The Chargers had a fantastic season with a record of 10-3 making it to all the way to the second round of the playoffs. As a player and an NFL fanatic, I noticed that my teammates carried some similarities with a few of the NFL’s best athletes. There were a handful of teammates in particular. So how do OLSH players match up against the NFL? Read on to find out.

Andrew Schnarre…a better Jordy Nelson

Andrew Schnarre:
On one occasion in the locker room, I accidentally called fellow teammate Andrew Schnarre, “Jordy Nelson,” due to his uncanny resemblance to the talented Packers receiver. Andrew is known for his fascinating speed, being able to outrun people you’d think are faster than him, and incredible hands just as Jordy Nelson is. This year Schnarre had 54 receptions for 904 yards and a handful of touchdowns. In 2016, (Nelson missed the most recent season due to injury) Nelson had 53 receptions for 482 yards and six touchdowns. Other than the stats, the most noticeable resemblance between the two is that nearly every game it seems that Schnarre and Nelson both have a long reception for a touchdown, and this is where their speed comes into play. Both of these players have either been honored to multiple first team All-Conference ballots, or NFL Pro Bowls. This pair of receivers is extremely talented and enjoyable to watch.
Andrew Schnarre Junior Year Highlights
“Air Jordy” Jordy Nelson Highlights

Richard “BOOM” Banks is a Darren Sproles 2.0

Richard Banks:
In his Junior Year, Banks was a multi-position weapon. He was featured for the Chargers as Running Back, Slot Receiver, and Return Specialist. NFL superstar, Darren Sproles plays the exact same positions. Sproles and Banks are unrealistically fast, but an even more impressive than their speed is their agility. For the 2017 football season, Banks had 1137 rushing yards, 809 receiving yards, and 22 total touchdowns as well as 7 two-point conversions. Sproles’ most comparable season came in 2011, when he recorded 80 receptions for 710 yards and seven touchdowns, 603 rushing yards for 2 touchdowns, and a punt return for a touchdown.
Richard “Boom” Banks Junior Year Highlights
Darren Sproles Career Highlights

Jackie Graff and Mike Alscott

Jackie Graff:
Graff played running back meanwhile Alstott played fullback, but overlooking the slight difference in positions, their playing styles were extremely similar. Unlike Banks and Sproles, these two players didn’t use speed and agility, instead they would use their strength and power. Somehow they always found a way to keep going after first contact. For Tampa Bay, Alstott was a reliable, tough back always using his powerful running style to gain the yardage needed. Graff shares that exact same style. This year, Graff had 871 rushing yards, ten total touchdowns, and seven two point conversions. The most comparable season to use in Alstott’s long career (retired since 2006) came in 1999, when he recorded 949 rushing yards and ten total touchdowns.
Jackie Graff Senior Year Highlights
Mike “The A-Train” Alstott Buccaneers Highlights

Ricco Tate and Calvin Johnson

Ricco Tate:
Well-known for their size and speed, both players became nightmares for defensive backs to cover. It’s a fact that Calvin Johnson (Megatron) was the fastest player on his team during his time with the Detroit Lions. Being a teammate of Ricco Tate’s, I can guarantee that he is undoubtedly the fastest player for the Chargers. Megatron had an unbelievable career (2007-2015) including a number of incredible seasons, just like Tate’s extremely impressive season. Quarterback Tyler Bradley took advantage of his almost unfair height, often by using an ‘alley oop’ – throwing the ball up at the highest possible point for Tate to catch it. This ‘alley oop’ trick worked perfectly for Tate because at the end of the season he had 35 receptions for 531 yards, eight touchdowns, and four two-point conversions. Calvin Johnson is to many known as the greatest wide receiver of the 21st century, but he had an additional six games on Tate so stats aren’t really comparable between these two, however their physical features and playing styles definitely are.
Ricco Tate Junior Year Highlights
Top 10 Calvin Johnson Career Highlights | NFL

Connor White and “Big Snack” Casey Hampton

Connor White:
“Big Snack” Casey Hampton was a fan favorite for a long time in the city of Pittsburgh. He played Nose Tackle for the Steelers from 2001-2012. Hampton was a dominant force on the defensive line. He was so large it was difficult for any opposing lineman to move or block him. This is the same scenario for OLSH’s Nose Tackle Connor White. White was somewhat more mobile than Hampton, but they both were a force to be reckoned with. Their strength, size, and skill led to their success. In Hampton’s career he’s had numerous quarterback sacks, tackles for loss, multiple Pro Bowl selections, and two Super Bowl victories. In White’s four year career, he recorded a number of sacks and tackles, and defensively he’s been voted a two time All-Conference Nose Tackle and a Big-Seven Section Champion. Sixty-six and 98 are two outstanding defensive players and both fun to watch.
Connor White Highlights
Casey Hampton Career Highlights

