Dandy Dozen: Lipscomb's Rutger Reitmaier a versatile lineman

Lipscomb Academy’s Rutger Reitmaier certainly possesses the size and strength necessary to play at the next level, but perhaps the Oregon commitment’s greatest attribute is versatility.

Lipscomb defensive lineman and Oregon commitment Rutger Reitmaier is No. 6 on this year’s Dandy Dozen.

“To me that’s the best part about him; he’s interchangeable at so many different positions,” Lipscomb coach Scott Tillman said. “We try to look for ways we can use him to cause matchup problems, and I think that’s what a lot of schools want to do with him as well.”

Over the previous two seasons, Reitmaier, a three-star defensive lineman and the state’s 11th-ranked prospect according to 247Sports, has dominated in opponents’ backfields, registering 103 tackles — 28 behind the line of scrimmage — and nine sacks.

And he’s done so from all across the Mustangs’ defensive front.

“I’m a little all over so you’ll see me everywhere,” said Reitmaier, a senior. “Nose guard all the way out to a five technique, I’m really everywhere so I don’t get double- or triple- teamed.”

Reitmaier, a 2015 Mr. Football semifinalist and the Region 6-4A Defensive MVP, comes in at No. 6 on the Dandy Dozen, a list of top senior college football prospects in Middle Tennessee as selected by The Tennessean high school sports staff with input from area high school coaches and recruiting services.

2016 Dandy Dozen: Top college football prospects

“A lot of people were projecting him as a defensive tackle, and I think Oregon is thinking about him as a defensive end,” Tillman said. “You just don’t see a guy 6-foot-3½, 285 pounds who can run like he can. He’s pretty violent with his hands and he has such a great motor. That’s what makes him unique.”

Reitmaier’s offers included Arkansas, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Vanderbilt, among others. He committed to Oregon on June 8.

“Some of my top schools were Tennessee, Oregon and Nebraska,” Reitmaier said. “Ultimately I ended up choosing Oregon because I felt most at home there.

“I think they have a great plan for me. I was really excited when I went up there and I think I’m going to fit in well with my speed.”

Lipscomb, which is coming off its third straight eight-win season, opens the year Aug. 26 at Page.

Dandy Dozen: No. 6 Rutger Reitmaier of Lipscomb

Lipscomb defensive lineman and Oregon commitment Rutger Reitmaier is No. 6 on this year’s Dandy Dozen.

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Dandy Dozen No. 9: T.J. Carter of Stratford

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Dandy Dozen No. 10: Theo Jackson of Overton

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Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.

No. 6 — Rutger Reitmaier

Lipscomb, Defensive end

Height: 6-3 Weight: 275

247Sports composite: Three stars

College plans: Committed to Oregon on June 8.

2015 statistics: Reitmaier, a 2015 All-Midstate third-teamer, posted 66 tackles — 17 behind the line of scrimmage — with seven sacks and four forced fumbles.