Offensive line group stands out at Top Prospect

The offensive line group at Monday’s Sharp Performance Top Prospect event was likely the strongest position group from top to bottom.

Several top recruits in the state stood out, displaying an impressive mix of size and athleticism, while a number of rising prospects increased their profile with strong performances in one-on-ones.

One of the coaches in attendance helped us evaluate the offensive line prospects, a group he called the best of any camp he had worked.

Find his evaluations of some of the top performers below:

Braxton Bailey, McPherson, 6-2.75, 309, 2022 (@BraxtonBailey9) - Bailey will finish his senior year at McPherson as a three-year starter. He is a strong and physical football player who plays for a perennial 4A West powerhouse. At the SP Top Prospect Camp, Bailey excelled in run game drill work and demonstrated good footwork in pass pro fundamentals. During the 1v1 OL/DL work, he struggled at times with counter moves, which has not been a typical outcome for him. As he heals from a foot injury, it is expected that he will get back to form and be a dominant player up front for the Bullpups in 2021.

Camden Beebe, KC-Piper, 6-3, 315, 2023 (@Cbeebe_56) - Beebe is a physical football player with a strong family pedigree of success on the football field post high school. He appears to be a little heavy at his current weight, but he is able to overcome shortcomings in movement skills by playing with nastiness. At the Top Prospect Camp he played all-out through every snap and had heavy hands in the run game fundamentals. He didn’t lose too many battles in 1v1 pass pro, and it was a testament to his savviness at the position and gritty demeanor. He will continue to be a dominant force in the run game, and as his technique and body improves, he will equal that efficacy in pass pro.

Christopher Cain, Mission Valley, 6-6.25, 254, 2022 (@Christo56603897) - Cain is tall and has excellent length. He played tall at times in run game fundamentals, but his length and base help mitigate that flaw. In 1v1 pass pro his length was on display. While he had some issues with counter pass rush moves, he showed some savvy to handle speed rushers and anchored on the corner of the rush. If he maintains his weight, his film will show him to be one of the best offensive linemen at not only the 2A level, but the entire state.

Drew Daniels, Andover Central, 6-2, 266.6, 2022 (@DrewDaniels_68) - Daniels is a returning two-way all league performer and projects as a center/guard at the college level. He is just scratching the surface as an offensive lineman. He showed the mean streak that pops on his film during drill work in run and pass game fundamentals. In 1v1s he was receptive to coaching and made improvements throughout. This is impressive as he rarely lost battles in the period. As he continues to refine his technique in pass pro he will be an even more dominant force up front. Daniels is part of an impressive group of players along the line that should have the Jaguars on track for another deep playoff run this fall.

J.J. Evans, Hutchinson, 6-2, 235, 2022 (@JJEvans_67) - Evans has made considerable improvement in his play strength and athleticism through the offseason and will battle for a starting spot along the offensive line for the resurging Hutchinson Salthawk football program. He showed solid technique in run game fundamentals and really battled during 1v1 pass pro.

Kaden Fields, Osawatomie, 6-4, 299.6, 2022 (@KadenFields4) - Fields transitioned to playing only offensive line at the Top Prospect Camp and his improvement from the start to finish built some confidence in the big tackle/guard prospect. He has good length and excellent play strength. If he can transfer the athleticism he shows on the defensive line to the offensive side of the ball, he will dominate both lines of scrimmage in the fall and could prove to be a Top 5 offensive lineman in Kansas.

Hank Fuchs, Lawrence Free State, 6-2, 218, 2024 (@fuchs_hank) - As the son of new University of Kansas offensive line coach Scott Fuchs, and being just a sophomore, Hank is a relative unknown in Kansas. He showed a willingness to use his hands in run game fundamentals and had an awareness of aiming points in his footwork. Young, with likely more growing to do, Fuchs showed he belonged having some success against some of the best defensive linemen Kansas has to offer.

Shelby Giersch, Concordia, 5-11.25, 256, 2022 (@GierschShelby) - Giersch is coming off a knee injury sustained early in the spring high school baseball season. He performed well throughout run and pass game fundamental work and had some solid reps in 1v1 pass pro. Once he gets back to his pre-injury form, Giersch and teammate Dalton Owen will make for a formidable duo up front for the Panthers.

