The Puget Sound’s Top 2023 OLs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's cliche to say that the offensive line is the most important unit on the field, but it is true in a lot of ways. Without the big guys up front, an offense's pass and run game will struggle mightily, as they are the key cogs that allow the flashier pieces in the machine to shine. Luckily for any college coaches scouting the Puget Sound, there is no shortage of senior talent at this position area in 2022. In this piece, I will be looking at some of the big guys who will be manning the trenches on Friday nights this fall that could end up doing the same on Saturdays next year. Many of these guys are already committed to FBS programs, while several others are sleepers who will be looking to make a name for themselves this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f5ea0abda0a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["87417"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Earning First Team All-Lague on both offense and defense as a junior, Hatchett carries with him a meanstreak that will make him a force at the center position for the Washington Huskies as soon as he steps foot on campus. That starts with his aggressive initial punch, where he is able to stun defenders right away before driving them into the ground with his relentless leg drive. He is also a good athlete for a center, as Ferndale's offense tasked him with pulling more often than not and he was a great mover in space, something that will serve him well against the faster defenders at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["155547"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Already committed to USC, Banuelos is the perfect mixture of size, athleticism, and physicality on the offensive line. While his height likely limits him to an interior player at the next level, the Trojans should have no doubt that they are getting a stud on the inside, as Banuelos is just so smooth as an athlete and will fit well into Lincoln Riley's offense. His technique as a pass-blocker is also top-notch, as he does a good job of staying square and not reaching to get out of position. He does a good job of keeping a low pad level and driving through defenders on contact, something that will make him a difference-maker at the next level. In the meantime, he stands to have a big season for Kennedy Catholic in 2022.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["87413"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Possessing impressive size for the position and carrying with him a nasty mean streak, it's a wonder that Ozaeta is not ranked higher on national boards coming into the 2022 regular season. Already committed to the Sooners, Ozaeta is going to bring impressive athleticism to Norman next fall; watching him in space, it is easy to get fooled and think that he is a tight end with how smooth and quick his movement is. While he might be a little light to be a Power 5 tackle right now, I think getting him in a college weight program and putting on more muscle will do wonders for making him into a high-end player at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["87470"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Another player already committed to a Pac-12 school, Pritchard might be one of the most exciting players on this list simply because of his length. He has a true tackle build, standing at 6'5u0022 275, and while he could definitely afford to put on weight, the unique length he brings to the table is already a major selling point in its own right. That's not to say Pritchard only looks the part, though, because he is also a mauler in the run game who makes quick work of smaller defensive ends. The Cougars have had a lot of success with tackles from the Seattle area coming over and starring for them, and Pritchard could very well be next in line to do that.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["87433"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Yet another Puget Sound tackle committed to a big-time program, Cox will be taking his talents to Boise State in 2023, and they will certainly be happy to have him. Cox has a relentless motor in the run game, always keeping his feet driving on contact and burying defenders who dare to get in his way. Part of the reason he is so successful in this area is his low center of gravity; even though he is one of the taller players on this list, he does a good job of keeping a low pad level on contact with opponents. In pass protection, Cox uses his impressive size and footwork to stay in front of guys; once he gets his hands on a defender, that guy can forget about getting to the quarterback. One area that I think Cox could tend to improve is his overall physicality; while it is not bad by any means, I would like to see a little bit more of the bull in him once he gets his hands on a guy. Nevertheless, I expect Cox to have a big senior season for Eatonville and flourish at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["155582"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Martin is a nasty, physical center that has an excellent anchor in both the pass and run game, something which has allowed him to excel in both facets. Martin does an excellent job of always keeping his pad level low and striking through defenders, something which has allowed him to maintain good leverage even against linemen smaller than him. He also does an excellent job of keeping his feet moving on contact which allows him to create gaping holes for those running behind him. When pass blocking, Martin does a good job of keeping a wide, stable base and anchoring early so as to not allow defenders to get through or around him. I was really impressed by what I saw from Martin, and while he has a few FBS offers already on the table, it would not surprise me at all to see more come through over the course of his senior season.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["155640"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Another Eatonville player to make the list, Lewis offers an intriguing mix of size and athleticism for coaches at the next level. The first thing that stands out with Lewis is that he is so smooth as an athlete; he does a fantastic job of getting down the field on screens and pulls that make him someone that the defense has to factor for all over the field. An area of his game that I think Lewis could stand to improve is his pad level, as he can tend to get a little high at times and let defenders get into his chest. That being said, he has a very good frame to continue to put on strength, and with a handful of offers already and more assuredly on the way, I am excited to see what he does for Eatonville in 2022.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["333688"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"While Freitas may not get the attention he deserves lining up opposite [player_tooltip player_id='87413' first='Heath' last='Ozaeta'], he was one of the players that surprised me most when watching his junior tape. For starters, Freitas absolutely looks the part of a college offensive lineman, standing at an imposing 6'4u0022 300 and looking every bit of that on tape. He backs that size up with impressive technique, as I do not see a lot of lapses in the technical elements of the position and he is extremely sound in that regard. If Freitas could tend to improve in an area, it is simply keeping an attacking mindset; you can see the physicality on tape, but sometimes he allows defenders to get into his chest and simply walls them off rather than driving through them. Still, Freitas was a guy I was surprised by, and I am looking forward to seeing the lanes and pockets that he and Ozaeta can create this fall.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["333729"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Roberts is the son of a former NFL lineman, and you can see that pedigree when he lines up on the field. He brings impressive size to the tackle position and moves fairly well given his frame. He is also a master technician when it comes to pass blocking, as he does a great job of staying square with his feet and shadowing defenders in their pursuit of the quarterback. I would like to see him be a little more physical in the run game; while his impressive athleticism allows him to bully guys at this level, college coaches will probably like to see more from him going forward. Still, with everything that Roberts brings to the table, it's hard not to pound the table for him as the type of guy the right coach can develop into a major talent at the next level.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->