PRZIA 2026 Rankings Update | OL Prospect Profiles (Top 10)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa has long been known as a state that produces high-end offensive linemen. It's also a position with a lot depth. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those trends held true when Prep Redzone Iowa updated its <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2026-rankings/">rankings for the 2026 Class</a> this week. The O-Line was well represented among a group of almost 200 student-athletes. That included the No. 1 overall prospect, Waterloo West tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1221926' first='Carson' last='Nielsen']. Five of the overall Top 15 were O-Linemen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at the Top 10 guys at the position:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1221926"],"_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":"Nielsen looks the part in stature and during his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17845024/6534952c344906095436a3fdu0022u003esophomore highlightsu003c/au003e. There's no doubt that size and strength play a big role in his success. That said, he's also athletic, moves fluidly and uses his hands well. His technique is sound. Maybe the best aspect of recruiting Nielsen is that as much as he dominates now, you can see there's a lot of room to go before he hits his ceiling. It should be fun to see how much he's developed since the end of last season when he takes the field in the fall. He already reports scholarship offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota State, Penn State and Wisconsin.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["401668"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"West Lyon owns a proud history of producing college prospects. Kock is among next ones in line. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound junior-to-be is a mauler on the interior of the Wildcats offensive line. As you can witness while watching his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17190051/6580776bbd74410ac49902bdu0022u003e10th-grade highlightsu003c/au003e, one of his best traits is moving quickly off of the snap and getting to his assignment. Sometimes that's driving through an opponent right in front of him. At other times it might be him reaching a linebacker or safety on the second level. He does a nice job with his hands in directing who he's blocking where he wants him to go. Kock has received summer camp invitations from Iowa, Iowa State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, South Dakota State and others. His recruitment could skyrocket after that.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1241376"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"McClish (6-3, 300) shares similar traits with the others on this list. He marries the requisite size with athleticism and mobility, making him a very intriguing prospect for the next level. Like Kock, McClish will dominate no matter where you place him on a high school offensive line but best projects on the interior in college at this point. His physicality, power and agility give him a high ceiling. As you can see while viewing his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16545697/653f39ecda5c260cc400eb24u0022u003esophomore filmu003c/au003e, McClish shows very little mercy to his opponents once engaged. He drives with his legs and plows through the defense. He can get to the second level smoothly and on time. It could be a big summer on the camp circuit for McClish.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1240558"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The 6-4, 250-pound Hine lined up at left tackle as a sophomore at Waukee. He held up very well against some of the state's top competition. Hine illustrates on his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17793196/655196d132dc840db40c776bu0022u003e10th-grade highlight videou003c/au003e that he's worked on his craft a lot already. You can see it in his footwork and how he benefits from good hand placement. He already matches up against older opponents from a strength standpoint with a frame that can add plenty of good weight. Hine, who also stands out in track field events and on the wrestling mat, has football camp invites from Nebraska, Northwestern and others.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["533048"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"In other years, Dieken-Keahey might find himself even higher on this list. That's mostly a function of how strong of an offensive line class is '26 and not his talent. Dieken-Keahey lined up at right tackle as a sophomore for Centennial. His u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17933487/656a6af2c124c70284d26272u0022u003esophomore highlightsu003c/au003e reveal a polished player for his age. Multiple clips show him not only carrying out his assignment but helping others out where he can. His pads are low whether he's run blocking or in pass protection. He could stick at tackle or kick inside, where he also would be effective.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1240421"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Heidt (6-5, 290) reports marks of 285 pounds on the bench press, a 405 squat, 565 deadlift and 225 clean. He's not your typical sophomore offensive lineman. He lined up at left tackle during his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19707546/656df49eff039f049c0950f8u0022u003e10th-grade filmu003c/au003e. He looked proficient in pass protection and in clearing the way on running plays. Heidt understands how he can benefit from certain angles and takes advantage of those opportunities with quick feet and a powerful punch.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1075432"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"King isn't one to lose many tests of strength. Opponents realize that pretty quickly when engaging with the formidable junior-to-be. As you can watch during his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19707546/656df49eff039f049c0950f8u0022u003e10th-grade highlightsu003c/au003e, King is more than just a road grader. While he thrives in paving the way for the rushing attack, he also offers the nimbleness to hold off rushers on passing plays. King played right tackle for East last season but a future at guard could be possible on the next level.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["1241416"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Baker is a fun player to scout as you can witness during his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17825986/6535b6f6c124290528d4047fu0022u003esophomore highlightsu003c/au003e. He is way advanced for a prep center playing in the state's biggest class. He fires off of his shotgun snap and gets on top of the opponent quickly. There's a lot of power with agility and solid footwork. Hempstead pulls him after the snap, utilizing his athleticism.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["1222857"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Galvan plays both ways at a smaller school and looks good on each side of the ball. Offensive line is his most likely position at the next level, but he has half of his prep career left. Galvan stands out for his burst when watching his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17960686/65b3da7b041ef00df8264369u0022u003esophomore highlightsu003c/au003e. His body type and power shine the most watching him at right offensive guard. He blocks on multiple levels, in tight or out in space.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["1242819"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"As best as I can tell, Gavin and I are not related. So, that's not why he's on this list. Howe is here because he can ball out. In viewing his u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18147921/65331c93e97b9b069c6c623du0022u003e10th-grade videou003c/au003e, we see agility and athleticism. Howe performs with good balance, giving him a strong foundation. Evaluating eight-player film can be tricky but it also tells us if an offensive lineman can play in space because he has to do so. Howe does it well.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6621899af4214"} /-->