Brandon Kerr, Maize, 6-1.5, 260, 2022 (@brandonkerr52) - Kerr is consistently a top performer at any camp he goes to. While he doesn’t fit the mold as it pertains to length and weight, his play strength is fantastic and his technique is as well. He is able to play on the line of scrimmage with pass rushers and mirror his hips to cover them up. He understands how to press leverage with his hands and mitigate any size differential he comes across. The kid can flat out play.

Alex Key, Derby, 6-4, 290, 2022 (@alexkey_02) - Key repped primarily at tackle, but most likely projects as a guard at the next level. He looks to have put on some good weight over the past two months and performed really well in run/pass game fundamentals.  In 1v1 pass pro Key rarely lost battles and was coachable to improve on his next rep. He has heavy hands which will help him handle speed and power rushers. He is a “Key” part of what is shaping up to be a very special offensive line at Derby.

Check out interviews with Key, Peine and more, here.

Angel Luna, Salina Central, 6-3, 258, 2022 (@angelluna_54) - Luna will be part of an outstanding duo of tackles for Salina Central along with senior Mykell Williams. He is just scratching the surface of his ability as an offensive lineman. He showed excellent technique in run/pass game fundamentals and moving in space.  Using violent and accurate hands in 1v1 pass pro was a deficiency but he showed athleticism through his set and was able to recover well when he gave up an edge.

Dalton Owen, Concordia, 6-3, 297, 2022 (@daltonowen16) - Owen had a fantastic Fort Hays camp in 1v1 pass pro as the period was half-shell. He definitely shows better when he has the pads on. He is physical and can manipulate defenders well when they are padded. As he improves his pass set awareness, he will continue to be a force to be reckoned with at Concordia and projects to be one of the better offensive linemen in Kansas.

Chaylin Peine, Anderson County, 6-5, 285, 2022 (@chaylinpeine) - Peine has plenty of length and has primarily repped at the guard spot. He improved through the afternoon at the prospect camp in being more physical with his hands and trusting his feet and put together some really good reps. This kid is very underrated, but it is expected that his tape this coming season will start to set him apart and offer him some opportunity at the next level.

Braden Polifka, 6-0, 235, Quinter, 2023 (@BradenPolifka) - As just a Junior, Polifka has shown considerable improvement at the center position in the past 5 months attending Sharps Football Academy. He had some impressive reps against some great competition in 1v1 pass pro and showed both physicality and technique awareness throughout the period.  He is certainly a prospect to watch out of Quinter and will be a top 8 Man lineman for the next two years. 

Colt Sell, Chapman, 6-1, 275, 2022 (@ColtSell) - Sell came into the camp being asked to do things that are not customary to the type of offense run at Chapman HS.  He was very coachable and his athleticism and competitiveness were certainly on display.  With a refined focus on technique, he could certainly find some offers coming his way. 

Noah Smith, Lawrence, 6-4, 295, 2022 (@noah74smith) - Smith showed that he has the size and ability to play at the next level. His feet aren’t sudden but they are efficient and he trusts them. He stayed square in pass pro and throughout the day, improved his post hand to flatten out defenders on counters. His size and effort are what set him apart. Noah should be recognized towards the top of the offensive line list in Kansas and will be a steal for anyone who gets his commitment. 

Jonas Vickers, Derby, 6-2, 310, 2022 (@jonas_vickers) - Vickers is an integral part of the impressive offensive line at Derby HS.  He has good size inside at the guard position and could project to center as well.  He has good feet and excellent play strength. He showed that he can hang with anyone during 1v1 pass pro reps and put together an impressive session.

Mykell Williams, Salina Central, 6-6, 285, 2022 - Williams is entering his first year as an offensive lineman at Salina Central. He has measurables that you just can't coach in size and length. He naturally widens defenders with his set and his reach is hard to get around with speed rushes. He plays with heavy hands and will be equally dominant in the run game. He is under the radar, but his film in the fall will definitely put him on the map.

Look for more coverage of the Top Prospect event later this week.