Top Players Series: Football offensive line, Reed Ramsier, TFA
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This is the first of a seven-part series that will take a look at the top players at each position among the Orlando area’s high school football teams ahead of spring practice. Today we focus on the offensive line:
Reed Ramsier, senior, The First Academy
Through hard work, relentless determination and a tunnel-vision focus, The First Academy’s interior offensive lineman Reed Ramsier has developed into one of the top players in the state and he is the best at what he does in the Orlando area.
What has made Ramsier stand out is his work ethic and desire to reach the top. He started out his high school football career as a lanky 185-pound project. But now he is 6-foot-5, 300 pounds of consistency and technique.
His qualities include great foot work and foot speed, consistently taking advantage of his big hands, long arms and a football IQ that allows him to play all three positions across the line. He will be an interior lineman in college and could even end up at center.
“What makes Reed so good is his consistency,” said Ramsier’s offensive line coach at TFA , Chad Mavety. “It’s his work ethic, his drive to not only be the best player on field, but also to be the best player mentally with his IQ.
“He’s a kid that literally comes to me four or five times a day to study the game of football, study defenses, study offense. It’s more than just plays. He truly loves it, he lives it and I think that’s a large part.”
When Ramsier came to TFA two years ago from Boone, he had the luxury of joining an already solid group of linemen who had just come over with Mavety from Lake Minneola, led by current Clemson freshman Chancellor Barclay. With those players around him, and his immense potential, Ramsier blossomed and moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore.
“A year-and-a-half ago, he was 250 pounds and 6-3. It’s just naturally developed over time and he has put in the time in the weight room and he has tremendous focus on nutrition,” Mavety said. “He makes sure he eats a certain amount of meals a day. He makes sure if he has to lose weight, he does. If he has to gain, he does that.
“A lot of times, high school athletes don’t have the maturity to be able to reach the goals they need to reach off the field.”
Ramsier has developed into a total-package lineman.
“He has a good all-around game. He’s a good run blocker, he’s a good pass blocker, he’s got great feet,” Mavety said. “And having a high IQ and understanding of the game gives him the ability put himself in good situations, when a lot of guys at the high school level may not understand those things.”
Ramsier has an 84-inch wingspan, which helps him keep opposing rushers off balance and at a distance, keeping them off his jersey and not allowing opponents to latch on so successfully.
“He has long arms and that’s what sets him apart and that’s what coaches like,” Mavety said. “You can play a long time in the NFL with long arms and big hands.”
His future certainly looks bright. He’s yet to make a college choice but appears to have narrowed down his 36 FBS offers to Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State and Texas.
Other Orlando offensive linemen
Aiden Galles, junior, East Ridge
Galles was a bit raw when he came on the scene as a freshman, but he sure has blossomed. He’s become one of the best offensive tackles in Central Florida and will continue to improve given his youth. He’s very agile at 6-6, 275 and continues to learn the game.
Kharl’lens Alonzo, senior, Evans
Alonzo is another big body at 6-5, 310 pounds. He has anchored the Evans line for the past two seasons. He also has long arms and quick feet. He’s a tremendous run blocker and will get the chance to work more on is pass blocking this year with new quarterback Will Jackson transferring in.
Fenway Cochrane, junior, East Ridge
Cochrane, who came to East Ridge this year after playing his first two seasons at West Orange, is a feisty lineman with great hand technique and blocking IQ. At 6-2, 295, he’s not the biggest guy on the line, but he uses his body to get in the right position to ward off bigger defensive linemen.
Taz Logan, senior, DeLand
Logan is only 6-0, 250, but he is another undersized lineman who has tremendous technique and ability to use his upper-body strength and IQ to get himself in great position. As is often the case with successful linemen, Logan is also a wrestler at DeLand and he uses those skills to his advantage. A run-blocker extraordinaire.
Chris Hays can be found on X.com@OS_ChrisHays.
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