With three of Desert Edge’s offensive linemen earning scholarships to Division I colleges, it’s no wonder football coach Jose Lucero thinks he has one of the best offensive lines in the state.

Max Wilhite, Austin Young and Tyson Jones make up half of the offensive line, and they have already committed to their respective schools.

“The six kids that play O-line for us every night, I’d put them up against anybody,” Lucero said. “They’re a big, physical, mean group.”

While every player in the group could be defined as a “big, mean” player, each one has a separate story that makes him stand out as an individual.

The Brains

Wilhite has a strong work ethic that translates to a high football IQ. This work ethic has not only gotten him noticed by New Mexico State, where he recently committed, but also allowed him to excel in school where he currently has a 4.0 unweighted GPA.

“Max is a really bright kid who works real hard,” Lucero said.

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Wilhite has an appreciation for academics that he said most students his age don’t have.

“Growing up I’ve always had an interest in school,” Wilhite said. “Most people don’t but I appreciate just learning new things and I try to respect my teachers and just turn in all my work.”

Wilhite attributes his early success and interest in academics to his father, who drove him to exceed in class at an early age. Now that Wilhite is older, he has learned to push himself without his father’s help.

“It’s a tribute to not only (Max) but also to his family,” Lucero said. “The importance they put on academics in his household definitely shows in Max.”

His intelligence is not only important in class; it also plays an essential role at center for the Desert Edge team.

“With Max we ask him to make line calls and adjustments,” Lucero said. “Which is huge for us because we see a new front every week.”

The Brawn

Young is the muscle to an already strong offensive line. His strength is something that Lucero raves about.

“Austin Young is extremely physically talented,” Lucero said. “(He’s) one of the more explosive, strong guys I’ve ever coached.”

Young’s strong attributes play an important function that gets the team rolling.

“Austin and Tyson both play tackle for us,” Lucero said. “They’re the tip of the spears so to speak, we run right behind them and they always have a huge block every play.”

These unique features got Young a scholarship to New Mexico State, where he recently committed.

“I am excited to journey into a new place,” Young said. “It’s a nice town. I like the weather, it’s really nice, and it’s a very friendly atmosphere.”

While Young may be starting this new journey into an unfamiliar city, he won’t be doing it alone.

Wilhite and Young will be looking to continue the next chapter of their lives at New Mexico State together as teammates and close friends.

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“Austin, he’s a great guy,” Wilhite said. “We have our little fights every now and then just messing around with each other, but I’m super excited to play with him for the next four years.”

The Bronze

Gold may be a better description for the track and field star, who recently committed to Virginia Tech, as he is a two-time state champion in shot put.

“Tyson Jones is a freak athlete all around,” Lucero said. “(Jones is a) tremendous shot put thrower. He definitely works on his craft tirelessly.”

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Jones still remembers the feeling he got after throwing just over 60 feet his sophomore year when he won state for the first time.

“It was electrifying,” Jones said. “I had a smile on my face that carried on for like thirty minutes after.”

Last season Jones set his personal high of 67 feet and 6.5 inches as he went on to repeat as state champion.

This year Jones is looking to three-peat as a state champion in shot put and improve his personal high to 74 or 75 feet.

While some may tell athletes to focus on one sport, Jones believes that the work he puts in when he’s throwing and on the football field helps him become strong and more explosive in both sports as he attempts to reach his goals.

New Teams, Lasting Memories

While very different, these three seniors and the rest of the line make up what they say is one of the best offensive lines in the state.

At least until the end of the season these players will all share a common goal until they go off to find their own paths after senior graduation.

However, as all three will continue their journey into college, it is highly unlikely that the offensive linemen will forget the tight friendships that they formed early on in high school.

“Ever since sophomore year we all formed really special bonds together,” Jones said. “We have all grown up together, we’ve all formed good special bonds and it’s what made us really close together.”