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Is today’s player the most important one to success in 2017? It is entirely possible. A left tackle is charged with protecting a quarterback’s blind side. The position is one of the most important in the NFL, with quality left tackles earning millions. Today’s player isn’t quite there yet, but he is a virtual rookie that could be dropped into a key spot.
Grant Hermanns – Fr. (RS)
Albuquerque, NM (Rio Rancho HS)
6’7”, 293 pounds
Offensive Line
2017 Projection: Starter at left tackle
From the home town of Walter White, Gus Fring, Mike Ehrmantrout, Jesse Pinkman, and Saul Goodman we have Grant Hermanns, who will hopefully become just as famous of an Albuquerquen for much, much better reasons. He is a tall, athletic offensive lineman that is projected to take over at left tackle a position that last year was nothing short of a complete disaster. Martesse Patterson was there at first but was eventually suspended and kicked off the team. Jalen Neal was awful in that spot. Cameron Cermin finished the year there, but graduated.
The left tackle spot was one of the largest failings for coach Hazell, as he knew going into last season and failed to really address the position. This was only compounded with the non-recruitment of Coy Cronk, who ended up starting for our rivals.
Enter Hermanns, who redshirted last season to gain weight and grow into the spot. He has the size and athleticism to be a pretty good tackle. He has the height, and his background as a wrestling state champion in New Mexico will help. He was also a football state champ with Rio Rancho HS. Look for academic honors in his career, as in 2013 he won first place in chemistry/biochemistry at the Rio Rancho High School Research Expo. He was also a high school academic All-American.
He certainly has the credentials for a successful career. If things go well, he will start the Louisville game and we won’t have to worry about finding his replacement for four more years.