Inside The Rankings: #TN2023 O-Line Breakdown
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Diving back into our #PRZTN 2023 Top 150, here we look at possibly the deepest position group of all for this year’s recruiting class, the offensive line and how they stack up within our latest rankings. This group is top…
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Continue ReadingDiving back into our #PRZTN 2023 Top 150, here we look at possibly the deepest position group of all for this year’s recruiting class, the offensive line and how they stack up within our latest rankings.
This group is top heavy with Power Five prospects but ranges very deep with guys who are under the radar but talented enough to make it into the D1 ranks, so the deeper you look, the more depth you will find!
1. (OT/G) Brycen Sanders Brycen Sanders 6'6" | 285 lbs | OL Baylor School | 2023 State TN (6’6 290) – Baylor School
#PRZTN Ranking: 1st Ranked OL; 3rd Overall
– This is just not the top rated O-lineman but also one of the top overall prospects from the entire in-state 2023 class. Sanders has all the physical traits and tools that Power Five coaches want on their offensive line and he is still far from a finished product. The biggest trait that appeals to college coaches the most is his versatility and ability to play all five positions across the line. He could play left tackle in college as he has the length, size and athleticism to do so. Sanders is a worker and high character guy that brings a lot of value to the football field and the locker room. He is down to a top four schools of LSU, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Tennessee, so you will be seeing this guy on the Power Five level very soon.
2. (OG) Lance Williams Lance Williams 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Alcoa | 2023 State TN (6’4 285) – Alcoa
#PRZTN Ranking: 2nd Ranked OL; 10th Overall
– The best guard prospect in the state is Williams and this guy is someone you can see starting on a college offensive line for multiple years along with the upside to develop into an All-Conference player. A state champion in wrestling, Williams is a road grader, a mauler that loves physical contact and consistently puts his man on the ground, racking up those pancakes. This Tornadoes interior lineman gets to the 2nd level very well and does so with ease using his explosive lower body and leverage. Williams knows how to lock up his opponent and drive them away from the action. He is heavily recruited by several top level programs but to me, Williams still sits a little under the radar as possibly one of the top guard prospects in the country.
3. (OT/G) Tyler Jeffries Tyler Jeffries 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Alcoa | 2023 State TN (6’5 305) – Alcoa
#PRZTN Ranking: 3rd Ranked OL; 16th Overall
– The other top lineman on the Tornadoes O-line is Jeffries and he provides versatility along with a nasty demeanor that opponents feel on a consistent basis. This East Tennessee product plays with good balance along with powerful hands that keep defenders at bay. He is better suited right now in the run game but his pass blocking is coming along very well at the moment. Like Sanders above, Jeffries biggest trait for the college game is his versatility. He could line up at right tackle and handle himself just fine but could also slide inside at guard and dominate his position. Jeffries is all over the Power Five, D1 radar, holding offers from the likes of Florida St. Oregon, Kentucky and others, so this is definitely a wanted young man.
4. (OT/G) Luke Brown Luke Brown 6'6" | 305 lbs | OL Henry Co. | 2023 State TN (6’6 305) – Henry Co.
#PRZTN Ranking: 4th Ranked OL; 17th Overall
– Brown has been a marked man on the recruiting trail going on for two years now and it’s well earned as this big and burly rising senior will be playing on the Power Five, D1 level starting next Fall. The reason for that and reason for being inside the #PRZTN Top 20 is because of his size, smarts and ability to physically dominate his opponent. Brown is a big dude that could play a variety of positions on the next level. He has the size of a tackle and could stay there in college but could definitely move inside to guard and perform at a high level. Many schools are in hot pursuit for this Patriots O-lineman but this could be an SEC battle for Brown between Arkansas, Missouri and Vanderbilt. Whoever he signs with will be getting a talented guy with a strong work ethic.
5. (OT/G) Joe Crocker Joe Crocker 6'6" | 310 lbs | OL FRA | 2023 State TN (6’6 305) – FRA
#PRZTN Ranking: 5th Ranked OL; 19th Overall
– Over the past two years, Crocker has worked very hard at developing his craft and body and now he is starting to come into his own as not only one of the top O-linemen in this state but the country as well. This Middle Tennessee product has been working extra hard over this offseason to improve his body as well as his feet. Crocker is already a big dude that can maul people but the development of his lower base and body weight will make a big difference for him on the collegiate level. This is a tackle prospect that fits good on the right side but could easily handle himself very well on the interior. Crocker has several big offers, so expect to see this England native playing Power Five football next Fall.
