Dont forget about the linemen

There is one position that never gets a lot of love from the media or the fans. The only time this position ever gets to hear their name on TV is when some official has dropped their hanky and is penalizing their team because of something they did. Though they don’t get the attention they deserve from the fan on the street, their teammates and coaches know that no matter how good your “skill position” players are without the big guys up front controlling the line of scrimmage, the game is lost. Here is our salute to the offensive line.

This week Pac10Recruiting will take a look at some of the best offensive line prospects on the West Coast. There is no way to mention all of the talented players in one report, but here are some names to definitely look for Sam Baker, Seth Baker, Ryan Kalil, Drew Radovich, Matt Reese, Erik Sandie and Brett Thielke.

Sam Baker plays for Tustin, Calif., and is turning out to be one of the most sought after offensive line prospects in the West. Baker is 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 5.2 seconds. He benches 320 pounds and squats 480 pounds.

Baker has unlimited potential and hasn’t even begun fulfill his potential. He is very lean and has the frame that D-I schools like for an incoming freshman. Sam is still growing and could carry more weight without losing a step. He has offers from USC, UCLA, Colorado and Fresno State.

Seth Baker, who plays for Glendale (Ariz.) Cactus, could end being the most sought after offensive lineman in the Grand Canyon State this season, and for good reason.

Seth Baker is 6-4 and 300 pounds and the 40-yard dash 5.1 seconds. He has a very nasty attitude when he’s on the gridiron, an ideal trait for an offensive lineman. Seth also possesses great feet for his size and is really physical. He loves to get after it. No wonder that he is getting recruiting attention from every team in the Pac10.

Baker probably will project as an offensive guard in college. Oregon, Washington, Arizona State and Arizona are recruiting him hardest in the early going.

Kalil hails from Anaheim (Calif.) Servite and he may end up as the most coveted offensive center prospect out West this fall.

He is 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds. Kalil plays offensive tackle for Servite, but he projects as a center or guard on the next level.

Kalil just turned 16 and his best days as a football player are ahead of him. One of the things D-I schools like about Kalil is the fact he is still growing.

The Kansas Jayhawks offered Kalil his first scholarship. KU was so impressed by Kalil, the Jayhawk brass said that they want to build an offensive line around him. USC, UCLA and Notre Dame are also very interested.

Sandie is a major contributor for the nation’s number one high school football program, Concord (Calif.) DeLaSalle.

“Erik has improved over one year as much as anyone we have ever had in our program,” said DeLaSalle assistant coach and athletic director Terry Eidson.

Sandie is also a standout wrestler and won the league heavyweight championship and was second overall for Northern California in that sport. Notre Dame, Boston College, Texas, Stanford, Washington, USC, Illinois, Wisconsin and Texas A&M are recruiting the talented offensive lineman.

Radovich from Mission Viejo, Calif., is seeing his stock soar in the spring in 2002. He is 6-5 and weighs in at 270 pounds. Radovich drew rave reviews when he ran a smoking 4.03 shuttle run recently.

His time was good enough to tie for first with two wide receivers.

USC, who has already offered, with UCLA, ASU, Arizona, Texas and Notre Dame are Drew’s early favorites.

Radovich admitted that he grew up watching both local schools (UCLA & USC). Radovich has ties to ASU (his parents both attended the Tempe campus) and Arizona where his sister attends school. He has the frame that D-I schools love.

He’s very lean and hasn’t begun to fill out yet. Once Radovich gets involved in a weight regimen, he will fill out. He hasn’t begun to scratch his potential. Radovich is a surefire major recruit for 2002.

Reese has been a standout this spring at every combine he has attended. He hails from Bakersfield (Calif.) Centennial and he sure passes the look test.

Reese stands 6-foot-7, weighs 324 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 5.7 seconds.

He is hearing from everyone in the Pac10, Big XII and has offers from both Oregon and Colorado State.

Reese is just beginning to tap into his potential and come into his own. He is a tireless worker who works incessantly on improving his football skills. Reese has made a huge jump from his junior season and now. USC has led for his services since the beginning but he also likes Colorado and of course Oregon and CSU.

The Pacific Northwest is home for Theilke. The 6-5, 285-pounder runs a 40-yard dash in 5.4 seconds and can bench-press 285 pounds and squat 500p

The scouting report on Theilke is that he is a big guy with quickness and outstanding footwork. Thielke is an excellent technician and moves well for his size. The entire Pac 10, Colorado, Boston College, Michigan, Notre Dame, Florida and Northwestern are just a few the schools looking at him.

Thielke is keeping his options open, but lists Washington, Oregon, Stanford, Cal, Michigan and Notre Dame as his current favorites.