The Real Deal: Why Ethan Lorenz Reminds Me of the OL Who Actually Make It
ONTARIO, CA — Look, I’ve been around this game long enough to know the difference between guys who talk about being leaders and guys who just are leaders. During my playing days, you learned real quick which teammates you could count on when your back was against the wall.
Those are the guys who made it. Those are the guys who lasted.
Ethan Lorenz is one of those guys.
At 5’11”, 255 pounds, the Ontario Christian offensive lineman doesn’t fit the “prototype” that recruiting services obsess over. But here’s what I learned in the pros: prototypes lose games. Players win them. And Ethan Lorenz is a player.
When the Season Goes Sideways, That’s When You Find Out Who’s Real
The Knights didn’t have the season they wanted. That’s football. But here’s what separates the pretenders from the contenders — how you handle adversity when nobody’s watching your highlight reel.
Ethan never flinched.
While other kids were pointing fingers or going through the motions, this young man showed up every single day and set the tone. That’s not coach-speak. That’s real leadership. The kind that translates to the next level.
“You never hear Ethan complain. He just goes out and does his job at a high level, every single down.”
That right there? That’s what coaches are looking for. Because talent is everywhere. Heart and consistency? That’s rare.
The 4.1 GPA Difference — This Kid Gets It
Here’s something they don’t tell you when you’re 17: your football career has an expiration date. Mine did. Everyone’s does. But your education? That’s yours forever.
Ethan carries a 4.1 GPA.
Let me put that in perspective — this young man is pancaking defensive linemen on Friday nights and crushing honors classes the rest of the week. That’s not just impressive. That’s professional-level discipline. That’s the mentality of someone who understands that the biggest hit you’ll ever take is being unprepared for life after the game.
When I was coming up, we had a saying: “Take care of your business in the classroom, and the field will take care of itself.” Ethan embodies that. And college coaches notice that maturity. They’re not just recruiting a player — they’re recruiting a young man who has his priorities straight.
The Engine That Makes Everyone Better
I played with Pro Bowlers and practice squad guys. The difference? The great ones made everyone around them better. They didn’t need the spotlight. They didn’t need validation. They just worked.
Ethan’s coaches call him the “engine” of that offensive line. That tells me everything I need to know. The engine doesn’t get the glory — the running back does. But without that engine grinding it out in the trenches, nobody’s going anywhere.
His teammates feed off his energy. The community rallies behind his example. That’s leadership you can’t teach — you either have it or you don’t.
See For Yourself — The Film Doesn’t Lie
Here’s what I tell every coach I work with: forget the measurements for a minute. Watch the tape. The film tells you everything you need to know about a player’s heart, technique, and football IQ.
🎥 WATCH ETHAN LORENZ’S HUDL HIGHLIGHTS
You’ll see what I’m talking about — consistent pad level, relentless finish, and the kind of effort that shows up play after play. That’s not something you can coach into someone. Either you have that motor or you don’t.
My Take: What’s Next for Ethan
Here’s what I know from experience: the young men who make it at the next level aren’t always the most talented. They’re the most relentless. They’re the ones who show up early, stay late, and refuse to let their teammates down.
Ethan Lorenz already holds multiple college offers, and he’s earned every single one of them. Not because of some recruiting service hype. Because of work.
As he prepares for the next chapter, my advice to college coaches looking at this Class of 2026 prospect is simple: you’re not just getting a solid offensive lineman. You’re getting a foundation piece. You’re getting someone who understands that football is about more than stats — it’s about sacrifice, integrity, and making the guy next to you better.
The Bottom Line
In a world where everyone wants to be a highlight, Ethan Lorenz is content being the foundation. That’s old-school in the best way possible. That’s the kind of player who builds programs.
I’ve seen thousands of recruits come through the CA-Recruits system. The ones who remind me of Ethan are usually the ones I end up watching on Saturdays, then Sundays.
This kid’s story is just getting started. And if he keeps leading the way he’s been leading? His best football is still ahead of him.
Keep grinding, young man. The game respects people who respect the game.
DeJon Jernagin
Owner, CA-Recruits | Former Professional Athlete
📧 Coaches: For more information on Ethan Lorenz, contact CA-Recruits
🎥 Film: hudl.com/v/2LpV88
🏷️ #OntarioChristian #EthanLorenz #ClassOf2026 #ScholarAthlete #CARecruits #RepMaxMedia #Leadership #TheRealDeal #OldSchoolValues