6. (OT) Brandon Solis Brandon Solis 6'8" | 275 lbs | OL Lipscomb Acad. | 2023 State TN (6’8 260) – Lipscomb Academy
#PRZTN Ranking: 6th Ranked OL; 20th Overall
– Within our early O-line rankings, Solis could be the one guy who has the biggest upside of anybody and he is far from a finished product and a guy with big potential inside the college game. Solis is all sorts of tall and long with a big radius that can take on more weight. He is a bonafide offensive tackle prospect that shows on the film the potential to handle the left side, protecting the quarterback. He has an agile, active lower base that can keep up with pass rushers but also the arm length to keep them at bay. Solis takes up a lot of space, so it’s tough for defenders to get by him. You can easily see why multiple top level college programs have offered and are in pursuit of Solis because this guy has the traits to be your blindside protector.
7. (C/G) Cal Grubbs Cal Grubbs 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Maryville | 2023 State TN (6’4 285) – Maryville
#PRZTN Ranking: 7th Ranked OL; 25th Overall
– If you’re looking for a rock solid, consistent performer and one of the best workers around, Grubbs is your guy! This young man is an ultimate worker that constantly works at developing his craft and someone that absolutely loves the game of football. Grubbs is a legit center that can make all the calls, dominate in run blocking and handle himself just fine blocking pass rushers. On top of being highly football smart, Grubbs is also a good athlete with a strong, agile lower base. He also has active hands and knows how to play with leverage. This East Tennessee product has all the tools of a Power Five center and several programs are hot on his trail, hoping to bring Grubbs into the fold.
8. (OT/G) Ayden Bussell Ayden Bussell 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Mt. Juliet | 2023 State TN (6’5 290) – Mt. Juliet
#PRZTN Ranking: 8th Ranked OL; 29th Overall
– Currently committed to Tennessee, Bussell is a big, burly, physical young man that already looks the part of a college lineman but of course still has a ways to go before reaching his maximum capabilities. The Golden Bears rising senior will step on campus in Knoxville next Fall already as one of the more physically imposing players on the team and someone that will work his tail off to earn early playing time. Bussell sports a powerful lower base along with heavy hands that punish defenders in the run game. Pass blocking is where Bussell must continue to improve, which is why I have him set to be a guard on the collegiate level. This guy could develop into one of the better run blockers in a Vols uniform over the course of the next few years.
9. (OT/G) Tyler Bell Tyler Bell 6'3" | 295 lbs | OL Lausanne | 2023 State TN (6’3 295) – Lausanne
#PRZTN Ranking: 9th Ranked OL; 39th Overall
– Bell is one of the more underrated O-linemen from this in-state 2023 class and by summer’s end, this West Tennessee product could place himself into Power Five consideration, especially with strong work during college camps. Versatility, athleticism and brute power are the three main traits that stick out about Bell when watching him on film. He has the lower base mobility to man the tackle position in college, most likely the right side but could definitely swing over to guard and develop into a dominant man in the middle. Bell holds a few D1 offers at the moment but I could really see his recruitment explode over the next few months.
10. (OT/G) Caleb Dorris Caleb Dorris 6'6" | 265 lbs | OL Ensworth | 2023 State TN (6’6 265) – Ensworth
#PRZTN Ranking: 10th Ranked OL; 42nd Overall
– Ensworth has some top college prospects on their roster for the ‘22 season but the one guy who many may not know about but is starting to pick up steam on the recruiting is Dorris. This 6’6 blindside blocker has all sorts of upside and potential for the next level and college coaches are starting to take notice. Dorris has a lean frame that can definitely take on more weight and it’s a look that coaches want in their tackles. He also is a good athlete that moves well and shows the lower body mobility to keep up with edge rushers. He does have more work to do before he develops fully but Dorris brings a lot of traits to the field that translates to the college game and possibly even the Power Five level as well.
11. (OT/G) Eli Freeman Eli Freeman 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL Lebanon | 2023 State TN (6’5 285) – Lebanon
#PRZTN Ranking: 11th Ranked OL; 51st Overall
– Just outside the Top 50 overall prospects, Freeman is a versatile, high football IQ O-lineman that is steadily rising up the charts on college recruiting boards and could soon see a spike of new offers. The Blue Devils rising senior is one of the hardest workers you will find in this state. He has worked on his body big time, slimming up and becoming more athletic over this offseason. Freeman is a versatile guy that could play either tackle position or slide inside to guard, so his value across the line is quite high. This is also a high character young man that will brings tons of high qualities to a college team both on and off the field.
12. (OG/C) Nate Bledsoe Nate Bledsoe 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Briarcrest Christian | 2023 State TN (6’4 280) – Briarcrest Christian
#PRZTN Ranking: 12th Ranked OL; 52nd Overall
– Bledsoe started coming on the scene last year as a junior but this current offseason, this West Tennessee O-lineman has really taken his game and recruitment to another level to where he is a bonafide D1 prospect. One of the better pulling, trapping, athletic linemen from the in-state ‘23 class, Bledsoe is a highly mobile guy that could play anywhere on the interior of the offensive line. The Saints rising senior also plays with great leverage and intensity that translates very well to the next level. Look for this guys stock to rise at some point as he is too smart, too mobile and too aggressive to be passed over by Power Five programs.
