with Alexander is that he creates a ton of movement off the line of scrimmage. He has a very explosive first step and drives his defender down the field. Once he gets his man moving down the field, Alexander finishes his blocks through the whistle, often ending in a pancake. His athleticism comes into play in the passing game as he has very quick feet for his size in his pass drops, allowing him to mirror opposing defensive linemen. Alexander currently holds offers from Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come as he is a prototypical offensive guard that has the versatility to move outside if needed.
4. Austin Anderson| 6’4″, 290 lbs.| Bowling Green High School| Junior Year Film
Austin Anderson is an offensive lineman that I have been very high on this summer. Anderson plays a key role in the success of the Bowling Green football team as he has played all five positions on the offensive line during his time with the Purples. While he does possess the versatility to play anywhere on the line, I like him the most on the inside at guard. One of the main things I like about Anderson’s game is his ability to open up and pull, and serve as a lead blocker in space. Once he turns up the field as a pulling guard, he does a great job of finding work and driving defenders out of the picture. He is an aggressive finisher, driving his opponent through the whistle. Anderson is also reliable in pass protection, showing the ability to gain inside position with his hands, making it very hard for defensive linemen to shed his blocks. Austin is currently committed to Liberty where I believe he will find a key role and thrive.
5. Demoni Taylor| 6’4″, 265 lbs.| North Hardin High School| Junior Year Film
Anyone who gets the opportunity to line up in the backfield for North Hardin this season should feel very lucky as they are protected by two Division I caliber studs in Trevon Alexander and Demoni Taylor. While Alexander works from the inside, Taylor lines up at left tackle. Taylor is at his most dangerous in the run game as he plays with a high motor and is a very aggressive finisher. He drives his defender down the field and won’t stop his feet until they are buried in the turf or the whistle has been blown. Taylor also shows impressive ability to pull from the tackle spot and find defenders to block in the open field. He also does a great job in pass pro, displaying quick feet and the ability to keep working. Taylor will continue to drop as deep as he needs to in order to stay in front of the opposing defender and always keeps his head on a swivel to find work if there is no threat in his area. Demoni currently holds offers from Indiana State, Southeast Missouri State, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Austin Peay, UT Martin, and Murray State. I expect that offers list to grow as he goes into his senior year as he definitely has the skill set to play at the Division I level.
Best of the Rest (Players included in Top 150):
6. Braiden Myers| 6’5″, 280 lbs.| Southwestern High School| Junior Year Film
7. Andrew Hobbs| 6’5″, 305 lbs.| Central Hardin High School| Junior Year Film
8. Preston Crosley| 6’7″, 290 lbs.| Daviess County High School| Junior Year Film
9. Quintez Thomas| 6’5″, 360 lbs.| Louisville Eastern High School| Junior Year Film
10. Drew Dickerson| 6’5″, 310 lbs.| Ryle High School| Junior Year Film
11. Matthew Morris| 6’4″, 250 lbs.| Louisville Eastern High School| Junior Year Film
12. Zane Mullins| 6’4″, 280 lbs.| Lincoln County High School| Junior Year Film
13. Carson Mattingly| 5’11”, 255 lbs.| Nelson County High School| Junior Year Film