2024 Look Ahead: 10 More Offensive Linemen To Watch (Part 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How important is the offensive line? In Round 1 of the just completed NFL Draft, NINE O-Linemen were chosen. Yet, the O-Line remains &nbsp;arguably the most underappreciated position in football, largely because they never have the ball in their hands. In Part 3 of a series, here are 10 More Offensive Linemen To Watch In New Mexico for 2024:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266485' first='Landon' last='Casalino'], Manzano</strong>: The Monarchs could potentially be pretty good in the trenches and Casalino, a rising junior, is a key reason why. He's 6-foot-5, 258 pounds and will likely start at left tackle for Manzano.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nicolas Dodge, Kirtland Central</strong>: Listed at 6-foot-4, 296 pounds, Dodge is a mountain of a man. But he can move his feet and overpower rushing defensive linemen with his hands and strength. Earned Honorable Mention All-State honors in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615393' first='Riley' last='Mendez'], Las Cruces</strong>: Mendez earned Second-Team All-State honors as a junior in 2023. He's expected to start at guard again for the Bulldawgs, and will be one of four returning starters for a potentially explosive Las Cruces offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248719' first='Chase' last='Nelson'], St. Pius X</strong>: The 6-foot-0, 260-pound Nelson was impressive at the Prep Redzone Combine at Grants High School two weeks ago, especially considering he's still a freshman at St. Pius X. He'll anchor the Sartans' O-Line in 2024, and probably for the next two seasons after that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1258935' first='Thomas' last='Rivera'], Volcano Vista</strong>: The Hawks have a tradition of producing solid offensive line prospects ([player_tooltip player_id='590180' first='Zachary' last='Markham'] signed with CSU-Pueblo in February) and the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Rivera could be the next one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118899' first='Abraham' last='Santana'], Bloomfield</strong>: Santana earned First-Team All-State honors for the Bobcats in 2023. He'll be one of the best offensive linemen in the Four Corners this season. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118365' first='Vicente' last='Shiflett'], Belen</strong>: The 6-foot-1, 275-pound Shiflett was a Second Team All-State OL for the Eagles last season. He plays left tackle for Belen and should draw college interest this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851890' first='Taye' last='Silversmith'], Miyamura</strong>: Silversmith was the most impressive offensive lineman at the recent Prep Redzone Combine in Grants, earning MVP honors. He's a rising junior but with a 6-foot-1, 245-pound frame. He plays both sides of the ball for the Patriots but his calling card at the next level could be the O-Line. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ron Thomas, Rio Rancho</strong>: Again, the Rio Rancho O-Line is going to be deep, talented and experienced this fall with Thomas at guard. He earned Second-Team, All-State honors in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118903' first='Matais' last='Zah-Pena'], Aztec</strong>: Zah-Pena's size (6-foot-3, 265 pounds) is impressive along with his skill. He earned Honorable Mention All-State honors in 2023 for an Aztec team that finished 7-5 overall and reached the quarterfinals of the Class 4A playoffs. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/L57578Landon/status/1767746730508841460","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/L57578Landon/status/1767746730508841460 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/VShiflett9294/status/1778534015462728002","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/VShiflett9294/status/1778534015462728002 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/thttfootballkid/status/1617957356784226304","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/thttfootballkid/status/1617957356784226304 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TayeSilversmith/status/1779588102786330702","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/TayeSilversmith/status/1779588102786330702 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->