Top 2025 OL Prospect Micah DeBose Is A National Recruit
Alabama prep football produces many top offensive linemen. However, few high school trench warriors reach the physical prowess of Micah DeBose at 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, let alone his natural physique for a large young man.
All of Debose's natural abilities lead to Auburn, Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Florida State, and many other college football programs offering him a scholarship. Time to discuss his abilities.
He has multiple traits that stand out including but not limited to a pair of the heaviest hands one will witness. DeBose de-cleated an opposing player, off of his feet and onto his backside, by way of a powerful two-handed thrust into that player's chest.
To help make it to the opportunity to create a big-time block, DeBose showcases light feet while playing for Prichard (Ala.) Vigor. He probably surprises opposing defenders with how he moves.
To that point, perhaps more impressive would be DeBose's ability to play in space during a wide receiver screen. Smaller players want no part of this mass of humanity, so they attempt to dodge him. Not all are successful and a similar result as the one defined above does take place from time to time.
The key would be DeBose's ability to use short and choppy steps to redirect his power to make it to the defensive back and deliver a blow. In essence, a defensive back truly needs to stay clear of the oncoming DeBose. Otherwise, he could add that player to his highlight reel. Run blocking is certainly DeBose's strength, along with the screen game. He does need work on the edge against premier pass rushers.
Pass protection is a lifelong learning skill for any big man no matter the physical capabilities. DeBose possesses the overall athleticism to pass protect against top edge rushers. The foot quickness is there, and the power is evident based on the information above. Now it's about putting it all together.
There's not much film of DeBose pass protecting while playing left tackle for Vigor. What is available of DeBose pass protecting on film showcases his ability to be a knee bender and quickly shuffle right or left.
With that in mind, he went against a few top defensive ends during the 2023 Under Armour Future 50 event held at IMG Academy in Bradenton. While there needs to be more evidence of how well DeBose can pass block in full pads, the Future 50 camp is a starting point to build upon before he competes at future camps, combines, and during his senior year for Vigor.
If DeBose found a way to even get one hand on an edge attempting to speed rush him, he'd push them by, winning the rep. With both hands on a defensive end, he locks them out with both arms extended; too powerful for an opposing player to win the rep. There's the other side of the equation also needs to be discussed.
Sometimes DeBoe would be just a tad late with his punch and/or not get out wide enough and a high-level pass rusher would use a speed-rush move to fend off DeBose's hands and get by him.
This is usually the toughest challenge for a young offensive tackle like DeBose. Going against smaller and craftier defensive ends is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical battle.
It will be fun to monitor DeBose moving forward because when he stays low and quickly utilizes his kick step, he's already a solid pass protector. Still, a ways to go for DeBose to prove his pass-blocking consistency.
Concluding, DeBose is a possible 5-star recruit by any realistic measurement. Already adept as a run blocker and in the screen game, he has a chance to take his game to another level during the 2024 calendar year and compete to be the nation's top offensive lineman.
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