The Offensive Linemen are well represented for the class of 2026
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Not a surprise for this scout’s point of view but the offensive lineman dominated our Virginia Class of 2026 rankings. Placing 9 linemen in our top 100 including the top two in the state it is safe to say that…
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Continue ReadingNot a surprise for this scout’s point of view but the offensive lineman dominated our Virginia Class of 2026 rankings. Placing 9 linemen in our top 100 including the top two in the state it is safe to say that the Commonwealth is set for studs up front for years to come.
Coming in as our number 1 overall recruit for the class of 2026 is St. Christopher’s Darius Gray. For those that don’t know Gray is a force both at offensive and defensive tackle for the Saints, nabbing Freshman All-American honors in 2022. The Saints offense starts behind Gray as he is a excellent run and pass blocker and his footwork are some of the best work I have ever seen not just for his age. Only entering his sophomore campaign the young man has already picked up offers from nearly 20 schools and counting! When I say offers mean the power 5 schools such as Michigan, Alabama, Georgia and Miami have come calling just to name a few. The sky is the limit for Gray, I think personally he is a young Fletcher Cox at defensive tackle but many schools seem to prefer him as an offensive tackle. I have no issue with that, you just cant help but see a young Fletcher each time he flies off the ball defensively.
Highlights
The number 2 ranked lineman Thomas Wilder Thomas Wilder 6’7″ | 285 lbs | OL Green Run | 2026 State VA also came in at number 2 for our overall 2026 rankings, as I said the lineman made their presence. Green Run’s mammoth offensive tackle was very close to the number 1 ranking, but nevertheless the young man is a beast. Standing at 6’7 and nearly 320 lbs. Wilder is a mean aggressive lineman who loves to finish his pancake style blocks on each snap. If you watch his tape you know the dude can move for a big man he never quits on a play you can see on many big plays Wilder chasing down defenders 30 yards down the field. The potential for him to be playing at a power 5 school in a few years is already their as Auburn, Penn State and Virginia Tech have already offered. His fluid hip movement, footwork and hand placement are textbook, expect to hear from the Stallions and Wilder come playoff time this fall.
Number 3 and number 12 overall is another very big prospect in Brady Sakowitz Brady Sakowitz 6’7″ | 285 lbs | OL Trinity Episcopal School | 2026 State VA . Like Wilder, this rising sophomore stands at 6’7 with a ton a potential to be a FBS level tackle. Sakowitz is a stout run blocker and is great at getting to the second level downfield on each running play. Sakowitz pass blocking is coming along as well as he continues to progress for the Trinity Episcopal School. Most recently he has already picked up offers from Marshall and Virginia Tech, with another season under his belt, I would anticipate nearly 10 FBS offers.
We profiled Crawford’s school back in April and he was already standing out on nearly every pass play I watched. A very powerful run blocker, Crawford really exceeds in his pass blocking the Saint Michael’s high potent offense. Unless you get inside of his hands, he rarely errors on a pass play. Standing at 6’3 and a little over 3oo lbs. no reason not to believe he wont have a slew of FBS offers before his junior campaign begins.
The number 5 lineman (51st overall) is North Cross Nathan Hayes Nathan Hayes 6’2″ | 260 lbs | OL North Cross | 2026 State VA . A mean angry bull who has potential at guard and defensive tackle that should have the Raiders excited to watch him the next three seasons. Hayes is a road grader at right guard and really shines in his run blocking ability. On the defensive line his ability to read and react and maintain his shoulder pads are just as impressive. Like Darius Gray, I may prefer Hayes upside at defensive tackle more, but either way the North Cross Raiders have a star on their hands.