Futures Combine: PRZ Next Top Offensive Line Performers

Not to be lost with all the FBU action going on in Naples, Fla. in late December, the Futures Combine saw north of 225 athletes from all over the country compete. Athletes from the classes of 2029 (5th grade) through 2025 (9th grade) competed for a host of awards, opportunities and invitations to national events. In addition to Prep Redzone Next, representatives from FBU, Under Armour and the All-American Bowl on NBC were in attendance checking out some of the brightest young stars in the country. With the exception of kickers/punters and long snappers, all the positions were on display. Athletes were put through the combine testing and one-on-one competitive drills, designed to allow athletes to show off what they can do. Without further ado, here’s a look at the offensive linemen that stood out. The Big Dog <img class="alignleft wp-image-258732 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/BearMcWhorterCombine-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" />Knowing he'd be at the futures combine, I knew it would take a pretty special performance from somebody else to knock Bear McWhorter from the top spot. However, that wouldn't be the case, as the 6-foot-3, 270-pound 2026 prospect from Georgia was dominant. He has early high school varsity time in his future and is on an upward trajectory for playing on Saturday's at a P5 school. He's the son of a coach, has good genetics and understands the game of football at a deeper level than most other prospects at this level.       The Next Best <img class="alignleft wp-image-258736 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/KatrellWebbCombine-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Katrell Webb out of Georgia also had himself an impressive afternoon, as he earned an invitation to the Under Armour Next Game to be played on January 2nd in Orlando. Webb is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound prospect that shined as an offensive tackle. He was a member of the FBU GFL team that won the 8th grade National Championship tournament and sharpened his skills by going against the likes of Deuce Geralds, Tyler Atkinson and others every day in practice.   <img class="alignleft wp-image-258737 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/LangstonHoggCombine-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />It seemed like everywhere I looked there were kids from Georgia impressing with their play. Langston Hogg was another prospect from the Peach State that dominated in the combine. He, like Webb, played on the FBU GFL team and proved that iron really does sharpen iron. At 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, he also earned an invitation to the Under Armour Next Game to be played on January 2nd in Orlando.   <img class="alignleft wp-image-258746 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/BradyHullCombine-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Despite being one of the younger offensive linemen at the combine as a 2027 prospect, Brady Hull was extremely impressive. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Kentucky 7th grader had the best size of any younger offensive lineman and was very strong at the point of engagement. He showed off a strong base and moved his feet at an advanced level. Really liked his technique overall. Was very obvious to see why he was named his conference's player of the year during the regular season.   <img class="alignleft wp-image-258748 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/TeddyWelch-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Putting on for his home state of Florida, center Teddy Welch had a good combine. Welch was one of the shorter 2026 offensive linemen at just 5-foot-11 but he was a very stout 250 pounds. Welch clearly understood leverage and stayed lower than the defensive linemen that lined across from him. He's about as pure a center as you'll find on the middle school level with his quick punch and squatty nature.   The Best of the Rest <img class="alignleft wp-image-258751 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/BrodySmithCombine-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Brody Smith showed a ton of potential for a 2026 prospect. He's a long-limbed offensive tackle in the making, with height you can't teach. He needs to, and will, continue to fill out as he develops. Once he puts on the weight and muscle needed, he has a very high ceiling.     <img class="alignleft wp-image-258752 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/DennisForte-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />A second Florida kid that had a pretty good afternoon was Dennis Forte. Forte has a strong build for a 2026 offensive lineman, as he's billed at 6-foot-2 and 255 pounds. Would like to see Forte be a little more aggressive at the point of contact, but he has good size and plays at a competitive level at this point.     <img class="alignleft wp-image-258753 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/PrestonBernard-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Preston Bernard looked pretty good on the interior line for just being a 2027 prospect. At around 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, he's a compact, strong prospect that showed a high level of athleticism for being a middle school offensive lineman. The Pennsylvania-native made the trip down and showed well.     <img class="alignleft wp-image-258754 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/OwenBernard-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Not to be outdone, twin brother Owen Bernard also did well. He seemed just a tiny bit bigger than his brother, but their games are exact replicas of each other. I think Owen, like Preston, certainly have a bright future on the high school level once they get there.