Film Room: Aba Selm

On3 imageby:Adam Luckett02/02/23

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The top goal for Kentucky football this offseason was to find a transfer quarterback and fix the offensive line. The Wildcats went to the transfer portal to check both boxes but recruiting wins must be stacked in the offensive line room to build for the future.

After signing three offensive line players in the 2023 cycle, that position remains a big need in 2024. Kentucky is addressing that need early. After landing an in-state commitment from Hayes Johnson last week, the Wildcats added another commitment on Thursday morning.

Independence (Ky.) Simon Kenton offensive lineman Aba Selm is now committed to the Wildcats as in-state recruiting is off to a fast start for Vince Marrow. But now it’s time to figure out what kind of player offensive line coach Zach Yenser will be adding to his position room.

Selm is an athletic line-of-scrimmage prospect with good movement skills and violent hands. The three-star recruit could potentially play guard or tackle at the next level. Let’s dive into the film.

Playing for Simon Kenton, it becomes pretty obvious quickly that Aba Selm is one of the most important players on offense for the Pioneers. In their gap scheme run game, Selm is often used as a puller from his left tackle position. The rising junior excels at completing blocks in space.

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Simon Kenton goes with a QB GT counter action with both the left guard and left tackle pulling into the weakside of the formation to create a lane for the run. After the guard does a good job of pinning the defensive end inside, that leaves Selm one-on-one with the playside linebacker. The Kentucky commit does a good job of playing under control and sinks his hips upon contact. That gives him an immediate leverage advantage that quickly turns into a pancake block. Selm is very comfortable playing on the move and has real value as a puller in a gap scheme run game because of it.

However, that movement ability shows up in other areas. When asked to climb to the second level, Selm does a very good job playing under control and allowing his physical attributes to take over and win reps.

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On the first rep, Simon Kenton goes with a zone concept that ask Aba Selm to climb to the second level. That proves to be no problem as the left tackle buries the playside linebacker with a violent strike that ends in a knockdown block. On the second rep, Simon Kenton again goes with a GT counter but this time Selm is the playside tackle. Therefore, he must climb to the second level and seal off the weakside linebacker. Firing out of his stance with good pad level, Selm does a good job of anticipating the linebacker’s track and meeting him halfway. Once locked on, the rep is over.

Grip strength, strong hands, and movement ability all show up even in non-pulling situations. There is value as a puller, but Aba Selm also would be a good fit in an outside zone scheme due to this combination of skills.

The most difficult part about scouting high school offensive line prospects is trying to determine both the ceiling and floor as a future pass protector at the next level. Aba Selm has some fundamental work to be done in this regard, but it’s obvious that there is some real potential there due to his athleticism.

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On the first rep, Aba Selm flashes some play strength quickly once his hands are locked on. In the second rep, Simon Kenton goes to a sprint out concept. Selm does a great job of working down first to give his left guard help as the defense runs a tackle/end stunt. The 2024 prospect shows solid football IQ here by going inside out and picking up this stunt with ease.

Selm has some tools to use in pass protection.

It’s important to realize when scouting any offensive line player that power is non-negotiable. We must see prospects move opposing defensive line players off the ball in a linear fashion in high school. In a real-life Oklahoma drill, these prospective recruits must dominate. Aba Selm checks this box.

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There is a lot to like about Aba Selm

If Kentucky is truly committed to becoming a wide zone offense, the offensive line room needs to add prospects with functional athleticism that have the ability to climb to the second level and make blocks in space. That athleticism should also tie-in with pass protection.

Aba Selm seems to check that box.

Without knowing his full measurables (arm length, wingspan, etc.), we can just go off the listed height and weight right now. Per the On3 database, Selm (6-4, 295) appears to be a tweener between guard and tackle. At this point, Kenneth Horsey is not a terrible comp for the Northern Kentucky native as an athletic lineman with a high pass protection ceiling and the potential to play tackle.

However, there are a lot of tools that should translate to the next level. Selm is a good puller, climbs to the second level with ease, flashes good football IQ, and shows off solid play strength. There is a high ceiling as a pass protector and his playing style would seem to easily translate to an outside zone scheme due to his ability to play in space.

Kentucky needs tackles in a bad way. Aba Selm may be able to check this box. If not, there should be a clear home for the 2024 commit at guard. Kentucky has recorded a big in-state recruiting win.

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2024-03-28