The Trenches: 5 Returning Players Rising in the Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we dive into one of the most important areas of the game, it's time to spotlight the players who <a href="https://prepredzone.com/minnesota/rankings/2025-rankings/?position=OL">shined in the trenches</a>. Without these players, there's no run game and zero pass protection for the quarterback. These five players have proven to be tremendous linemen on either side of the trenches and are poised to rise in the high school football rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With great strength, power and athleticism, these players are <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ihsaa/football/2023-24/leaders">dominating the line of scrimmage</a> and will look to build off of strong seasons. Let's dive into the players in the trenches who we will have our eyes on to get a boost in their high school football rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Trae Odagwe","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"290","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Osseo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Odagwe mainly played right tackle for Osseo but also kicked inside to guard. No matter where he lined up, he was dominant. The instant flash of athleticism, size, and power was on full display. At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, Odagwe is a tremendously gifted athlete capable of pulling to the opposite side of the line of scrimmage and climbing to the second level. The amount of pancake blocks on film is amazing, as he constantly uses his strength and size to overpower defenders. Odagwe is quick out of his stance, quickly getting into his pass set and is able to mirror defenders. He uses a strong hand technique and good footwork to control reps, opening up running lanes for his ball carrier and protection for his quarterback. Odagwe has become a favorite lineman of mine in the class of 2026.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b3b2e2c29d7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["445957"],"_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":"Pederson played defensive end, showcasing phenomenal strength with ideal size. He does a great job sealing the edge, preventing plays from bouncing outside to the boundary. He varies his rush moves, from using a power move inside to using his flexibility to bend around the edge. Pederson is strong enough to take on the biggest offensive linemen, stack blocks, and shed with powerful hands to make the tackle in the gap. He has an explosive get-off, quickly getting into his rush and causing conflict for offensive linemen. Pederson is quick to recognize counterplays, staying in position and adjusting to what the offense is trying to run. When he gets his hands on you, it's tough to get away from him as he uses his strength and good tackling technique to bring ball carriers down.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b3b2e2c28dd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["491822"],"_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":"Cline showed off an impressive motor and a ton of strength from the defensive tackle position. He eats up blocks, keeping his eyes in the backfield so he can get off blocks with proper timing and meet the ball carrier in the hole. If they run the ball away from him, Cline displays his speed and relentless motor to track down the runner and make the play. He's very explosive out of his stance, quickly getting the chest of the offensive lineman and controlling the rep. Cline plays with a ton of power, ripping past linemen and destroying plays before they get started. It's like getting run over by a truck when he hits you. There's so much strength to his game, making him a dominant player in the trenches as a run defender.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b3b2e2c2936"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1255125' first='Weston' last='Rowe']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"260","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Jackson County Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of Rowe's best attributes is his ability to pass protect and provide viable protection for his quarterback's blindside. His footwork and hand technique are particularly impressive, showing good repositioning with his hands and effectiveness in mirroring edge-rushing defenders. When he locks onto defenders, Rowe's hands and feet work simultaneously, allowing him to control defenders and dominate the down. He displayed the athleticism to work in space, showing he can pull and work to the next level. Rowe has good strength throughout his game, putting defenders on their backs and looking for the next defender to hit.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b3b2e2c2a63"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["615516"],"_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":"A physically gifted center, Youn possesses a ton of strength and athleticism that he brings to the offensive line. He pulled on running plays, getting out in space as a lead blocker and creating space for his ball carriers. Youn is quick out of his stance, getting his snap hand up and in a good position. His strength is on full display when he's pass blocking, as he quickly gets control of interior defenders and gets them out of their pass rush lane. Youn has a tremendous anchor that's tough to get out of, and he can reset his anchor if he has to. When he gets cruising downhill to the second level, he's like a freight train ready to run over anything in his path.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b3b2e2c2aaa"} /-->