My Current Top 60 2028 Offensive Linemen in Tennessee – March ’24
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Evaluating offensive and defensive linemen on the pre-high school level has become easier in recent years, but it is still difficult. Often times, the biggest kids are the best kids because they can win battles on size alone. However, when…
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Continue ReadingEvaluating offensive and defensive linemen on the pre-high school level has become easier in recent years, but it is still difficult. Often times, the biggest kids are the best kids because they can win battles on size alone. However, when you take all the biggest and all presumed best, who can really play? The offensive line standouts from the Tennessee 2028 class appears to have some really impressive players that should be getting early college sniffs based off size alone. From West Tennessee and The Home of the Blues, to Middle Tennessee and the Music City, to East Tennessee and the sounds of Neyland Stadium–there are future MLBs and OLBs all over The Volunteer State. Below is a look at 60+ road graders, currently in the eighth-grade, that look poised for big things on the high school level.
Tier 1: The Top
*Athletes listed alphabetically by last name*
I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face, I don’t enjoy putting a pecking order to athletes at this young age and I’m not a fan of rankings or star ratings. At this stage of physical and mental development, things can change within just a few months so this writeup has an obvious shelf life of just a few months. Nonetheless, when looking at these prospects, it’s clear to see that some are just really spectacular and advanced and are in Tier 1. These are the Alphas. Let’s take a look.
In the last few months, White House-Heritage big man
Ashton Coles
Ashton
Coles
6’4″ | 270 lbs | OL
White House-Heritage | 2028
TN
has graced the headlines of PrepRedZone Next nearly every other week. However, that is absolutely justified when you watch the 6-foot-4 and 270-pound eighth-grader on film. Also starting on the defensive line–and being unblockable there–he was an even more impressive kid on the offensive line. With a basketball background and really good feet/ankles for a kid this big, this young, it was on fitting he played center up front. In only makes sense to have a big kid who is used to having a ball in his hands, be the one responsible for getting the play started. With that said, there aren’t too many 2028 prospects at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds–let alone that play the center position. If you asked me three months ago, I would have said he’s a slam dunk (pun intended) to be bumped outside to play offensive tackle given his athleticism and feet. However, the more I think about the two-sport All-County selection and Robertson County Lineman of the Year, the more it makes sense to keep him as the linch pin of the big men up front.
Film: 8th Grade Film
Like
Ashton Coles
Ashton
Coles
6’4″ | 270 lbs | OL
White House-Heritage | 2028
TN
above,
Koehn Dial
Koehn
Dial
6’8″ | 295 lbs | OL
BGA | 2028
TN
has been grabbing headlines on PrepRedZone Next a lot recently. However, when it comes to Tennessee’s largest eighth-grade prospect, Dial’s been on the radar since spring of his sixth grade season, back in April 2022. At an absolutely staggering 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds, Dial has worked himself into one of the best offensive linemen in Tennessee. In an era of football (on all levels) where the headlines and stat sheets are dominated by the skill positions, Dial was the driving force for Avery Trace Middle School and was named the team’s Overall MVP, amongst several other awards. Behind Dial, quite literally, the Avery Trace Middle School Raiders finished 6-1 on the season and won the County title. After his stellar season he has a tremendous showing at the Prep Redzone Next Middle School Camp in Tennessee this past January, getting hand-timed at a. 5.1 in the forty, which is a great time for a pre-high school offensive lineman. Just to remind you again, he was the hand-timed 5.1 at 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds. That’s impressive, no matter how you slice it.
Film: 8th Grade Film
Highlights
For the sixth time since 2012, Oakland Middle School claimed the Rutherford County Middle School Athletic Association championship this past season. The Patriots had a number of talented prospects and they needed every one of them to defeat Blackman Middle School 8-6 in a double OT thriller for the conference title. One of those talented prospects for the Patriots was All-County offensive tackle,
Mike Ekezie
Mike
Ekezie
6’0″ | 245 lbs | OL
Oakland | 2028
TN
. Ekezie is listed at 6-foot and 245 pounds but plays significantly bigger than that. While I obviously haven’t seen it with my own eyes, he claims at 225-pound bench press, 300+ squad and 400+ deadlift. Watching him maul people it wouldn’t shock me if those numbers were accurate. Ekezie was arguably the top offensive lineman on a team that saw both is starting half back and fullback earn All-County honors–that doesn’t happen without the bigs up front.
