2027 Rankings Update: Strong OL Group Set To Dominate

Offensive line is typically a position dominated by older, stronger, more experienced players. It's simply the nature of a position where moving other large human beings where you want them to go is a prerequisite for success.   These 13 guys in the 2027 class are anything but typical. They're big and strong and move well, yes. But more than that, they're in situations that take advantage of their skill sets exceptionally well, and they've proven that they can not only play the position well, but that they possess a bunch of the intangibles that usually accompany age and experience.   To put it another way, they're the guys who seem like they're the most ahead of schedule in the class at OL. You'll be hearing about them for a long time. Might as well get started now.    BREAKING DOWN THE TOP FIVE   [player_tooltip player_id='1036776' first='Israel' last='Harris'] James Island   Harris is really, really good at the basics of OL play. He puts guys where he wants them, often violently. He keeps them there. He neutralizes them from the play. He does that on repeat. That's part of the reason he's our top-ranked OL in the class. Another part is his upside. He's already a force, and he looks like he's only scratching the surface of what he can do.   [player_tooltip player_id='756223' first='Nate' last='Carson'] Irmo   Does Carson bury people on blocks? Yes. Does he control his side of the line against the rush? Also yes. But probably the most impressive thing about Carson is his motor. When you play in front of a QB as athletic and versatile as the one Carson spent last year protecting, you have to be pretty nimble yourself. Whether it was on designed runs or on improvisation, Carson was rarely in a bad position and he never seemed to quit. He's another guy who will only continue to grow.   [player_tooltip player_id='691267' first='CJ' last='Brooks'] Gaffney   Brooks's first advantage is that he's just a massive human being, at 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds. His second is that the guys around him have allowed him to come into his own without being THE guy too early. He's had the security of playing beside two ranked guys his first two years, and while one has graduated another, [player_tooltip player_id='212409' first='Scottland' last='Dover'], will return this season. Brooks is plenty good, and he'll get better as he emerges into even more of a leader.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172352' first='Reed' last='Paolucci'] Blythewood   Paolucci does an excellent job at LT for the Bengals, protecting the blind side and generally making defenders' lives miserable. Blythewood threw it a lot more than they ran it a year ago, and that put certain demands on the OL, especially Paolucci. He responded well, and his experience and technique already outpace his age. With two years to get bigger and stronger, the sky's the limit.   [player_tooltip player_id='1223929' first='Markest' last='Davenport'] Calhoun County   Davenport's one of the biggest guys on this list, at 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds. He's a prototype left tackle - big, strong, and agile, and he plays with the same ferocity on offense that he plays with as a DT, which is a scary thing. He doesn't so much control the point of attack for the Saints' offense as he IS the point of attack - most of Calhoun County's success comes via the area where Davenport lines up (and eliminates a guy or two in front of him).    FOUR OL READY TO MOVE UP   [player_tooltip player_id='1426796' first='Marques' last='Skinner'] Riverside   Skinner is an anchor up front for Riverside, holding down right tackle and giving the Warriors a physical presence at the position. He wins a ton of one-on-one matchups with brute strength, and his technique is improving with increased experience.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172369' first='Wells' last='Lewis'] Cardinal Newman   Lewis is an absolute monster in the middle of the line for Cardinal Newman. At center, he's equally adept at run blocking and against the rush, and he creates space with an explosive first step and great footwork.   [player_tooltip player_id='1271255' first='Hayden' last='Crockett'] Hilton Head   If you want to find Crockett on film, just kind of look for the pile. He's usually there at the bottom, having buried the guy he was tasked with blocking. He's big, physical, and plays with the kind of nasty edge that OL coaches love.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422610' first='Jack' last='Armstrong'] Gray Collegiate   Armstrong is versatile enough to play a couple of positions, including center, but tackle seems like a natural fit. He's strong and quick, with good enough footwork to get to the second level with ease, which creates a bad night for LBs.    FOUR DARK HORSE OL TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='1271261' first='Brayden' last='Everette'] Mountain View Prep   Everette was a standout at Travelers Rest, and his transfer to Mountain View has a chance to boost his profile even more. He's physical, and he has a knack for finishing plays downfield, and in his senior season he'll be blocking for one of the best senior RBs in the state.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603768' first='Brody' last='Kesselring'] Midland Valley   The Mustangs want to run it about twice as much as they throw it, and that works out for physical OL like Kesselring. He helped pave the way for 3,700 yards of offense last year, and with a pair of dynamic underclassmen back in the backfield to block for, his stock could skyrocket.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603877' first='Max' last='Barnes'] Hillcrest   Barnes was a bright spot for Mauldin's offense as a freshman, playing well up front. He's transferred to Hillcrest as a sophomore, and he's a guy who benefitted from a change of scenery. He's already at 300 pounds, he's strong and moves well, and with Hillcrest's wealth of offensive talent, he can easily make the leap to "Who is THAT guy?".   [player_tooltip player_id='1153356' first='Ashton' last='Thompson'] AC Flora   The Falcons have an explosive offense with one of the state's top rising senior QBs, a punishing running game, and an 1,100-yard receiver returning. That will focus a lot of attention on the guys up front making it go. Thompson has quick feet, he's a good lead-blocker, and he plays well against the pass-rush.

Offensive line is typically a position dominated by older, stronger, more experienced players. It's simply the nature of a position where moving other large human beings where you want them to go is a prerequisite for success.