2019 OL Recruit Prospects (with Film)

I thought it would be interesting to put together a post with all of the OL recruits we are going after and include all of their HUDL film in one place (thinking of you, Ffrench). Off the bat, I need to point out that I am no expert at (or even remotely qualified for) evaluating film, but I like to watch them and see what sticks out. Sometimes it's really hard to tell why a prospect is rated the way they are, either seemingly too high or too low. I would love to get other people's thoughts about the OL we are after, and who people like the best, based on film, rather than just ratings (not saying ratings are useless).

Here is the list of OL that it seems like we are recruiting heavily. This is #sauceless, just based on what I read here and on 247. I only included recruits that are either Warm on 247, have recently visited, or have been talked about on the boards as being interested in VT. I put them into tiers on my own subjective basis.

Tier 1:
Darnell Wright
Quinn Carroll

Tier 2:
Donavan Beaver
Jesse Hanson
Bryan Hudson
Riley Simonds
Jakai Moore
Andrew Kristofic
William Harrod

Tier 3:
Antoine Whitner
Jake Pope
Dylan McMahon
Jakai Clark

Below I included the HUDL film of everyone in the first and second tier, as well as what I see in their film, and any notes about them that I have heard on the message boards. Would love to hear who sticks out for people. Who are people's favorite prospects? It's pretty incredible how different OL recruiting feels from this time last year. A lot to be excited about. Lastly, I would love an OL class of Hanson, Beaver, Hudson, and Simonds, and then shoot for the moon on Carroll or Wright. (I also really like Moore, but thinks he goes elsewhere). Happy TKPing, happy Monday!

Tackles:
Darnell Wright: 6' 6" 290 5* .9879

Film: Seems to have great feet. Is able to chip on a defensive lineman then engage with a linebacker. Keeps his feet moving. Seems like his go to move is to just hurl guys to the ground, not sure that will work in college. Also seems to have a pretty high pad level, seems like he's used to being able to just throw people around.

Notes: Warm on 247. Visited Tech on February 2nd. Favorite as of now is Ohio State. To me, it feels like there is enough interest to have a hat on the table come decision time, but I can't see him picking us. Would love to be wrong.

Quinn Carroll: 6' 6" 290 4* .9699

Film: He has my favorite tape of any of the OL recruits. I don't see a weakness. Moves well, good pad level at contact, can pull and stays engaged on blocks, plays with attitude.

Notes: Warm on 247. His older brother was a LS at VT. ND seems to be the team to beat, his father played at Minnesota.

William Harrod: 6' 5" 305 4* .9265

Film: I wasn't super impressed by the film. He seems a little slow. I don't know about the level of competition he plays, but it seems like a lot of the players he blocks are significantly smaller than he is. Can't really put my finger on it, but I am surprised he is rated as highly as he is.

Notes: Warm on 247, haven't heard much else about him.

Andrew Kristofic: 6' 5" 255 3* .8728

Film: Moves really well, has a good motor and doesn't give up on a play. Plays on both sides of the line. Seems to have a tendency to set his feet and lunge at a defender when blocking.

Notes: Visited on February 10th. Also plays basketball. Has a good frame but would likely need to spend a couple years adding some mass.

Donavan Beaver: 6' 6" 275 3* .8556

Film: He has one of my favorite films. Plays with a lot of attitude, finishes every block, moves well and looks really athletic. On most of the pass protection plays he ends up pretty much tackling his defender, so I don't know if that's a concern.

Notes: Not warm on 247 but we have all 3 CB predictions. He has visited VT multiple times, last September, November, and January. Recently got an offer from Florida. Seems underrated to me at .8556.

Other names to watch:
Antoine Whitner: 6' 4" 295 3* .8333
Notes: Warm on 247. Originally from the Richmond area, now plays at IMG. Visited last November.

Jake Pope: 6' 7" 275 3* .8333
Notes: Warm on 247. Said we were in his top 3 a while back.

Guards:
Bryan Hudson: 6' 4" 292 4* .9198

Film: Looks big and strong on film. Positions his body well and stays engaged on blocks. It seems like when he has to block a bigger defender he has a tendency to set his feet before contact, but I didn't see it as much when he was blocking smaller DEs or LBs.

Notes: Warmer on 247. Also wants to throw for track. Visited in January. Said we were his leader in February. Insiders on 247 expect a Spring/Summer decision.

Jakai Moore: 6' 6" 295 3* .8800

Film: Runs through his blocks and does a great job staying engaged. Looks athletic at the guard position, looks good when he has to pull.

Notes: Walm on 247. Visited on January 14th. From Virginia but says staying close isn't a priority. To me, it feels like he wants to go out of state to a bigger name school.

Jesse Hanson: 6' 4" 290 3* .8750

Film: Has great pad level, plays with an attitude, keeps his feet moving, looks athletic when he pulls. Don't see much pass protection.

Notes: Our first OL commit, and I love him. I also love that he is a high school wrestler. The only worry is if Clemson comes calling. Both parents are Clemson alum. However, he seems to be saying all the right things about his recruitment being done and being happy with his choice, but I just hope we don't get McFaddened.

Riley Simonds: 6' 4" 290 3* .8739

Film: Seems pretty strong, moves pretty well for someone his size.

Notes: Warmer on 247. His girlfriend is coming to VT (for softball?). Plays at Buford which is a powerhouse in HS football, would be great to have a connection to that school.

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