There are tons of things about big men, particularly big men deployed as offensive linemen, to assess. Offensive linemen need height and length these days to stave off the incredibly fast incursions into an offensive backfield undertaken by some of these defensive, down linemen and outside linebackers. Offensive linemen need to be able to sink and play at an appropriate pad level, keeping would be blocking assignments from getting under their hands. Offensive linemen to be nimble footed, explosive, athletic, specimen capable of keeping one of your offense’s most important assets (QB) healthy and in the lineup playing at maximum efficiency. Landon Asher looks like he fits the bill pretty well. He certainly has that height/length thing handled.
Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Ass. Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
London, KY: The North Laurel program won the Division I, Kentucky Middle School Football Association (KYMSFA) Championship in 2019. They have played for others.
It is a program which has developed plenty of fine players who have gone on to fine careers in high school and even college. The program benefits from fine coaching, facilities, community and district support.
North Laurel has a tremendous “big man” entering the 8th grade this coming season. This guy’s name is Landon Asher, he is a member of the ’31 graduating class, and he is 6’7,” 320-pounds.
You heard us…we didn’t stutter and this isn’t a misprint. I don’t remember too many 6’7,” 320-pound, eighth graders in my day.
Asher is getting a ton of notice on the camp circuit and playing in various middle school All-star games. We believe Asher will start fielding offers as soon as the summer between 8th and 9th grade.
Asher’s frame is that awe-inspiring. Asher is that kind of athlete, that kind of football player.
Height and length are critical to prospects who hope to play the offensive line in a big time, college football program. The two physical characteristics directly relate to a player’s physical reach, pass protection radius, and frame capacity.
While height provides specific physical advantages, “length”—which primarily refers to a player’s arm span—is often considered the single most important physical metric by college recruiters. We can’t tell you exactly what Asher’s length is, in relation to his 6’7” height. We can tell you Asher looks plenty long to us and to the schools already recruiting and pursuing him.
Height and length are critically important to line play, as are coordination and aggression…
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Young bigs tend to catch defenders rushing upfield as opposed to attacking, punching, punishing, and destroying defenders as coaches would vastly prefer. We have seen this in young Bigs across the commonwealth.
We just recently evaluated a ’28 Big already sporting major college offers. It was the first thing we noticed.
The major colleges recruiting this player seemed less concerned about his aggression and must have felt aggressiveness was an attribute this particular prospect will certainly develop as he ages. They are the experts.
Asher is young. Asher needs additional sink. Asher needs more aggression, more killer instinct, but he is well on his way. After all, Asher is just about to start the 8th grade.
We, as a society, spend copious amounts of time telling 6’7,” 320-pound eighth graders to play nice with others and not to bully. Then, we put them on the gridiron and tell them to bully the heck out of everyone on the gridiron they encounter.
It confuses young linemen. One has to admit, it is quite the conundrum.
Asher has every physical gift to be a big-time, offensive lineman the Good Lord could bestow. Asher will gain coordination and aggression as he gets older.
When this kid gets where he appears headed, it will be quite the spectacle. Won’t that be fun?!
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball; reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
If you enjoyed this article and wish to gain full-access to the site, then subscribe monthly to Kentucky Prep Gridiron by following the prompts!
© The information contained on this site is the copyrighted intellectual property of KPGFootball. Any unauthorized dissemination of this material without the author’s express written consent is strictly prohprohibited!
Leave a Reply