Film: 8th Grade Film
I don’t care what level of non-professional football it is, any time an athlete gives up more than 2-3 years to their competition it’s tough to overcome. Especially at this age/level, there’s a stark difference between an 18-year old man getting ready for college versus a 14 year old getting their first taste of varsity ball. However,
Cheyenne Harris
Cheyenne
Harris
6’2″ | 265 lbs | OL
Stratford | 2028
TN
was up for the challenge this past fall, as an eighth-grader starting on varsity at Stratford High School. He’s a big kid who does a nice job of getting up to the second level and getting a hat on linebackers and sealing them off. For as big and young as he is, he has shown the ability to play under control and make some key blocks. Harris also plays AAU hoops, again showing how the footwork translates to the gridiron.
Film: 8th Grade Film
Highlights
Lipscomb Academy’s Middle School Team finished 6-1 on the season in 2023 and was highlighted by a number of really good-looking kids. Along the offensive and defensive lines, the strikingly obvious leader up front was
Caleb Langley
Caleb
Langley
6’2″ | 245 lbs | OL
Lipscomb Academy | 2028
TN
. Langley played this season at around 6-foot-2 and 230-pounds and led the Mustangs with over 55 registered pancake blocks from the center position. Since the season ended Langley has been consistently working the weight room and is now listed at 245 pounds–along with a 280-pound bench press, 365-pound squat and a 385-pound dead lift. In my opinion, Langley is the top pure center in the state right now and should see significant recruiting attention early.
Film: 8th Grade Film
Highlights
Another team that I have not been shy about singing the praises of in 2023-2024 has been Blackman Middle School. As mentioned above in
Mike Ekezie
Mike
Ekezie
6’0″ | 245 lbs | OL
Oakland | 2028
TN
‘s write up, Oakland and Blackman played one of the best middle school football games I’ve ever seen in Rutherford County Championship. Despite Blackman coming up short in the game, their team had a number of really impressive kids–kids like
Makhi Rodriguez
Makhi
Rodriguez
6’5″ | 300 lbs | OL
Blackman | 2028
TN
. While the skill guys on this team got most of the headlines (and deservedly so), it was hard to miss the ability of 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive tackle,
Makhi Rodriguez
Makhi
Rodriguez
6’5″ | 300 lbs | OL
Blackman | 2028
TN
. He was clearly the biggest kid on the field for the Flames and was dominant on both sides of the ball at times. As big as he is, there is some room for improvement in terms of quickness and agility–specifically against speed rushers. However, that should/will improve with hard work.
Tier 2: Challenging For The Top
*Athletes listed alphabetically by last name*
There is a ton of great sub-varsity talent in Tennessee at every position. Having spent a lot of time evaluating in this state, I can confidently say that there are kids are who listed as defensive linemen or middle linebackers, that will become better offensive linemen over the next four years. On the contrary, there are some offensive linemen on this list that will become better defensive linemen. With that said, not everybody can be listed in that top tier. The offensive linemen in Tier 2 are very close to reaching that top tier in the 2028 class and should be considered extremely talented kids. I fully expect the camp and 7v7 season to shuffle things around a great deal before August. Let’s take a look.
– Lakeland Prep’s
Linken Lohnes
Linken
Lohnes
5'10" | 205 lbs | OL
Lakeland Prep | 2028
TN
is entering the final months of a spectacular eighth-grade school year. Prior to his All-Conference selection on the basketball court, the multi-sport athlete was also All-Conference on the gridiron. A mean, athletic guard on offense and relentless defensive tackle on defense, he’s a good one.
