Early Look At Some of Delaware's Top 8th Grade (2029) Linemen

To the common football fan, the state of Delaware doesn't exactly scream excitement when looking at football talent. However, if you peel back the layer a little bit more, you'll see that The First State is the actual home of several big time prospects–they just often ship out to the more well-known private schools in Maryland, New Jersey or Pennsylvania. The linemen in the class of 2029 below have proven to be some of the best in the state up to this point (August 2024). Here's a look.    However you want to slice it, the state of Delaware isn't exactly known as a football powerhouse. However, that's not to say there isn't abundant football talent there. However, that talent often ends up playing in a different state and that's the case with Drake James. James has spent the last few seasons--including this upcoming 2024 reclass season--playing with the Maryland Heat. His size is unquestioned at 6-foot-2 and 260-pounds and he also has a wrestling background. As far as pre-high school Offensive Linemen are concerned, he's about as versatile as they come. He has and can play anywhere on the OL but the interior seems to be where he's best suited.     A Defensive Line prospect that's in the early running for the top 2029 prospect in the state of Delaware. He initially caught my eye early in the 2023 season as a prospect who jumped off the screen while looking at film from a very talented New Castle Jags AYF team. A multi-sport athlete (basketball), he has great length and based off recent film looks like he's now adding on well-distributed weight. His 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame should be enough to have a lot of people interested in him early.     I don't have an exact height and weight on Marshall, but he's absolutely enormous for a prospect just starting his 8th grade year. Easily over 300 pounds (in my estimation) he's an absolute load on the interior Defensive Line. As one can imagine, his mobility and quickness are limited at this point due to his size. That said, with his mass and raw power he commands at least a double team on every play.     One of Delaware's more athletic big men I've seen early in this 2024-2025 season/cycle. Started at Right Guard in the All-Delaware Bowl this past June and it didn't take long for him to impress me on film. On the second play of the Bowl game, with the ball nearly on the far hash, he drove his man across the field to the opposite numbers--which helped spring a touchdown run. On top of ability, his long arms and a frame that carries his weight well, make him him one to keep an eye on.     After watching the film several times, I liked what I saw out of Millman a little bit more each time I watched the tape. Reportedly at 6-foot-2 and 300-pounds (as of August 2024), he has Offensive Tackle size but is nimble enough to play Offensive Guard. Does a good job of opening the gate and coming flat down the line while pulling up into the hole and becoming a lead blocker. Also displayed the strength and power to execute drive blocks on interior down linemen.     Hickson is a shorter, stout and thick Offensive Guard that did a pretty good job at the All-Delaware Bowl in June 2024. A wide body and the starter at Left Guard, he's an ideal run blocker in a big-on-big, zone blocking, power run-first offense. To maximize his ability long term, he'll need to get in significantly better shape and improve his mobility. There was noticeable difficulty for him climbing the ladder and picking up blocks on the second and third levels.     There's some good potential in what Cohen brings to the field in terms of his physical stature and ability. He was one of better-looking linemen at the All-Delaware Bowl in terms of weight distribution, length and frame. There's some technique issues with his kick slides, but he got back quick enough to hold up speed rushers. In the bowl game his team put the beef at the Guard position(s) and went with more agility at the Offensive Tackle position(s), which best-suited Cohen's skill set at this point.     Often overlooked, quite literally nothing can happen without a reliable and competent Center that can snap the ball. In the All-Delaware Bowl Bradshaw kept the ball and his Quaterback clean. Executing out of the Shotgun formation, he constituently delivered accurate shotgun snaps and delivered the ball sternum-high on nearly every play. Obviously size and all of that needs to kick in as he advances through football, but he has a skill set.

To the common football fan, the state of Delaware doesn't exactly scream excitement when looking at football talent. However, if you peel back the layer a little bit more, you'll see that The First State is the actual home of several big time prospects–they just often ship out to the more well-known private schools in Maryland, New Jersey or Pennsylvania. The linemen in the class of 2029 below have proven to be some of the best in the state up to this point (August 2024). Here's a look.