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

Class of 2008: Some Elite Offensive Linemen (Part III)

Josh Jenkins OL/DL 6'3 282 5.20 Parkersburg West Virginia West Virginia

Jenkins is one of the nation’s very best OL prospects and some even feel that he could be the best guard prospect in the country…..One of the best players to emerge out of West Virginia in years…….Was very, very impressive at the 2007 U.S. Army Combine in earning All-Combine recognition. He was only beaten once in one-on-one drills and showed off his strength, athleticism and unusually quick feet………..Very effective in getting to the second-line of defense and would be ideally suited to playing in a zone-blocking scheme…..Excels at hitting moving targets and moving the pile…..Outstanding trap blocker. Very effective with his hands……Plays for a strong program and helped lead them to an unbeaten season and the state Class AAA title…….Great work ethic and well coached…..He was a First Team Class AAA All-State selection as both a sophomore and junior……As a junior he won the prestigious Hunt Award, presented annually to the state’s top lineman after starring both ways. On defense, he tallies 96 tackles, 10 TFL, 6 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and a blocked kick…….He registered 82 tackles, 4 sacks, 10 TFL and 2 fumble recoveries as a sophomore………MVP at the 2006 West Virginia summer camp……Impressed on 2006 combine circuit…….Best combine marks include a 5.2 forty, 4.6 shuttle, 25 bench reps and a 28-inch vertical……3.5 GPA and will take the SAT in spring……He committed to West Virginia in September, 2006 over offers from Virginia Tech, Marshall and Ohio U.. It was a smart move by the Mountaineers before the nation’s college football powers were able to get a foot in the door. Such programs as Florida State and Notre Dame offered in January.


David Snow OL 6'4 280 5.10 Gilmer Texas Texas

Snow is one of the very best offensive line prospects in the nation and is one of a handful of very talented Class of 2008 prospects at Gilmer……….Projects as a guard in college….He was already a First Team All-District selection as a sophomore and a starter as a freshman for a 16-0 3A Division II state championship team………Nasty on-field demeanor. Enjoys hitting people…..A very hard worker, he has a desire to become great……Great understanding of the game and exceptional technique. Effective both in run and pass blocking…..Wants to play for a top offensive line coach….Benches 315, squats 485…..Impressed at the 2006 Texas summer mini-camp…..A of mid-January 2007 he had early offers from such programs as Oklahoma, Nebraska, Michigan and Texas A&M. He said that he would commit to Texas as soon as he receives an offer.


Matt Kalil OL 6'7 262 5.34 Anaheim Servite California USC

Kalil is one of the nation’s very best linemen and among California’s top overall prospects…….A CalHiSports.com First Team All-Underclass selection as a junior and was named to their All-Sophomore team in 2005. As a junior he was also named First Team All-Area by the Los Angeles Times and First Team All-County by the Orange County Register……….Plays for one of the top programs in California and will join teammates Chris Galipo and D.J. Shoemate at USC……Servite has produced several high-quality offensive linemen in recent years and Matt could be the best of the bunch…….Older brother Ryan was a three-year starter at center for USC and Matt is a much more highly regarded prospect……..Will be a left tackle in college, and with his fine height, long arms and fine balance and movement he should excel at the D-I level…..Great work ethic, in part from emulating his older brother. A real competitor……Very impressive at the 2006 Stanford Nike camp……Should fill out to about 300 pounds in college after being a mere 185 pounds as a prep freshman……..28-inch vertical……3.5 GPA…..He committed to USC in September 2006 over offers from Miami, Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona, Mississippi and San Diego State.


Matt Patchan OL 6'6 250 4.91 ex-Tampa Freedom (Transferring) Florida

One of the top linemen in the nation and among the elite prospects in Florida this year………Patchan announced that he will be leaving Tampa Freedom High before his senior season as his family will be moving………..Among the top linemen at the 2007 U.S. Army Combine, proving to be one of the most athletic linemen in attendance and showing off a nice frame, good feet and a nasty streak……….Still on the lean side, he has a frame with a lot of room to fill out…….Very quick (clocked a very impressive 4.44 shuttle at a 2006 combine)……A two-way player who projects as an OT in college…..On the 2006 combine circuit he did 20 bench reps, a 31.5-inch vertical, and a 4.95 forty………..A First Team Class 4A All-State selection and St. Petersburg Times First Team All-Suncoast choice as a junior…….His sophomore season he was an Honorable Mention All-Hillsborough County selection…….On film, his quick feet and ability to adjust in space stand out. He needs to get stronger and become more of a mauler, but that will come with time as he shows a lot of toughness and physical play. He has excellent body balance and comes off the ball very quickly…….His father is former Miami offensive lineman and Patriots assistant Matt Patchan Sr……….Patchan had over 15 offers by mid-January, including such programs as Miami, Florida, Alabama, LSU, Georgia and Auburn.


Brandon Washington OL 6'4 305 5.47 Miami Edison Florida

Washington is one of several top-national level offensive linemen in the state this year………..As a junior he was named Second Team All-Dade County by the Miami Herald after earning Third Team honors as a sophomore…..The Miami Herald ranked him as the top prospect in talent-heavy Dade County heading into his junior season……….Was already receiving accolades as a future blue-chipper as a freshman on the varsity…….An exceptional pass blocker who has not allowed a sack since his freshman season…..Started his prep career as a DT and OG, but has since found a home at OT…….Very strong, he can do four bench reps at 315 pounds and is light on his feet…….Probably projects as a guard in college due to his quick feet and effectiveness in pulling….Hard-nosed player who will hit you and hit you hard……Sophomore combine marks include a 5.47 forty, 5.06 shuttle, 19 bench reps, and a 21-inch vertical…….2.6 GPA…….Will have his choice of schools.

posted by Jim Stefani @ 3:17 PM