Kalil Reeves and Khalil Mack

Kalil Reeves:
Their names aren’t the only thing similar. Khalil Mack plays Defensive End/Outside Linebacker for the Oakland Raiders and is considered one of the NFL’s best defensive players active today. Kalil Reeves was the defensive end for the Chargers, but unfortunately, a nagging leg injury kept him off the field for some time. When he was on the field, it was like watching the Raiders superstar. There’s two strong similarities between the two players: their hitting power and their impact on the game. In the first game of the season versus South Side Beaver, Kalil cracked the opposing running back. He sent him backwards for a solid five yard loss. That running back from SSB was statistically the best back to play against OLSH in the regular season and Kalil manhandled him with a hit that changed the momentum of the game. Kalil would go on to have many more hits and plays like that. Khalil Mack does the same, and when it comes to Mack, there’s too many examples to give just one. Overall, it’s not debatable that Khalil and Kalil definitely share those two significant features.
Kalil Reeves Highlight Reel
Khalil Mack || “DPOY” ᴴᴰ || 2016 Full Highlights

Brock Saftner and T. J. Watt

Brock Saftner:
I couldn’t compare Brock to JJ Watt because nobody’s as good JJ, but Brock is extremely similar to JJ’s brother, TJ Watt. These players are both considered young in their sport, Brock being only a Sophomore and Watt being a rookie. They share so many things: talent and skill, speed, intelligence, and toughness. It’s not fair for an offense to go against either of these two studs. Brock got to see some real playing time this year and he made the best of it. He recorded a copious amount of tackles and pass deflections. He also led the team in sacks and forced fumbles. Watt has been an eye-opener to NFL fans. Both these players have an older brother in the sport (Luke Saftner-OLSH, JJ Watt-Texans) and embrace the legacy of their family name. A very controversial matter for these two players is regarding awards. No doubt Brock got snubbed from an All-Conference team and Watt got snubbed from the Pro-Bowl, but these players are still young and still have plenty of time left in their career to get the recognition they deserve.
Brock Saftner Highlights
T. J. Watt Highlights vs. Browns

Danny Farrell and Nick Mangold

Danny Farrell:
This season, Danny Farrell did what many freshmen do not do – he made a legitimate impact. In Week Seven the Chargers starting Center, Jacen Young, went down due to illness. Farrell was the next man in line and had to step up. He had never played a single snap in high school and this was a big game for the Chargers, facing a number one ranked Union team. Farrell did in fact step up and guided the Chargers to a victory and a Conference Title. The reliability and skill of Farrell resembled a younger version of Nick Mangold. Mangold played a ten year career (2006-2016) all for the New York Jets. He made it to seven Pro Bowls and in 2009 he made it to the NFL All-Rookie Team. Like Farrell, Mangold was productive his rookie season. If Farrell continues to play the way he’s been, the Chargers could feature a Nick Mangold at Center and having a player like Nick Mangold in Single A football could be quite the advantage.

Dom “The Horse” Mazzaresse and Rob Gronkowski

Dom Mazzarese:
This comparison might show the most likenesses of all. They’re basically the same person. Gronkowski plays Tight End for the New England Patriots and Dom plays Running Back for the Chargers, but overlooking the difference in positions, the resemblance is uncanny. This year “The Horse,” had three rushes for 18 yards. That’s an average of six yards per rush! As of this year, Gronk recorded 69 receptions for 1,084 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Mazzaresse actually had more rushing yards than Gronk this year. The biggest similarity though is their level of hypeness. You’ll always see Gronk and Mazzaresse screaming and motivating their teammates. Their intensity for the game and their teams is wild and similarly unmatched. Next year, both these players will continue to bring intensity to the game. There is no easier comparison to make than these two players.

Obviously these NFL players have had phenomenal careers. If these OLSH players continue to play like NFL superstars, they can go on to have fantastic careers as well. Some of these players like Graff and White hope to continue their career as college players and the rest will resume their OLSH playing career in the fall with hopes for a WPIAL Championship.