2025 Rankings Update: O-Linemen Offer Big Protection

Seeing as how the offensive line has long been an "all guts, no glory" type of position, it might be easy to overlook a somewhat new trend among high school linemen. Many of them these days are really big. We're talking college and pro levels of "big."   That's the case for quite a few in our class of 2025 rankings. Eight of the top 10 are anywhere from 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-5 inches tall, while nine of the top 10 weigh anywhere from 270 to 350 pounds. Those sizes are comparable to top ranked NFL linemen such as Trent Williams (6-foot-5, 320 pounds) and Zack Martin (6-foot-3, 315 pounds).   These players have a lot more going for them that just size though. They've earned their ranking by being exceptional athletes. Here's a look at some of the top seniors entering the 2024 season.    TOP FIVE BREAKDOWN   [player_tooltip player_id='346200' first='Rocky' last='Herd'] Daniel   Mr. Football finalist Watson Young wasn't the only very talented offensive lineman for Daniel last season. This season, Herd is the senior leader up front for the Lions. He's looking to come back from a torn labrum and cap his high school career with another state championship, albeit a different one. The Lions, who went 51-1 with three state titles over the past four seasons in Class 3A, move up to Class 4A this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='272706' first='Garris' last='Chambers'] Silver Bluff   Chambers has seen playing time on the varsity team since his freshman season at Silver Bluff and has played center, guard and tackle over the years. His primary spot last season was center, where he piled up more than 20 pancake blocks and didn't allow a sack.   [player_tooltip player_id='797158' first='Shedrick' last='Sarratt'] Gaffney   Just how athletic is Sarratt, who's committed to continue his football career at South Carolina? The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Sarratt averaged 6.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Indians' basketball team last season. On the gridiron, this will be his third season as the the blind side protector for Gaffney quarterbacks at tackle.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157815' first='Kevin' last='Peay'] Lancaster   Film of Peay (pictured) shows a wide range of athleticism he brings to the offensive line. Peay, who's played tackle and guard, has shown terrific agility in moving quickly from one side of the line to the other in blocking schemes. Of course, the 6-foot-4, 290-pound senior can also punish defenders straight on as well. Peay committed to Georgia Tech in June.   [player_tooltip player_id='762756' first='Kendall' last='Walton'] Lamar   As Division I offers continue to roll in for Walton this summer, he heads into the fall with something he's never had before at Lamar - the same coaching staff. Stephen Burris is back for his second season as head coach after becoming the Silver Foxes' third coach in three years going into last season. Despite the turnovers in staff, Lamar has been remarkably consistent going 9-4 and unbeaten in region play each of the last three seasons. Leaders like Walton have been a big part of that as he's earned All-State honors each of the last two years. Last week, Walton was offered by East Carolina giving him five Division I offers.    TEN RISING STARS   [player_tooltip player_id='1360115' first='Sawyer' last='Averitt'] North Myrtle Beach   Averitt appears in our rankings after an offseason in which he's increased his weight and strength. His 6-foot-5 frame makes for an impressive wingspan for Chiefs' right tackle.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360096' first='Robert' last='Stevens'] Greenwood   Perhaps no other lineman on the list could be rising as much as Stevens as he's back at center after missing virtually all of his junior season due to injury. He moves into our rankings after a strong showing at the Carolina Coaches Combine in April.   [player_tooltip player_id='1316824' first='Frank' last='Schmidt'] Porter-Gaud   Schmidt is set for his fourth year as a starter on Porter-Gaud's offensive line. While 220 pounds may be a little lean for an offensive tackle, Schmidt is plenty tough enough to make it. After missing the only game of his career last season, he played with a torn labrum the rest of the way.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360010' first='Joseph' last='Allende'] River Bluff   Allende is set to begin his fourth season as a varsity starter. The 350-pound right guard, who was offered by Charleston Southern this summer, has allowed just one sack in his career.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360001' first='Khasean' last='Saldano'] Branchville   Don't let Saldano's 6-foot, 360-pound frame fool you. While he's a top run stuffer in the middle of Branchville's defensive front and a great straight ahead blocker on offense, he's also agile enough to block his man on the edge of a sweep - often with punishing results.   [player_tooltip player_id='1359209' first='Jackson' last='Njoku'] Fountain Inn   Njoku jumped onto our ranking with a highlight reel that jumps out at you. One part of those highlights specifically are what we'd call crispy pancakes, in which Njoku doesn't get up off a flattened defender until the whistle blows.   [player_tooltip player_id='1359180' first='Hunter' last='Drawdy'] Berkeley   Drawdy transitioned from defense to offense last season and will be a key senior leader as starting tackle (after starting at center last year) and long snapper on a young Berkeley team. An excellent all-around athlete, Drawdy is also a member of the Stags' wrestling and track and field teams.   [player_tooltip player_id='1359145' first='Kameron' last='Wallace'] Woodmont   Wallace has shown the ability to pass block and run block at a high level no matter where he lines up. He's played both guard spots and both tackles for Woodmont. Wallace has committed to Wofford.   [player_tooltip player_id='1359130' first='Jordan' last='Sullivan'] JL Mann   One year after averaging 39.1 points per game, JL Mann's offense should be explosive again this fall and Sullivan helps light that fuse. The Patriots have a lot of speed on offense and that includes Sullivan, as he's adept at blocking well down field. Sullivan has committed to play for Army.   [player_tooltip player_id='1359112' first='Hunter' last='Taylor'] Greenville   Taylor went from unranked to No. 57 among seniors at all positions in our 2025 ranking after committing to Furman this summer. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound tackle will be joined there by fellow offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='346198' first='Bryce' last='Rainwater'] of Hillcrest, who's ranked No. 64 overall for 2025. Taylor also excels in the classroom with a 4.8 GPA.    FIVE DARK HORSE CANDIDATES   [player_tooltip player_id='1360170' first='David' last='Blanchard'] Orangeburg-Wilkinson   While Orangeburg-Wilkinson hasn't enjoyed much on-field success, it's not stopped Blanchard's efforts from being recognized. The Bruins' starting center, whose also played tackle, has earned first team All-Region honors each of the past two season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360168' first='Brandon' last='Martin'] Blythewood   Listed at 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds, Martin is one of our more undersized ranked linemen. However, he certainly doesn't look like it on film as the anchor of Blythewood's offensive line at center. He's getting attention from colleges for his proficiency at long snapper.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360152' first='Keith' last='Jowers'] Keenan   Entering his third season on Keenan's varsity team, Jowers has played all over the offensive line. He primarily played both guard spots last season. Jowers is also a member of the Raiders' track and field team, where he throws the shot put and discus.   [player_tooltip player_id='1277930' first='Grayson' last='Sykes'] Fort Mill   Sykes has produced at the tackle position on both sides of the ball for Fort Mill. He has the duty of blind side protection of the Yellow Jackets' quarterbacks as left tackle on offense. Sykes has also helped Fort Mill's wrestling team win Class 5A state titles each of the last two years.   [player_tooltip player_id='1278414' first='John' last='Hammond'] Spartanburg   Hammond's film show an ability to quickly move around from his center spot and forcefully hit the nearest player who's wearing a different colored jersey from his. Given his family history, Hammond seems destined to continue playing football beyond his final season at Spartanburg. His father Vance was an All-American defensive lineman at Clemson, while his uncle played for Newberry and his grandfather played at Wingate.

Seeing as how the offensive line has long been an "all guts, no glory" type of position, it might be easy to overlook a somewhat new trend among high school linemen. Many of them these days are really big. We're talking college and pro levels of "big."