Top Team Position Groups: Offensive Line

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the opening kickoff of high school football action quickly approaches, it's time to look at some of the top team positions in the state of Tennessee. Today, we will be highlighting some of the best offensive line units that are worth keeping an eye on this upcoming season. Without any further ado, here's my list of the top offensive lines to watch for on the field in the 2023-24 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Baylor </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the top of my list of notable offensive lines in the state is Baylor High School as the Red Raiders' offensive line was especially organized and immovable on the field last season. What stood out most about Baylor's offensive linemen was their overall strength and ability to push back hard against the defense, buying their quarterback more time to get the ball out while also creating space for a strong run. I was additionally impressed with the Red Raiders due to how their linemen quickly got into position and began exerting their strength off the snap. Among some of the most impressive standouts on Baylor's offensive line are rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id='417869' first='Dominic' last='Clifford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='219445' first='Jimmy' last='Bryson'], who should not be slept on this upcoming fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Page</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming in at number two on my list is Page High School as the Patriots' offensive linemen showedcased an overwhelming display of strength as well as consistent athletic edge last season. What makes Page's offensive line so well-balanced and dangerous is how their linemen hit hard off the snap, their consistency in stunning and disrupting the defense and their ability to push them back behind the line of scrimmage. Some of the Patriots' top offensive linemen are senior [player_tooltip player_id='149171' first='Ronan' last='O'Connell'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='808035' first='A.J.' last='Johnson'], who are both preparing to return to the field to lock in offensively this upcoming fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Brentwood Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another highly explosive offensive line to keep an eye on this fall belongs to Brentwood Academy as the Eagles made an overwhelming impact offensively thanks in part to an outstanding display of aggression and physicality from their offensive linemen. In addition to being well coached, what stands out about Brentwood Academy's offensive line is their ability to exert their strength as a complete unit, stunning the defense while absorbing all the heavy defensive pressure. With standouts like [player_tooltip player_id='149181' first='Andrew' last='Pedersen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='305915' first='Graham' last='Gilmer'] returning to the field, Brentwood Academy's offensive line is looking to be dangerous next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Maryville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finishing in the number four spot on my list of high-level offensive line groups is Maryville High School as the Red Rebels consistently impressed with how their offensive line contained and pushed back against defensive pressure last season. One of the greatest strengths of Maryville's offensive line is how they collapse the defense and open up the field, utilizing their strength to knock the defense to the ground. The Red Rebels also impressed with how their linemen absorbed pressure and bought their quarterback time to make plays. With offensive linemen like [player_tooltip player_id='305914' first='Blake' last='Heckmann'] and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='466287' first='Alex' last='Boyd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='853127' first='Jacob' last='Prince'] returning to the fold this fall, Maryville's offensive line should not be slept on this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Lipscomb Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming in at number five on my list of notable teams is Lipscomb Academy as the Mustangs' offensive line was nearly unbreachable this past year. What stands out about the Mustangs was their overall organization, execution and footwork, using swift and sudden movement to stun defensive playmakers and disrupt the blitz. The Mustangs additionally showed off their ability to contain and absorb pressure, blasting the defense with their physicality and durable edge. With returners such as [player_tooltip player_id='258663' first='Jon' last='Adair'] and [player_tooltip player_id='219412' first='Chauncey' last='Gooden'], Lipscomb Academy should once again prove to be an efficient offensive line unit in the state to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three Other Offensive Lines to Watch:</strong> Germantown, Oakland, Whitehaven </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->