Deep Diving Our Top Ten ’26 Offensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line position in the state of Michigan is as loaded as ever. Below are the top 10 big men in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["568194"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eee0c44bfec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='568194' first='Gregory' last='Patrick'] has become one of the might highly sought after prospects in the 2026 class. He just recently announced he is down to Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State and Notre Dame and has plenty of visits coming up. But what makes him so special? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First, Patrick is a big frame with room to pack on plenty of more size. He's still extremely mobile and aggressive with a strong punch and quick first step. He's an MSU legacy kid whose dad played at Michigan state, so he has the pedigree to be great. He has continued to develop extremely well at Portage Northern and has turned himself into a blue-chipper. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["557747"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eee0c44c051"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Canty is one of the most polished offensive linemen I have ever seen in high school football. He's an incredibly well-rounded lineman who is coached by the best and plays some of the highest level of competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's big, he's physical and extremely competitive. Coaches talk incredibly highly of the way he works, and it's embodied by the fact that Canty is at camps and showcases all over the place. He's a workhorse who is constantly working to improve. 2026 will be a massive one for him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212356"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eee0c44c09b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='212356' first='Ben' last='Nichols'] is an extremely impressive kid who will fit right in at Notre Dame, a place known for developing offensive linemen. The Fighting Irish will be getting a kid with all of the physical tools to be successful. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nichols has good footwork, great physicality and a clear understanding of how to leverage his size and skill against edge rushers. In the run game, Nichols is a bulldozer and has no issues getting out to the second level. Watching him in Davison's playoff game against Oxford, it was clear that Nichols was the best player on the field. A true man amongst boys out there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1246804"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eee0c44c0e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Our other Notre Dame commitment, [player_tooltip player_id='1246804' first='Sullivan' last='Garvin'] has been near the top of this class for a few years now. He showed up and showed out at our Prep Redzone Showcase a couple of years ago and left with OL MVP. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming from a small school, Garvin is a classic case of modern recruiting and the fact that if you get to camps and keep your Hudl up to date, they will come. Garvin is a big and physical kid with tremendous skill. He trains with some of the other great linemen in the state and has improved steadily over the years, displaying his coachability and work ethic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1080316"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eee0c44c126"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It feels like in this superb offensive line class, Owen gets unfairly overlooked. Winder possesses a ton of Power-4 offers and has had a stellar career so far, likely culminating in his best season yet this fall. At his size and skill, he's going to make someone extremely happy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winder is another well rounded lineman who can pass block with smooth sets and strong hands, or be an absolute grinder in the run game, physically dominating his assignment. The moment he gets into a college facility and gets on their regimen, it will likely open a whole new door for his development. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1148696"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eee0c44c169"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1148696' first='Travis' last='Robertson'] is probably one of the most physically imposing linemen we have in the class. A big man with all the strength in the world, Robertson regularly disposes of defenders quick and is able to impact multiple defenders on one play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robertson also plays some very stout competition and is able to sharpen his skill against some of the best defensive linemen the state of Michigan has to offer. With a number of Power-4 schools after his services, Robertson will have his pick on where to play his college ball. Until then, he'll still be one of-if not the best offensive lineman in the OAA. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212357"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eee0c44c1ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After getting to scout [player_tooltip player_id='212357' first='Benjamin' last='Eziuka'] in person this past season, I absolutely see what the hype is about. A versatile interior lineman, Eziuka is able to execute a variety of blocks at an extremely high level. He's also a block finisher and will drive his assignments into the turf. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He wins a number of reps with sheer power, but has no issue just getting lower and out-leveraging big-time defensive linemen. His ceiling is about as high as anyone in this class. With official visits to Stanford, Cincinnati and Penn State coming up, we will likely know his college choice fairly soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["568183"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eee0c44c1f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Macauley is one of the toughest dudes in West Michigan. His strength is a major plus and his technique is very solid. He's another player benefiting from playing in a very tough conference and playing some very sound competition weekly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eli has done plenty to earn himself some respect on the recruiting trail and should be in consideration for more. His senior season has the potential to be a huge rise in stock for him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1225665"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eee0c44c236"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There aren't many things that will intrigue the college coaches quite like a 3-sport athlete that stands at 6'7 and 300 pounds. McCutcheon is a year-round competitor and has likely been saved by his willingness to travel to camps and ability to keep his Hudl updated. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pavel has done nothing but climb our rankings. His strength and size give him an extremely high ceiling right off the bat and has done a ton of work on his technique and footwork. It's absolutely paying off and will likely be the major reason colleges are ready to take their chance on him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1148699"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eee0c44c27c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Much like a couple of others in this piece, [player_tooltip player_id='1148699' first='Noah' last='Jimenez'] has steadily climbed the rankings. He's an All-League player who has done a great job of continuing to get better year after year. He has come into his own and developed himself into a top-10 lineman in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has a nice bucket step to get the outside shoulder of his defender and washes them down the line. His strong punch knocks defenders off balance, and then he is able to take complete control from there. In passing situations, he is able to absorb the defenders initial shot, and then has plenty of ways to counter their moves. Noah is in for a big 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->