13. (OT/G) Elijah Prather Elijah Prather 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL LaVergne | 2023 State TN (6’4 285) – LaVergne
#PRZTN Ranking: 13th Ranked OL; 54th Overall
– This guy is definitely under the radar and a prospect that I expect to show out this summer in college camps to gain those needed offers. Prather is very explosive and punishes his opponents everytime he gets his heavy hands latched on. When watching his film, this Wolverines lineman shows the ability to play multiple positions on the next level and even possibly handle left tackle. Prather is athletic with a mobile, strong lower base and he is still developing and learning the game. Eastern Ky was the first school to extend an offer but they certainly won’t be the last.
14. (OT/G) Luke Needham Luke Needham 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Houston | 2023 State TN (6’5 300) – Houston
#PRZTN Ranking: 14th Ranked OL; 56th Overall
– Needham is a big, burly guy that provides good value on the offensive line as a possible right tackle but definitely someone that could play either guard spot on the interior. The Mustangs stud O-lineman is heavy handed and uses those hands well at slowing down his opponents then locking on for the finish. He has been working hard this offseason to improve his athleticism and mobility and by the videos I’ve seen, Needham has definitely gotten better. This West Tennessee product already holds multiple FCS offers but after strong summer camp work, Needham could see his D1 interest increase.
15. (OT/G) George Steih George Steih 6'5" | 265 lbs | OL Franklin-Grace | 2023 State TN (6’5 265) – Franklin-Grace
#PRZTN Ranking: 15th Ranked OL; 57th Overall
– This is a lineman that could jump up the OL rankings by the beginning of the Fall football season as Steih has become a hot commodity on the recruiting trail due to his long, lanky frame and upside to play left tackle on the next level. Steih is filled with all sorts of potential as he sports a nice looking frame along with long limbs that college coaches want in their linemen, especially tackles. He has great feet too along with bend and an agile lower base. Steih recently landed a big offer from Wake Forest which could now swing the door wide open for other bigger programs to come calling, so watch out for this guy going forward.
16. (OG) Joshua Wade Joshua Wade 6'3" | 300 lbs | OL Knox. Webb | 2023 State TN (6’4 300) – King’s Academy
#PRZTN Ranking: 16th Ranked OL; 67th Overall
– One of the top O-line prospects from the East Tennessee region is Wade and that’s due to his physical look and game play that has him squarely on the college radar. This Lions burly and broad O-lineman is a physical beast that can manhandle his opponents and open up large running lanes for his backs. Wade looks the part and fits very well on the inside at guard but if needed to, he could swing over to right tackle and perform very well. This is a heavy handled run blocker that will get better as he learns and develops at the next level. College interest is there for Wade but he could definitely increase that interest with a good summer camp season and an even better senior year.
17. (OT/G) Aidan Donald Aidan Donald 6'4" | 250 lbs | OL Lebanon | 2023 State TN (6’4 255) – Lebanon
#PRZTN Ranking: 17th Ranked OL; 75th Overall
– If you follow Donald on Twitter and you see that this guy has 15 plus college offers and then ask why he is ranked this low on the O-line rankings…well it’s because he has a ways to go, developing his body but the talent and tremendous upside is there. Donald has a lean frame at the moment but projects very well to the next level, especially at tackle where several schools are recruiting him at. He shows on the film the ability to handle the blindside for his quarterback due to his athletic nature, mobile lower body and long arms. If Donald puts together a strong camp season and a strong senior year, I could see him rising up these rankings and placing himself within the overall Top 50.
18. (OT/G) Misan Sisk Misan Sisk 6'6" | 290 lbs | OL MASE | 2023 State TN (6’6 290) – M.A.H.S.
#PRZTN Ranking: 18th Ranked OL; 84th Overall
– The greater Memphis area doesn’t have the depth of O-linemen this year like the rest of the state does but Sisk is one of the better ones in this area that has a shot to make it into the college game. A big dude with long arms and a wide radius, Sisk definitely looks the part of a college lineman already but does need to enhance his skill set before he gets there. This Lions O-lineman has the size and traits to stay outside at tackle but could certainly move into guard and perform very well. He already holds a few FCS offers at this point but could definitely add more and bigger interest this summer after coaches are able to see and work with this Memphis area big man in person.
