Fab 50 Breakdown: Offensive Line

When it comes to compiling the Fab 50 squad each year, one of the most difficult positional groups to tackle is the offensive line.   The most developed players with the highest skill set and biggest physical tools are almost unanimously playing the tackle position. As such, the highest-rated offensive linemen in our system (and just about anyone else's, if you look) are those edge-securing types.   But simply plugging in eight left tackles doesn't work for us - not while we're trying to put together a proverbial all-star team like this.   In 2024, the eight offensive linemen we picked collectively check every box.   Yes, we have natural tackles. But we also have a pair of centers and two others who could line up and play any of the five positions.   Let's take a look at all of them, working from the inside out.   [player_tooltip player_id='1278414' first='John' last='Hammond'] Spartanburg | We picked up on something during the preseason. Spartanburg had a center whom we should have recognized a heck of a lot earlier than we did. By that point, we also noticed the Vikings ran behind Hammond much like other schools have pulling guards pave a path. Tailback [player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch'] and others chased No. 66 wherever he was going for the first few yards and by that point were into the second level.    [player_tooltip player_id='1157979' first='Ryan' last='Love'] Irmo | The Yellow Jackets' offense was as dynamic as high school offenses can be. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] and receivers [player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1422528' first='Maleek' last='Miller'] put up astronomical  numbers. And while their abilities shouldn't be reduced, the fluidity at which this offense produced can be traced back to each snap. Love, working primarily in shotgun formations, had a quick trigger and reaction time the gave him the ability to then dominate his assignments.     [player_tooltip player_id='790770' first='Christian' last='Smith'] Lugoff-Elgin | When Smith showed up to the Carolinas Coaches Combines last spring, he wasn't so much of an unknown as it wasn't clear which position along the line he might play. His diversity kept folks guessing throughout 2024. While the Newberry signee spent half his time at the tackle positions, he took 40 percent of his snaps at center and another 10 or so at guard. Some of it was match-up based, while others were due to need. Either, way, when asked, he handled the assignment.    [player_tooltip player_id='346198' first='Bryce' last='Rainwater'] Hillcrest | One of Rams coach Bennett Swygert's practice week go-tos this year was moving Rainwater out of his normal tackle spot and putting him at guard and center. So while the Furman commitment took roughly 15 percent of his game snaps at those two spots, he was more often then leading into the next game. The reasoning was two-fold: First, Rainwater can do things on the interior that others can't; second, Swygert sees his departing senior as a long-term center. Like, really long term.     [player_tooltip player_id='1054250' first='Victor' last='Goree'] South Pointe | Goree brought a significant level of violence to the Stallions' line this year. The North Carolina Central commitment's reputation also started to precede him a bit, too. There were more than a handful of plays this year when Goree found himself in the open heading straight toward a defender and the opposing player clearly pulled up, not interested in what might follow. And if you start paying attention at the 17-second mark, you can see how South Pointe could use him in limited guard sets because he was mobile enough to pull.     [player_tooltip player_id='1157815' first='Kevin' last='Peay'] Lancaster | Peay is pure power in a complete package. He drives with his legs, knows how to use his core to create leverage and has no issue punishing would-be edge rushers with his hands and arms. The Georgia Tech commitment isn't all that removed from a steady diet of snaps at guard, and he's likely slated to return there once he gets to Atlanta. But as a senior at Lancaster, he was a dominating left tackle who proved himself to frequently be the best player on the field, regardless of position.    [player_tooltip player_id='797158' first='Shedrick' last='Sarratt'] Gaffney | Sarratt was a big name heading into the 2024 season. He'd blown up at the Blitz junior game last winter, won MVP honors at the Carolinas Coaches Combines and then committed to South Carolina in June. From there, he started a senior year in which he led the Indians to just shy of 5,000 total yards of offense and an appearance in the Class 5A, Division II Upper State final. His abilities made him a shoo-in for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.    [player_tooltip player_id='1165753' first='Tre' last='Aiken'] Clinton (pictured) | Aiken has one thing the rest of the players on this list don't, and that's one more year of high school eligibility. He's already got 10 NCAA Division-I offers and is probably in line for at least a couple more based off his performance in the Class 2A state finals alone. There, he was the catalyst for Clinton's 312 yards of rushing, as the Red Devils let the big right tackle open holes downfield. Aiken is really good pass blocker. He's downright excellent in the run scheme.

When it comes to compiling the Fab 50 squad each year, one of the most difficult positional groups to tackle is the offensive line.