With Ohio State's loaded 2021 class sitting pretty with its No. 1 ranking in the country, the Buckeyes are already looking ahead to the next class.
The Buckeyes have three members of the 2022 class committed so far, and Tegra Tshabola out of Lakota West High School (Ohio) is the highest-rated of the bunch with the potential to be a big-time offensive tackle for the scarlet and gray.
At Lakota West, Tshabola is not asked to pass block or kick step often, but outside of the inexperience as a pass blocker, Tshabola's game is full of power and anger in the trenches.
In his run-heavy high school scheme, Tshabola is a versatile finisher that bullies defenders and puts them in the dirt play after play. Let's look at the film.
Finisher
Tshabola is a gritty finisher, through and through, and loves to stick defenders into the dirt. This finishing ability will fit perfectly in Ohio State's downhill run game, whether it is at tackle or guard.
- Play one: Lined at left guard this play Tshabola is supposed to double team the down lineman with the center. However, once the linebacker begins coming downhill the center splits off to take him. Even without the Center's help Tshabola takes the defensive lineman five yards downfield and pancakes him into the turf.
- Play one: This time Tshabola is lined up as extra tackle to the right so Lakota West can get the edge on a run play. He gets underneath the shorter overhang outside linebacker and promptly takes him five yards down the field before driving him into the ground.
- Play one: Once again Tshabola is supposed to have a double team with the right tackle but the defensive tackle comes to his inside making it a one on one block. Similar to above Tshabola gets underneath the tackles shoulder pads and runs him into the ground while letting him know about it.
For a high school sophomore like Tshabola to be able to finish blocks as he does it is rare and it makes it more clear to see why Ohio State offered this young man so early.
Position Versatility
At the high school level, a team's best offensive lineman typically plays left tackle to protect the quarterback's blindside. However, since Lakota West is a power run team, that's not a concern. Instead, Tshabola moves all around the offensive line, showcasing his versatility and helping his team in many ways.
Lakota West head coach Tom Bolden moves Tshabola to wherever they need him. Even as a sophomore in high school, Bolden trusted Tshabola to win key one-on-one matchups, and more often than not he did.
Here are some plays that highlight his versatility.
- Play one: In one of his few pas set reps Tshabola lines up at the standard left tackle spot. Upon the snap, he proceeds to deliver a punch that puts the opposing blitzing linebacker into the ground.
- Play two: Lined up at right tackle this play Tshabola takes the defensive tackle that is lined up over the top of him in a one on one situation. With the play going to the left he turns the defensive end to the right and plants him in the ground.
- Play three: This time he is at the left guard spot and runs up to the off-ball linebacker shoving him to the sideline. The running back cuts upfield right off Tshabola's backside and gets a few more extra yards.
With his huge 6-foot-6 and 310-pound frame, Tshabola has the height and length to be a great offensive tackle, but also the requisite size to be a powerful mauler in the interior. And he'll come to Ohio State with plenty of experience at both.
People Mover
Lakota West moved Tshabola all over the field to create holes for the offense wherever they needed it, and that is exactly what he did.
Whether he is lined up at guard or tackle, Tshabola has the raw strength and superior understanding of positioning to allows him to take defenders out of the play.
Here is his people-moving on display:
- Play one: Again Tshabola is lined up as the extra offensive tackle on the right side of the line and he is tasked with getting outside the standup linebacker so the sweep play can run wide. Tshabola remains the widest blocker on the play and his runner is able to get to the outside for a good gain while he gets another pancake.
- Play two: On the goal line this play Tshabola is at left tackle and has to take the defender right over the top of him out of the play. As he normally does Tshabola takes his man out of the play and the running goes up the whole he made for a touchdown
- Play three: Once again he is the extra tackle in Lakota West's jumbo run scheme. He takes the outside defensive end and turns him outside even more so that the running back can hit the hole right inside of Tshabola for a touchdown.
Tshabola can be the centerpiece of an offensive line with his ability to move his defender and finish them all the way to the ground.
Wherever Tshabola plays in college, he should find success quickly in the run game and even though he might face a learning curve as a pass blocker, he has the athleticism to thrive in that area of his game as well.
