A Step Ahead: Jim Stefani's Underclassmen Football Recruiting Blog

Class of 2009 Watch

Here come the linemen!


Thomas Hart OL 6'4 275 Orangeburg-Wilkinson South Carolina

Hart is one of the best young OL prospects in the Carolinas. He started as a freshman for a strong program and has a nice frame combined with excellent strength and athleticism. Unusually quick feet for a big kid. Being compard to former O-W All-American and current St. Louis Rams’ tackle Alex Barron.


Tyrece Ashmore OL 6'2 335 Washington-Wilkes Georgia

Ashmore is a powerful OG prospect who plays for a very strong team. As a freshman, he started the state semifinal and championship games. He uses his great strength and wide body to overpower prep linemen. One of the top sophomores in the state.


Rico Huggins OL 6'3 270 Wichita East Kansas

Sophomore starter on the offensive line and has a nice combination of size and speed. Quick enough to pull.


Bradley Franklin OL 6'2 305 Russellville Alabama

Plays for one of the state's top programs and he was already big and strong enough as an eighth-grader to make the varsity roster. Real thick, but not fat, and has quick feet. Great strength and plays well with leverage.


Michael Philipp OL 6'3 285 San Bernardino Arroyo Valley California

The younger brother of University of Arizona-bound Hans Philipp (5-11, 290) is starring on the offensive line as a sophomore. Real aggressive and tough like his older brother but has a frame better-suited to big-time college ball.


Jeremy Simmons DL 6'4 308 5.31 Clay County Alabama

Simmons is a man-child of a prospect who will definitely be one of the nation's top prospects in a couple of years. He really wowed people on the combine circuit after his freshman year, showing off his great frame, speed (5.31 combine forty, tremendous for a youngster his size) and quickness (outstanding 4.68 shuttle). This young prospect has as much upside as any sophomore lineman in the nation.


Justin Juckum DL/TE 6'5 214 4.99 Chilton Wisconsin

Juckum is a prospect whose best football is ahead of him. He didn't have a lot of playing experience entering his sophomore year as he started playing the game late and has been hampered by injuries. He has a tremendous frame and wingspan and runs very, very well. He tested very well during the 2006 combine circuit, running a sub-5.0 forty and a great 4.57 shuttle. Also has pretty good strength for his yet-to-be-filled-out frame (15 bench reps) and a 33-inch vertical. Could also project as a college TE.


Marcus Brooks DL 6'6 215 St. Louis University Missouri

Brooks is another tall and wiry prep DE who has the sort of frame that colleges really love to see. Talented enough to start as a sophomore for a solid program, he is explosive off the ball and has excellent feet. One of the top young prospcts in the metro St. Louis.

posted by Jim Stefani @ 3:10 PM