Starting Lineup: Hunter Svoboda a ‘towering presence’ who moves like a gazelle
To recognize the top players in Berks football MikeDragoSports.com has selected the “Starting Lineup,” a preseason All-Berks team that includes the top linemen, backs, receivers, linebackers and specialists.
Players were selected based on past performance, expected performance this season and college potential. Two-way players were given special consideration. One player will be introduced each day, in random order (the players are not ranked).
Former NFL lineman and recruiting expert Ross Tucker offers comments on some of the selections.
Hunter Svoboda, Fleetwood
| 6-7 | 265 | Senior | OT |
BACKSTORY: When coaches at William & Mary stopped by the Svoboda household a few years ago to talk to Joey, a 6-5 Fleetwood lineman, they took a look at younger brother Hunter and said: “We’ll be back.”
Two years later they fullfilled their promise. They offered a scholarship to Hunter, who has sprouted to 6-7 and has loads of upside at his offensive tackle spot.
Svoboda was off the radar for a lot of college programs; some thought he wasn’t going to be able to put on enough weight to stay on the O-line.
He showed them wrong, hitting the weight room and adding 25 pounds since the end of last season; he’s now up to 265 and still looks lean. His frame can easily handle more weight.
“Hunter is a towering presence who uses his length and athleticism to beat you to the spot,” said Tigers coach Steve Pangburn. “For someone his size he has particularly good movement. Accompany that with the size he has added to his frame (and) he has become a complete tackle.”
Svoboda’s ability to move is his best asset. He’s played basketball his whole life and the footwork he’s developed playing the pivot have aided his agility.
“He’s a fluid athlete,” said Pangburn. “He’s no giraffe out there. He’s more like a gazelle. When we’re running sprints with the linemen, he’s out there leading the group. You don’t find many guys 6-7 who can move like him.”
Svoboda said one of the things the William & Mary coaches like most about him is his feet and ability to move; most guys his size aren’t quite so mobile.
“They like how I can get to the second and third level and finish blocks down the field,” Svoboda said. “That’s what they want to see.”
Svoboda is part of a huge offensive line that Pangburn is counting on to carry the Tigers as they try to move up in Section 3 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League after winning just two games last year.
Svoboda is so important to that unit that his time on defense will be limited.
“We expect him to anchor our offensive line,” Pangburn said. “We’ve designed a lot of stuff around his skill set.”
Svoboda was the starting center on Fleetwood’s basketball team, which went 22-5, won the Berks III title and reached the District 3 Class 4A championship game last season. He averaged 5.4 points; he had a career-high 15 in a district playoff win over Littlestown and 12 in the championship game.
A few years back Svoboda thought basketball was going to be his ticket.
“When colleges started calling for him (about football), he saw the direction they were coming,” Pangburn said. “That narrowed his focus.”
The decision to play for William & Mary, which competes in the Colonial Athletic Association, was not a difficult one for Svoboda. He’ll get a chance to play again with Joey, who is entering his redshirt freshman season.
“He’s a part of why I committed there,” Svoboda said. “To be on the field with him for another couple of years is gonna be great.”
ROLE: Offensive line anchor at tackle.
COLLEGE PROSPECTS: Committed to William & Mary in June.
TUCKER’S TAKE: “Great frame and length makes him a really intriguing prospect at the next level. Has good feet and works very hard to finish, which is critical for offensive linemen. Needs to get bigger and stronger, which will happen in college. Should be poised for a great year for the Tigers.”
Starting Lineup
| Caleb Brewer | Wyomissing | T/DT |
| Edison Case | Wilson | WR/S/KR |
| Dominic Giuffre | Schuylkill Valley | RB/OLB |
| Michael Miller | Muhlenberg | RB/OLB/KR |
| Nathan Pashley | Exeter | S/QB/WR/P/KR |
| Mason Semmel | Hamburg | HB/TE/DT |
| Hunter Svoboda | Fleetwood | OT |
| Ean Winchester | Twin Valley | HB/TE/DT |
| Zack Zandier | Exeter | TE/DE |