– A second member of the Oakland Middle School offensive line group to be included in this writeup,
Miller Malugin
Miller
Malugin
6'0" | 220 lbs | OL
Oakland | 2028
TN
is an interior offensive lineman to know. At 6-foot and 220 pounds, notes and phrases like “mean”, “relentless” and “does whatever it takes to move the man” are in all my notes. While he wasn’t an All-County selection this year, he very well could have been.
– Crestview Middle School’s
Reid McMahan
Reid
McMahan
OL
Crestview | 2028
TN
was one of the better two-way linemen out in West Tennessee this year. McMahan comes with good size and natural strength and was the starter at left tackle in the West Tennessee Middle School All-Star Game this past November.
– The third and final Oakland Middle School offensive lineman in this writeup is
Marland Mixon
Marland
Mixon
6'0" | 245 lbs | OL
Oakland | 2028
TN
. Mixon lined up at right guard, in between
Miller Malugin
Miller
Malugin
6'0" | 220 lbs | OL
Oakland | 2028
TN
and All-County right tackle,
Mike Ekezie
Mike
Ekezie
6'0" | 245 lbs | OL
Oakland | 2028
TN
. Mixon was not an All-County selection this year but should have been based off the film I’ve seen. In fact, he was the first offensive lineman of the Oakland trio that caught my eye on film.
– Big
Owen Pack
Owen
Pack
6'1" | 215 lbs | OL
Gibson County | 2028
TN
out of Gibson County Middle School in West Tennessee impressed me with his 2023 season. While I don’t have an official size on him, I’d venture he’s in the 6-foot-2, 260-pound range based off my naked eye. In the West TN All-Star Game, Pack started at right tackle on offense and defensive tackle on defense.
–
Ayden Woodruff
Ayden
Woodruff
6'4" | 255 lbs | OL
BGA | 2028
TN
from Battle Ground Academy and his 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame is one that should have college football personnel departments drooling. He’s undeniably raw right now, but the kid works very hard and is absolutely massive. Long arms, long legs and boats for feet. He was was named one of BGA’s Lifters of the Week for his work this off-season. Buy stock in young man right now.
Tier 3: They Can All Ball, I Just Need To See More
*Athletes listed alphabetically by last name*
The offensive linemen in this tier are all significantly more talented than the majority of incoming freshmen in the state–please, do not get it twisted. Whether they play interior, offensive tackle or somewhere in the middle, they are all very talented and would be prospects I would “rank” if I were going that route. The monsters listed below aren’t necessarily doing something wrong, in some circumstances I simply need to see more of them to be able to establish where they fall. Bottomline – these kids can all go.
Dalton Black
Dalton
Black
5'11" | 195 lbs | OL
Northview | 2028
TN
| Northview
A high-motor, sneaky-athletic, two-way lineman that had a great eighth-grade year. Was one of four future Choctaws to be named to the West TN All-Star Game. Right now, one could argue he’s a better defensive end then anything else.
Tristan Durham
Tristan
Durham
6'3" | 250 lbs | OL
Pope John Paul II | 2028
TN
| Hawkins
Durham made the switch from left tackle to right guard this past season, and it resulted in an All-Sumner County selection. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Durham will be at Hendersonville High School in the fall and depending on how he grows, it wouldn’t shock me to see him move back to tackle.
Sawyer Hicks
Sawyer
Hicks
OL
T.W. Hunter | 2028
TN
| T.W. Hunter
Without a complete team effort, the T.W. Hunter Buccaneers don’t win back-to-back Sumner County championships. Hicks was one or key contributors up front for the Buccs, as the center was selected All-County this season.
Ragan Maraman
Ragan
Maraman
OL
Waverly Middle | 2028
TN
| Waverly
The future Lewis County Panther has the size and potential to turn into a prospect that can play at the next level if he puts in the work. He’ll be a big fish in a small pond at a high school with a total student population of just 446 kids, but the West TN All-Star has a shot.
Tanner Mills Tanner Mills OL Memphis University School | 2028 TN | Memphis University School
Mills is a multi-sport big man that shines in basketball and football. At MUS he looks good in the very little film I’ve gotten to see of him from this past season. Has the classic lineman build, a few inches north of 6-foot and approaching 250 pounds. Right now he looks like a future Tackle and I think there’s a lot to work with here.
