2026 Big Men in the Trenches to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive and defensive line are critical parts to a team's success. You might say the most underrated position groups in all of football. Here are 5 prospects from the class of 2026, to keep an eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806368"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Footu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e255 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eOffensive Lineu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernCedarius Miller out of Lafayette County brings quickness off the line of scrimmage. Demonstrates good footwork and the ability to get low and drive his man. His quickness allows to him achieve a reach block, help with a combo and move to the second level to create a running lane. Good solid foundation with a natural balance in pass protection, keeping the pocket clean. Someone to keep an eye on over the next few years!rnrnNote - 4.0 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659aca9b9666b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CedariusMiller/status/1741309146383671793","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CedariusMiller/status/1741309146383671793 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212207"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Foot-3u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e220 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDefensive Lineu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernDewitt High School defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='212207' first='Carson' last='Riggins'] plays with high quality effort and a good motor. Displays explosiveness off the ball, making it hard for the offensive line to stay in front. Knows how to use his arms and body to break out of blocks and make a play in the backfield. Excited to see what his future holds!rnrnNote - 3.5 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659aca9b96766"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16656649/631b70217bd3450a7435d27a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659aca9b96807"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["259606"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Foot-1u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e285 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eOffensive Lineu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernHeritage's [player_tooltip player_id='259606' first='Nicholas' last='Barry'] brings good football IQ to the center position. When he drives, he consistently keeps his feet moving till the whistle has been blown. Displays good leverage at the snap with correct hand placement and footwork. His football instincts will take him far and I'm ready for his recruiting trail to pick up.rnrnNote - 4.0 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659aca9b968d4"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/NickBarry2026/status/1673001298340323328","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NickBarry2026/status/1673001298340323328 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["552783"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Foot-5u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e300 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eOffensive Lineu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernKingston Jackson out of Conway High School brings strength, agility and length to the tackle position. Displays good reach, ceiling the edge for outside zone. His fire off the ball is impressive, letting him get to one man and then breaking off to the second level to develop a running lane. Has good and consistent pass set, staying low and using his strength to stay in front of his man. I expect his recruitment to take off starting in 2024.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659aca9b969b5"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/k1ngst0nj/status/1632200141678559232","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/k1ngst0nj/status/1632200141678559232 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401208"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Foot-4u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e300 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eOffensive Lineu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernBooneville guard [player_tooltip player_id='401208' first='Samuel' last='Hicks'] is someone to keep an eye on with his size and his ability to not let anyone through in pass protection. Displays a great ability in firing off the line of scrimmage, getting to the second level to open up a hole for the running back. Has good short-area quickness that makes him have an advantage against his opposition. I expect him to receive plenty of offers once his senior year rolls around.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659aca9b96a8d"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SamuelHicks_50/status/1731312574040297925","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SamuelHicks_50/status/1731312574040297925 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->