2008 Top 25 Positioner: Offensive Tackles

Florida State, Ohio State and Nebraska boast commitments from the top three players

Nov. 1, 2007

By Tom Lemming

Special to CSTV.com


	TOM LEMMING Tom is CSTV's college football recruiting analyst, and writes for CSTV.com regularly. E-mail here!

CSTV Recruiting Expert Tom Lemming has highlighted the top recruits in the country with his Class of 2008 Top 100. Now he's broken down each position into its own Top 25. With the season underway and signing day rapidly approaching, CSTV.com will highlight the top recruits at each position with Lemming's personal insights on the players who will be the next stars of college football.

Top 25 Offensive Tackles

1. Kyle Long (Committed to Florida State - 6-7, 285, 4.8 - Charlottesville-St. AB, VA)

He is the No. 1 prospect in the state of Virginia and believe it or not, there is a chance that he may wind up playing baseball instead of football in college. In my opinion that would be a shame. This is a great athlete who can outrun RB's to the end zone. He may have just scratched the surface of his potential but if he concentrates on just football, he has All-American ability at both the DE and LT positions.

I visited with Kyle and I was impressed with his confidence, work ethic and natural athletic ability. He is the son of NFL hall of famer Howie Long and the brother of Virginia All-American Chris Long.

Watching his whole season on film, the first thing that struck me was his ability to run. This guy is very fast, the motor is always going, has an aggressive style of play and looks thin at 285 pounds. He has the perfect frame to become a dominating pass rusher at the DE position, but also the perfect frame to weigh around 320 pounds and become a dominating LT. You never see him get knocked backwards. In fact, he is always the one doing the knocking. He dominates the line of scrimmage with strength, lateral speed and instincts. The good thing about Kyle is that he is always learning. He's always improving, never makes the same mistake twice and uses that super quickness, agility and mobility to fight off double teams and find the ball. He would have to rank as one of the nation's top 20 prospects. He graded out at over 90 percent in his blocking assignments at LT and had an All-American second half of last season. He wears No. 58 in honor of his idol Jack Lambert.

Ranked No. 11 overall in the Class of 2008.

2. Mike Adams (Committed to Ohio State - 6-8, 300, 5.3 - Dublin-Coffman, OH)

He is the No. 1 prospect in the state of Ohio and one of the nation's top three tackles.

I first met Mike down in San Antonio at the Army All-American Junior Combine and he stood out among a group of the nation's premiere OL prospects, not only in height, but also in performance. He plays LT on film, and plays it well. He is an expert pass blocker who can slide and mirror, can extend his arms and keep defenders at bay. He also impresses you with his ability to get out and block on the second level. He sets up quickly when pass blocking and always seems to be playing under control. He can redirect and is technically sound. He is a premiere ball player and one of the more aggressive offensive players in the Midwest.

Ranked No. 30 overall in the Class of 2008.

3. Baker Steinkuhler (Committed to Nebraska - 6-5, 275, 4.9 - Lincoln-Southwest, NE)

The son of all-time Nebraska great Dean Steinkuhlar, Baker is well on his way to making a major name for himself.

This young man shows All-American ability at both the OT and DT positions. On offense he shows terrific athletic ability, surprisingly light on his feet, shows the agility to cut defenders off at the pass, sets up quickly in pass protection, uses his hands well and dominates the point of attack -- just a natural athlete who can play RG, LT or RT at the next level. He did not allow a sack in 2006 and shows the potential to dominate at the college level, particularly on offense.

He graded out over 90 percent in his blocking assignments as a junior and totaled 85 tackles at DT.

Ranked No. 33 overall in the Class of 2008.

4. Tyron Smith (Committed to USC - 6-6, 265, 4.7 - Moreno Valley-Rancho Verde, CA)

He already looks like a college lineman, and looks thin at 265 with the frame to weigh well over 300 pounds.

He is blessed with remarkable feet, agility, body control and balance. He has the potential to become a special player with a five-star ranking and dominated most of the year from his OT position. He sets up quickly for the pass using his long arms to keep defenders at bay, and rarely looses a defender coming off the edge. This guy can dominate both as a run and pass blocker. He takes great angles to the ball, superior at blocking out at the second level and he is a future college All-American.

He graded out over 90 percent in his blocking assignments on his way to earning All-League honors.

Ranked No. 35 overall in the Class of 2008.

5. Stephen Good (Committed to Oklahoma - 6-6, 290, 5.0 - Paris, TX)

I spent three weeks in Texas back in late December and early January, and drove throughout the state and saw a good number of offensive linemen but none better than Mr. Good.

This guy excels as both a run and pass blocker from his LT position. He has not allowed a sack in his prep career and has dominated everyone he's gone up against. He can bend his knees, gets good leverage and once he locks onto his defender, it's usually over. Very aggressive, he has quick hands and even quicker feet. Has the frame to weigh around 320 in college and shows the strength to lock on and turn defenders at will. A very motivated and tough LT, he's just what the doctor ordered for the Sooner offensive.

He recorded 87 pancake blocks as a junior and as I mentioned before, he did not allow a sack. Earned First Team All-State honors from his LT position.

Ranked No. 41 overall in the Class of 2008.