19. (OG) Ethan Hatton Ethan Hatton 6'3" | 295 lbs | OL Lausanne | 2023 State TN (6’3 295) – Lausanne
#PRZTN Ranking: 19th Ranked OL; 94th Overall
– A mauler in the middle with athletic traits, Hatton is one of the better inside run blockers in this state and a guy poised for a big upcoming senior year. This Lynx interior brawler is already well suited for the next level when it comes to run blocking. He shows on film consistent game play and the ability to drive his man to the second level with ease. Once he gets his feet moving under him, Hatton is tough to unlatch from as he uses his powerful hands and body to drive his defender out of the play. The college interest and offers have yet to arrive for Hatton but I expect that to change over the next few months as this guy is definitely worthy.
20. (OT/G) Barrett Maddox Barrett Maddox 6'6" | 285 lbs | OL Clinton | 2023 State TN (6’6 285) – Clinton
#PRZTN Ranking: 20th Ranked OL; 96th Overall
– When you look into Maddox and you notice his size and length, you automatically think he is a legit college prospect and that is the truth but this East Tennessee product still has work to accomplish when it comes to his mobility and athleticism. What Maddox has been doing however over the last year and this offseason is develop those two traits in a big way, which in turn has led to him receiving several D1, FCS offers. This Dragons rising senior has the size and length to stay outside at tackle in college but could certainly move inside to guard and handle that position well. The further Maddox enhances his skill set, the better his recruitment will go.
21. (OT/G) Maxwell Hull Maxwell Hull 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL South Doyle | 2023 State TN (6’4 275) – South Doyle
#PRZTN Ranking: 21st Ranked OL; 114th Overall
– The Cherokees were one of the better rushing teams from the East Tennessee area last year and a big reason why was for the play of Hull up front. This multi talented O-lineman can play a variety of positions across the line on the next level but might be best suited to play inside at either guard or even center. Hull is a solid athlete that handles the tackle position for his team and he could develop further to stay there and that’s due to his lower body mobility and long arms. This guy is an underrated talent that I feel could develop into a multi year starter inside the college game.
22. (OT/G) Jamal Mooney Jamal Mooney 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Whitehaven | 2023 State TN (6’5 290) – Whitehaven
#PRZTN Ranking: 22nd Ranked OL; 141st Overall
– Looking over some of the top O-linemen from the greater Memphis area, Mooney is a guy that stands out due to his size, arm length and physical nature along with his upside for the next level. Many around the scouting scene may not know too much about Mooney at the moment but he sports several quality traits that translate to the college game. He has the size to play anywhere across the line and could even handle right tackle. Mooney’s upside may sit best inside at guard where he can use his strength, power and active lower body to drive back defenders in the run game. A big summer camp season will go a long way for Mooney and his chances at making it to the collegiate level.
23. (OG) Leo Gonzalez Leo Gonzalez 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL Lenoir City | 2023 State TN (6’4 300) – Lenoir City
#PRZTN Ranking: 23rd Ranked OL; 146th Overall
– Gonzalez could be one of the more underrated O-linemen in this state for the ‘23 class and maybe even one of the better guard prospects as well. The way this guy looks and how he plays, fits perfectly inside at guard as he enjoys physically mauling his opponents and tends to put guys on the ground on a consistent basis. Gonzalez is a good athlete too that moves well off the snap and uses his powerful hands to keep defenders at bay. He is better suited for run blocking right now but has the skill set to develop his pass blocking and become a very valuable piece for whoever’s offensive line he ends up playing with in college.
Just Outside the Top 150
Dane Woodard Dane Woodard 6'10" | 355 lbs | OL Smith Co. | 2023 State TN (6’10 345) – Smith Co.: 24th Ranked OL
– Woodard is the biggest O-lineman we have in this state for this class and he is not just big, the guy is well put together and can move too. This guy could see an in-flux of recruiting after he attends summer camps in a few months.
Jacob Woodward Jacob Woodward 6'3" | 270 lbs | OL Independence | 2023 State TN (6’3 265) – Independence: 25th Ranked OL
– Well balanced with a strong, agile lower base, Woodward is an under the radar talent that could play all three interior positions on the next level. A big senior year could lead to bigger college options for this guy.
Zach Davenport Zach Davenport 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL Chrst. Brothers | 2023 TN (6’5 285) – Chrst. Brothers: 26th Ranked OL
– Well built with a nice body for growth, Davenport is a versatile guy that could play tackle or guard in college. He sports active hands and a developing lower base that plays well in the college game.
Derrick Keith Derrick Keith 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL Riverdale | 2023 State TN (6’5 280) – Riverdale: 27th Ranked OL
– Keith is an intriguing talent with size, long arms and the ability to play tackle on the next level. He is coming off an injury but is healthy now, so Keith is expected to have a big breakout senior year this Fall.
Dayton Jernigan Dayton Jernigan 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL Warren Co. | 2023 State TN (6’5 275) – Warren Co.: 28th Ranked OL
– Much like Keith above, Jernigan is coming off an injury as well but has gotten healthy and is now ready to show off his talents this summer at college camps. Jernigan is an athletic guy that can play multiple positions across the O-line.