Erik Kohler Erik Kohler is a big man.

Big hands, big legs, big arms, big pectorals and big hair—Oaks Christian’s 6-foot-5, 285-pound left tackle is the total package on a football field.

And Kohler has plenty of skills to complement his superior physical attributes.

“People are very much aware of his size, but he’s also very athletic,” said OCHS offensive and defensive line coach Bob Richards, who’s spent more than 40 years in the game, including a stint as head coach at Thousand Oaks High from 1983 through 1994.

“Erik has a great combination of being able to be a pass-blocker and a very aggressive run-blocker. It’s a unique combination,” Richards said.

On an offense loaded with star-power—quarterback Nick Montana, running back Malcolm Jones, wide receiver Jordan Payton and lineman Cassius Marsh are premier players at their positions in the country—Kohler serves as the muscle in the Lions’ full-throttle attack.

LARGE AND IN CHARGE—Oaks Christian left tackle ErKohler, 18, is one of the top-rated offensive linemen in the natio Rarely, if ever, does the 18yearold seniortobe face an opponent who can match his size, strength and quickness off the ball—he can bench press 350 pounds, squat 415 and run the 40yard dash in 4.9 seconds.

Last season, his second as a starter on the Oaks Christian offensive line, Kohler didn’t allow a oneonone sack while protecting Montana’s blind side.

“We primarily go up against Pac-10-type defensive ends, guys that are tall and quick,” said Kohler, a Camarillo resident.

“But I like to think that no one can stop me, no matter how big they are or how fast they are. I’m not trying to be cocky, just confident. And there’s a big difference between the two, of course.”

An avid surfer with shaggy blond hair who rides a 9-foot-6 longboard at his favorite Ventura spots such as C Street and Mondos—drop in on the guy at your own peril, by the way— Kohler has been a hot commodity in the recruiting scene since colleges could start making offers during his junior season.

In September 2008, he was offered a scholarship to the University of Arizona. Since then, Washington, Cal-Berkeley, Notre Dame, UCLA, USC and Arizona State, among others, have joined the pursuit.

“It can get overwhelming when you have so many letters,” he said. “It can also be flattering because you’re getting so much attention.

“But every school has treated me really well, and I appreciate everything they’ve done. I just don’t know where I want to go yet.”

Along the way, Kohler has had the opportunity to meet some of college football’s most highprofile leaders, including USC’s Pete Carroll and Charlie Weis of Notre Dame.

“I’m just kind of blown away that I even get to talk to these coaches,” said Kohler, adding that he hopes to make a decision on college before the fall season begins.

Bill Redell, Oaks Christian’s head coach, said Kohler compares favorably to previous Lion linemen that went on to play at bigtime universities.

“Oh, absolutely,” Redell said. “Most of the tackles I’ve had ended up moving to different positions. . . . but he’s being looked at primarily as a tackle.”

In addition to his role on the offensive line, Kohler, a history buff who sports a 3.3 cumulative grade-point average, will also see action in the Lions’ defensive line rotation this year.

Kohler plans on using the time on defense as a way to better his offensive game.

“The primary focus for me playing defense is to find out what the defensive lineman’s mindset is,” he said. “That way, I know what he’s going to do to me when I’m on offense. That’s going to really improve my offensive game.”

Working with Richards has enabled Kohler to become more versatile on the field and a better student of the game off it, particularly in the film room.

“Coach Richards is big on getting off the ball, being explosive and keeping your pads low, because the low man is going to win,” Kohler said. “If you don’t do that, you can’t succeed on the offensive line. . . .

“And he’s always finding out new things. He’s one of the most meticulous coaches ever. Every single day he’ll have two or three pieces of paper completely filled with notes on both sides after watching film.”

Both Redell and Richards rave about Kohler’s work ethic, attitude and teamwork. Richards, in particular, appreciates the way the lineman handles criticism.

“It’s one of the greatest attributes he has,” Richards said.

“So often a skilled athlete has trouble accepting criticism because they’ve had great levels of success. The criticism is not intended to demean an athlete; it’s to help them grow to play the game. And Eric understands this so well by accepting our coaching.”

In a big man’s game, Kohler stands head and shoulders above most. Still, he understands that size can only get a player so far. Effort, he says, is what keeps a player in the starting lineup.

“When you go out on that field, you have to know that no one is going to beat you, even if they are bigger or better,” he said. “You have to play harder than they do, and you have to want to win more than they do.

“With that mentality, any player, no matter how big or tall they are, can beat the person they go up against.”