6. Matt Kalil (Committed to USC - 6-7, 285, 5.0 - Anaheim Servite, CA)

Here is another ball player who really carries his weight well. In person, he did not look 285 pounds but has a Tony Boselli type of frame. He is the younger brother of USC All-American Ryan Kalil. His brother was a dominating center and Matt will certainly be an LT at the next level.

He shows good strength, technique, quickness, aggressiveness and attitude. He dominates the point of attack and every high school player he has gone up against, at least on the film I have seen, they have succumbed to his enormous strength, quickness and technique. He knocks defenders backwards with his initial push using his long arms, quick hands and feet to dominate. He has superior short area quickness and sets a solid base.

He earned All-League and All-Area honors for his play at LT.

Ranked No. 50 overall in the Class of 2008.

7. Tyler Love (Committed to Alabama - 6-8, 275, 5.1 - Mountain Brook, AL)

He ranks with Julio Jones as one of the top two prospects in the state of Alabama.

You can't find much wrong with this young man's game. Whether he is playing LT or RT, he dominates as both a run and pass blocker. He is a coach on the field and there is no one in the state who can compare to him, he is in a class by himself. He is sort of a prep version of Joe Thomas and uses his long arms and quick feet to ward off any potential hazards to his QB. He is exceptionally effective when isolated one on one with the defender and at times it looks like he is just playing with them. He shows good hand placement, can be physical and is technically almost flawless. He dominated the Hoover game last November.

He earned First Team All-State honors for his play at tackle and also recorded 92 pancake blocks.

Ranked No. 52 overall in the Class of 2008.

8. Dann O'Neill (Committed to Michigan - 6-8, 300, 5.2 - Grand Haven, MI)

Here is the biggest surprise during my visit through the state of Michigan. I was very impressed with him in person and on film.

This guy has got great feet, athletic ability, a mean streak, can run and pass block, can pull and trap and he is a high school version of Jake Long. He carries 291 pounds very well, should he 310 in no time and can dominate from the RT position. He can bend his knees, shows great balance, stays on his feet and is rarely on the ground. He also shows good lateral quickness, can adjust well on the run and has the kind of speed and athletic ability to get out and block on the second level. He really impresses you with his work ethic and athletic ability.

He earned some All-league honors for his play at RT and recorded 94 pancake blocks.

Ranked No. 59 overall in the Class of 2008.

9. Antoine McClain (6-6, 305, 5.4 - Anniston, AL)

He is not too far off from Tyler Love, not yet as accomplished as Tyler but Antoine certainly has the size, strength, speed and potential to someday be just as effective.

He is already an accomplished run blocker, does a good job of getting out to the second level and sealing off line backers. He had an amazing game against Chelsea in which he graded out at 95 percent and showed enough body control and lateral movement to slide out and keep pass rushers away from the QB. He plays RB in high school but could wind up playing LT in college. He is a definite All-American with a great future. He looks thin at 305 but should weigh around 315 to 320 in college.

He earned All-State recognition for his play at RT.

Considering LSU and Alabama and visiting for the game this weekend.

Ranked No. 61 overall in the Class of 2008.

10. Vinston Painter (6-5, 308, 5.3 - Norfolk-Maury, VA)

Almost every great 2008 OL prospect was down in San Antonio last January including Mr. Painter, and I can safely say that no one was more impressive looking than Vinston.

This guy is a monster at OT, plays both LT and RT and has dominated the Tidewater competition over the past couple of years. He is a powerhouse tackle who shows quick hands and even quicker feet. Very fast in a limited space, he's been dominating as a run blocker and is a difference maker who can also set up quickly for the pass. He takes great angles to the ball, can redirect and finishes off his blocks like no one's business. He dominates the point of attack with strength and athletic ability.

He graded out at close to 90 percent in his blocking assignments last season on his way to earning All-Tidewater area honors. His best game came against Hampton in which he graded out at over 95 percent and recorded 11 pancake blocks. He also played some tackle on defense. He totaled 25 tackles, 5 sacks at DT.

Ranked No. 82 overall in the Class of 2008.

11. Matt Patchan (No. 84 overall - 6-7, 265, 4.79 - Seffner Armwood, FL)

12. J.B. Shugarts (No. 85 overall - Committed to Ohio State - 6-7, 295, 5.1 - Houston Klein, TX)

13. Lane Clelland (N. 94 overall - Committed to Notre Dame - 6-5, 280, 5.0 - Owings Mills-McDonogh, MD)

14. Lucas Nix (Committed to Pittsburgh - 6-6, 295, 5.0 - Pittsburgh-Jefferson, PA)

15. Matt Meyer (Committed to USC - 6-8, 295, 5.3 - Stockton-Lincoln, CA)

16. Bryce Givens (Committed to Nebraska - 6-6, 260, 5.1 - Denver Mullen, CO)

17. Matt Hall (Committed to Arkansas - 6-9, 330, 5.0 - Dardanelle, AR)

18. Preston Bailey (Committed to Tennessee - 6-5, 315, 5.1 - Nashville-Montgomery Bell, TN)

19. Dan Hoch (Committed to Nebraska - 6-7, 280, 5.2 - Harlan Comm., IA)

20. Graham Pocic (Committed to Illinois - 6-7, 310, 5.3 - Lemont, IL)

21. Dan Campbell (Committed to USC - 6-5, 325, 5.3 - Houston-Aldine, TX)