Film Room: Marc Nave Jr.

After a big haul in the transfer portal last offseason, Kentucky’s offensive line entered the 2023 season in better shape. However, there are still some roster holes. The Wildcats are very thin at tackle and still need to add depth to the three interior positions. Offensive line remained a need in the 2024 cycle.

Kentucky added a third offensive line prospect to its 2024 high school recruiting class on Thursday. Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic prospect Marc Nave Jr. decommitted from Ohio State on Sept. 30, and Kentucky worked quickly to close in this recruitment. The Wildcats got Nave on campus for a visit in October and then closed the deal in November.

What will the will the three-star prospect bring to Lexington? KSR’s Film Room is taking a closer look at Kentucky’s 23rd commitment in the 2024 recruiting class. The top 25 Ohio prospect is a guard prospect with true tackle flex that is a very good find for Kentucky this late in the process.

Zone scheme fit

In 2023, offensive coordinator Liam Coen has shown a ton of variety as a play-caller in the run game. The Wildcats have bounced back and forth between gap and zone concepts. We’ve seen duo, tight zone, mid zone, stretch zone, wind back, and power. Kentucky has attempted to find its best fit for the current personnel, but this offense wants to be a zone team.

For that to happen, offensive linemen must be able to move laterally, complete reach blocks, seals, and climb onto off-ball linebackers at the second level. Marc Nave Jr. (6-5, 313) is a high school basketball player who flashes good positional athleticism on tape.

On a reach block, the left tackle shows good grip strength at the point of attack along with good torque that allows him to pivot and pin the defender inside. The movement skills show up on film and allows Nave to complete an assortment of blocks in the run game. His athleticism allows him to climb to second-level defenders, and Nave keeps a good base when moving. There are also flashes of displacement power as a point-of-attack blocker.

The initial punch needs some improvement, and the lower body could use some additional strength, but Nave is a multi-dimensional blocker who can complete reach blocks and effectively complete blocks outside of his area. That gives him value as a puller and in a zone scheme.

Pass pro potential

Marc Nave Jr. is currently considered a guard prospect, but this is a recruit with legitimate tackle flex. The newest Kentucky commit has good feet, long reach, and positional athleticism on a frame that appears to be between 6-4 and 6-5. That gives him some tools to work with in pass protection.

Nave’s grip strength is on display in pass sets as he can stone rushers early allowing him to be aggressive and take control in protection. The tackle wins early and stones defensive linemen. Playing in the highest classification in Ohio, Toledo Central Catholic is playing against good teams. Nave is playing at a high level against good competition.

Hand strength, frame, and positional athleticism all make it possible that the former Ohio State commit could become a full-time tackle in Lexington.

Marc Nave Jr. gives Kentucky flexibility

Similar to Aba Selm, Marc Nave Jr. is a guard prospect with legitimate positional flex potential. Both three-star prospects had real interest from other Power Five programs. Each player owns functional positional athleticism that should make them good fits in a zone scheme, and each has the potential to possibly play tackle down the road.

Similar to the Koby Keenum recruitment last cycle, Kentucky went in and won a legitimate recruiting battle for another offensive line prospect. Nave is a high-level producer for a very good high school program and could play multiple roles for the Wildcats at the next level.

This is a quality recruiting win at a position of need.