2026: Tenacious Offensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To be an elite offensive lineman, you must possess good strength and execute at a high level. These six players can do both of these things and so many more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284197' first='Miller' last='Carter'] || OL || 6'3 || 235 || East High School || 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carter is the future of the Leopard's offensive line up front. He has excellent size and strength that allows him to dominate the competition. Carter is physical at the point of attack and loves to dish out pancakes. He impresses with good footwork and technique. Carter plays with a good anchor and doesn't let defensive linemen push him back. He does an excellent job of reach blocking and can turn even the biggest defensive lineman back inside to create rushing lanes. Carter explodes off the snap with a physical punch to disorient defensive lineman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='717886' first='Cade' last='Johnson'] || OL || 6'2 || 220 || Springville High School || 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson gives it his all each and every snap. He may play both ways, but that doesn't diminish his physicality each snap. Johnson excels at blocking down, where he obliterates unsuspecting defensive linemen. He fires off the ball low and maintains leverage for the duration of most plays. Johnson doesn't stop his feet before the whistle, which leads to many defensive linemen ending up on their backs. In addition, he does a great job working up to the second level, where he comes off at just the right time to collect linebackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720483' first='Gaven' last='Ratliff'] || OL || 5'10 || 220 || Riverton High School || 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ratliff plays with outstanding technique that allows him to decimate defensive linemen in one-on-one matchups. He has a great pass set off the snap that enables him to cut off defenders with his feet. If pass rushers try to beat him to the outside, Ratliff uses his hands to prevent them from getting around the edge. If they cross his face and try to go inside, he excels at washing them down or passing them off to his teammates if it's a twist. Ratliff does a great job recognizing when a defensive lineman is off balance and will take them to the ground to ensure the pocket is kept clean.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='718008' first='Easton' last='Hammond'] || OL || 6'3 || 245 || Ridgeline High School || 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hammond is violent off the snap in the best way possible. He does a great job keeping his hands inside and uses the leverage to move defensive linemen from point A to point B. Hammond is an exceptional athlete who loves to get out in space and smash smaller defensive backs. He does a good job selling his pass sets on screens and then takes good angles in order to clear space for his teammates. In addition, Hammond does an excellent job of reach blocking and can turn defensive linemen back inside to spring big runs. He also delivers a strong punch in his pass sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='718011' first='Tavin' last='Hopoate'] || OL || 6'1 || 220 || Juab High School || 2026&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopoate possesses exceptional leg drive that helps him push defensive linemen back no matter how physically imposing they may be. He plays with excellent pad level and gets leverage play after play. Hopoate is exceptional out in space, where he does a great job locating and taking out defenders. As a puller, he does a good job kicking out defensive ends to widen holes. In pass protection, Hopoate excels at picking up blitzers. He has great footwork and uses his arms to keep defensive linemen at bay.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='718014' first='Marshall' last='Huber'] || OL || 6'5 || 270 || Brighton High School || 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huber was outstanding at the right tackle spot for the Bengals in 2022. He's one of the class's strongest players and loves nothing more than to level defensive linemen. Huber's footwork is impeccable, and it helped him reach the second level where he flattens linebackers. His wingspan is impressive, and it allows him to keep defensive linemen off of him and not allow them to get to the quarterback. Huber doesn't skip leg day, as evident based on his ability to push back defensive linemen, and he doesn't stop before the plays are blown dead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->