The CMS Best - Offensive Linemen

The CMS Best series highlights the best players in the 20 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Schools in Charlotte. In this edition, we will be looking at the best Offensive Linemen in this group – a group that can anchor an offense and control a game.   [player_tooltip player_id='314163' first='Eagan' last='Boyer'] - Hough   Committed to Penn State, this 6'8 and 265-pound Class of 2024 prospect literally grew up right before my eyes. I saw him up close at a postseason camp two years ago, and he has made himself into a big-time recruit with hard work and training. His physical stature is something he uses very well - his long arms and wingspan help keep pass rushers at bay, and his athletic footwork makes him a prototypical pass-blocking left tackle. As he adds weight at the next level, the sky is the limit for Eagan.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/EB-PR.jpg?w=817" alt="" class="wp-image-616378" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='335913' first='Umar' last='Rockhead'] - Mallard Creek   Committed to Charlotte, this 6'5 and 265 pound Class of 2024 prospect is another player I've seen develop and grow into a strong college prospect. Umar was a player that always had excellent athleticism for his size, great feet, and very good technique. As he continues to add weight, I think left tackle is his natural position, and he will have the chance I think to play sooner than later at Charlotte. I commend him for staying home very close to his high school - the Charlotte program has to be ecstatic to get a player who I think his best football is ahead of him and could play at bigger programs if he wanted to.   [player_tooltip player_id='1220149' first='Gabriel' last='Heard-Hernandez'] - Butler   Standing at 6'4 and 295 pounds, this Class of 2025 prospect currently holds an offer from Virginia Tech, and honestly should have even more attention coming his way. I saw him up close this spring at the HBCU Carolinas Showcase by Charlotte Football Insiders, and he walked away with the MVP award amongst a talented group of players. He is very stout and does not give ground in pass protection. He keeps his hands inside the frame well and moves his feet well to mirror the defensive lineman's pass rush. He probably projects as an interior OL prospect right now, but he still has time to work on his versatility to play either tackle or guard on the next level.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/GH-PR.jpg?w=806" alt="" class="wp-image-951884" /></figure>   Jeremiah Blaylock - Chambers   The first thing you think about with Jeremiah is just pure power and strength. At 6'2 and 340 pounds, he is an interior OL prospect in the Class of 2024. He holds an offer from Charlotte, and definitely should have more recruiting attention and offers for programs that want a big, road grader, straight-ahead power run blocker. When he gets his hands on you, he will put you in the ground and it's over quickly. He can stonewall power-rushing interior defensive linemen in pass protection, and he will be someone Chambers will run behind when they need a big short yardage pickup on 3rd and 4th downs especially.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/JB-PR.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-951885" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='398229' first='Jack' last='Ludwick'] - Ardrey Kell   You talk an impressive young man off and on the field, Jack is it. At 6'3 and 275 pounds, he is a center prospect in the Class of 2024. Per his Twitter profile, he sports a 4.6 GPA and is also his Class President - that's awesome. But he is also a pretty good football player as well. He can snap and step very well against shaded techniques and has good hand placement in both the run and pass game. I like seeing him on film work on double-team blocks and work to the 2nd level of the defense as well.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/JL-PR-3.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-951886" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='377192' first='Cash' last='Topinka'] - Providence   Cash was part of an offensive line that last season helped pave the way for former Providence running back Luke Bailey set the state record for rushing touchdowns in a game, and at 6'2 and 295 pounds, he will remain a physical presence this year. However, he is one of the few returning players up front, so he is assuming a leadership role, and I thought he spoke very well about that at his conference's Media Day. He is also very physical in pass protection, which he showed recently in an impressive clip on his Twitter profile. He currently holds offers from Limestone, Lincoln, and Lenoir-Rhyne universities. He is a Class of 2024 prospect.   Khamari Lawson - Palisades   Khamari has developed very well over the last two years into one of the best linemen in the Charlotte Metro Area. Standing at 6'4 and 270 pounds, he could play on the interior or at the tackle spot on the next level. He's very strong and uses his hands well, especially in pass protection. I like how he has developed a bit of a nasty streak and embraced taking on a leadership role at a new program in Palisades. He is a Class of 2024 prospect and currently holds offers from a few different schools including Catawba, Limestone, Alabama A&M.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/KL-PR.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-951891" /></figure>

The CMS Best series highlights the best players in the 20 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Schools in Charlotte. In this edition, we will be looking at the best Offensive Linemen in this group – a group that can anchor an offense and control a game.