POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. — Over the course of his impressive high school career, Julian Rochester has squared off with some of the best offensive linemen in the country.
Clemson’s Mitch Hyatt and USC right tackle Chuma Edoga are counted among the offensive linemen Rochester has shared the field with over the last few years.
Hyatt played against Rochester when McEachern and North Gwinnett played in the 2014 Corky Kell Classic. Edoga was a five-star prospect before he graduated from McEachern last December.
According to Rochester, who’s committed to Georgia, Tremayne Anchrum Jr. is the fastest tackle he’s ever seen.
“Chuma has the speed, but I have just enough speed to be able to actually work the edge, but Tree — it’s almost like it’s either power or an inside move, because his footwork and his hands are great, I would have to get his hands out of the way,” Rochester said, after Anchrum committed to Clemson on Thursday afternoon.
“His punch, his quickness, that makes him just one of the most unbelievable tackles and he’s going to fit real well at Clemson with all these fast dudes in the ACC rushing the end. I think they’ll have no chance against him.”
Anchrum is every bit the player, Rochester said, despite what the ratings and rankings might say.
“He measures up because of his work-ethic. He works. I don’t want to point any fingers, but Tree isn’t the biggest dude, but he’s a solid 6-3.5, 280-285 now I think it is,” Rochester said. “He’s become one of those big, great dudes and his footwork didn’t change a bit. He’s still the same speed. He still does everything the same. He still blocks and finishes people. Pancakes are everywhere.”
McEachern head coach Kyle Hockman thinks Clemson is getting a versatile piece to its offensive line puzzle.
“He’s an athlete. He’s smart. He’s tough…so I think he’ll be able to play wherever they want him to play, any of the five positions,” Hockman said. “That’s what the best thing about him (is), he can do just about anything.”