John Matt Morgan
John
Matt Morgan
5'11" | 195 lbs | OL
Union City | 2028
TN
| Union City
I have a striking suspicion that Morgan could move up these tiers if there was more film or anything out there to be evaluated. He was the lone UC prospect picked for the West TN All-Star Game and more then held his own against the Game MVP during the drives he was in at center.
Hunter Winstead
Hunter
Winstead
OL
McKenzie | 2028
TN
| McKenzie
Personally, I always love finding those kids that are straight nasty on the field, despite not having “ideal” measurables. In the West TN All-Star Game, Winstead started on both sides of the ball and gave dudes fits the entire time. Any coach in America would want him because of his effort, alone.
Kayden Wood
Kayden
Wood
OL
Camden Middle | 2028
TN
| Camden
Wood is another bigger kid from the West TN All-Star Game that has a ton of potential. He started at Right Tackle and had some really good plays where he played mean and dominated–then on other plays, not so much. Becoming more consistent and athletic will only help.
Tier 4: The Watchlist
*Athletes listed alphabetically by last name*
The O-Linemen under this tier are prospects that have flashed some ability during their middle school careers and are highly talented. Some of the kids in this tier have received All-County, All-Conference and/or other post-season accolades for what they did during their eighth-grade season. Like some of the guys in Tier 3 – I may just need to see more of them; For others, there are some questions about size or long term position ceiling. Yet still, some of these guys will be on a different Tier when we update the Watchlist again, because I simply watched their film after I submitted this list.
Darius Bates Jr. | Havenview
Jace Bedwell
Jace
Bedwell
5'6" | 160 lbs | LB
TN
| Henderson County North
Cainan Bridges Cainan Bridges OL TN | Hillcrest
Kingston Canizales
Kingston
Canizales
6'0" | 300 lbs | OL
TN
| Grace Christian Academy
Zach Carr | Liberty Creek
Brady Chapman | Lipscomb Academy
Javier Chavez Javier Chavez OL TN | Hardin County
Zamari Davis
Zamari
Davis
6'2" | 270 lbs | OL
TN
| Haynes
Ittai Fry Ittai Fry DL TN | Crockett County
Crew Elrod | Baylor
Josh Garcia Josh Garcia DL TN | Dresden
Christian Goins | New Providence
Noah Greer | Bartlett
Kolton Gregory | Portland West
Heath Gulley | Satterfield
Drake Guy Drake Guy OL Lakeland Prep | 2028 TN | Lakeland Prep
Trenton Engle
Trenton
Engle
5'10" | 180 lbs | OL
Anderon County | 2028
TN
| Norris
Ashton Horton Ashton Horton OL TN | Hardin County
Brandon Hunt | Austin East
Blake Johnson Blake Johnson OL TN | Crockett County
Drake Long | Fayette Academy
Anthony Lujan | Portland West
Kaden Luffman | E.O. Coffman
Braxton Maiden | Portland East
Joey Marin Shipp | Jefferson
Adan Meyers | Alcoa
Asher Noe
Asher
Noe
6'0" | 210 lbs | OL
Lenoir City | 2028
TN
| North
Turner Petring Turner Petring OL Station Camp | 2028 TN | Station Camp
Austin Pritchard Austin Pritchard OL Decatur County Riverside | 2028 TN | Decatur County Riverside
Caiden Pyrdum | Webb
Andrew Seratt | Maryville
Sam Schwaiger | Maryville
Graham Shankle | University School of Jackson
Dequan Stewart Dequan Stewart 5'11" | 260 lbs | OL TN | Stewarts Creek
Bryson Taylor | Pope John Paul II
Matthew Terry Matthew Terry OL TN | Lake County
Luke Thompson | University School of Jackson
Marcus Walker | Bellevue
Jacoby Wilkes Jacoby Wilkes DL Milan | 2028 TN | Milan
Kohlby Williams | Moore County
Aden Wilson Aden Wilson OL TN | Trenton Rosenwald
Peter Wilson | Rossview