Wyatt VanBoening, an offensive tackle from Carmel, stands out not only for his impressive size but also for his skillset. The junior, standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 285 pounds, is becoming one of the top prospects in his class across the nation.
“Recruiters do consider size,” VanBoening admits. “But they also focus on movement, information processing, and learning speed. As you gain knowledge, the game becomes manageable, allowing higher-level play.”
Last season, VanBoening started as right tackle and caught the attention of recruiters, who believe he can excel in college football’s top levels. He attracted around 20 scholarship offers from major programs like Illinois and Notre Dame, even before personal contact was permitted.
This influx of interest highlighted which schools were seriously interested in him. “That’s when those schools showed genuine interest,” he remarks.
VanBoening is adapting to a position change this season, as he switches to left tackle, a spot he played as a freshman. “It’s hard to believe high school football is already halfway over,” he reflects. “My focus is purely on playing my best, everything else will follow. My goal is to stop the player ahead of me.”
His determination is evident; he improved his strength significantly by raising his squat from 385 pounds to 505 pounds within a year. He acknowledges, “I didn’t expect to achieve this strength so fast. I wasn’t the strongest last year, and had to compensate with aggression and technique. Strength helps correct mistakes.”
Carmel coach Jason McKie, who has NFL experience, praises VanBoening’s work ethic. “He’s not only big and physical but also intense and improving with each play,” McKie observes. “His determination to improve is remarkable.”
VanBoening strives to be the best offensive lineman in his family, following the footsteps of brothers Trenton and Rhett, and father Simon, who also have strong football backgrounds.
“I’m competitive and aim to surpass them,” VanBoening boldly states. “They have given me invaluable advice on football and recruiting.”
Trenton VanBoening sees great potential in Wyatt. “As the youngest, he’s matured quickly. Many college players can’t match his strength,” Trenton notes.
Having surpassed his brothers in size, Wyatt maintains his individuality and goal-driven nature, which makes his family proud.
The insights and mentoring from his brothers bolstered Wyatt’s varsity performance, and he remains eager for their advice. “They told me not to rely solely on natural talent,” he reveals. “Skill only takes you so far; I aim for more.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.