By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine
There are three positions in football recruiting — offensive line, defensive line and linebacker — that colleges will tell you are the hardest to find when it comes to recruiting for both small and big colleges.
The college coaches will also tell you finding a kid who plays center in high school and can do that at the next level is even tougher. Most centers in college are offensive guards who learn to play center in college.
Today we talk about a kid who plays offensive line for Holy Savior Menard in Alexandria, Jack Roy, who I believe is a sleeper prospect. He has good feet, a good frame and is a strong leader for his team going into his fourth varsity year.
Jack stands 6-3 and weighs a strong 255 pounds. He easily should add 20-25 pounds of more muscle on his frame in college. He is a legit center already for college and plays there at Menard. Most centers that colleges look for are 6-1 to 6-4 with good feet and are quick off the ball. Those guys are usually under 280 pounds, and this kid can do those things right now and will only get quicker and bigger in college.
Roy finds the most joy in the game comes from the guys he lines up with.
“The thing I like about football is the friendships that I have formed. My teammates are not just teammates, they are my family,” he said. “We all share a brotherhood and really look out for each other, on and off the field.”
He’s gotten good guidance from coaches with the Eagles and through a well-regarded local camp.
“My coaches never pushed or required any certain college camps. Each of my four years at Menard, I have successfully completed the Don Fields Training Camp for strength and conditioning. I have always found this to be as beneficial as any other camp I could have attended,” said Roy. “It always has me physically ready for the season.
His experience and focus on OL play has helped him hone his craft.
“I only play offensive line and have started since my freshman year on varsity. Several of us have been together since our freshman year. Some of my fellow linemen are Ben Good, Hollis Chatman, Aaron Brevelle and Lane Evans.”
The Eagles’ offensive line coach, Morgan Redmon, is a big fan.
“When I took over the offensive line last season, one of my first priorities was to figure out who the center would be. I try and make sure that the center is a guy that not only is physically capable of regularly going up against the biggest and strongest guys on the other team, but understands every position on that line so that he can lead the entire group.
“Although Jack was going to be a junior he clearly became the guy that was the best suited for the job. As a junior he was the best center in the district and after a full offseason and summer program, I think he could be one of the best in Class 2A during his senior year.
“He works hard as any kid I’ve had the opportunity to coach and that work ethic carries over to all the other guys on the team. Jack is the type of lineman that when you need a yard to get that first down, you can challenge him, run it right behind his block, and he will deliver every time,” said Redmon.
It’s not all business with Roy.
“He keeps it light at practice by joking around with the rest of the team and he is a bit of a jokester around the fieldhouse, but when it comes to work, I wouldn’t trade him for anyone,” said Redmon.
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com
Lee Brecheen has been covering high school football and recruiting in Louisiana since the early ‘90s. He is owner of Louisiana Football Magazine and can be followed on Twitter @LeeBrecheen. He hosts a YouTube show, The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen. Previews of all state high schools are available on lafootballmagazine.com.