Future of the Front Line: 2027’s Rising Linemen to Watch

<p>When it comes to building a football team, you always start up front. The guys in the trenches don't always get the headlines, but they're the backbone of everything — whether it's setting the tone in the run game, protecting the quarterback, or blowing up plays before they ever get going.</p>   <p>With the 2027 class heading into their junior year, a lot of these linemen are just starting to come into their own. Some have already started on varsity for a year or two, while others are just now getting real reps and showing flashes. Either way, this is the time when things start to click — and when evaluators start taking a closer look.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Jenkins is one of those linemen who just moves different. He's got a smoothness to his footwork and a quick burst off the line that honestly reminds you of a defensive lineman shooting a gap. That initial explosion gives him a big advantage — whether it's opening up holes in the run game or dropping back into pass protection with enough depth to keep speedy edge rushers at bay. What really jumps out is how strong and long he is. At 6'4” and 280 pounds, he's already got a college-ready frame with the kind of build that's tough for defenders to get around. Once he's locked on, it's a battle to get free. And when you add in the fact that he plays with a wide, stable base, it makes him even more of a problem for guys trying to work through him. There's still room to grow, especially when it comes to refining his hand placement and keeping his pad level low through contact, but the upside is obvious.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Cainion may not have the size of some of the other guys on this list just yet, standing at 6'1” and around 200 pounds, but man, he's got some juice. His first step is flat-out electric — the kind of get-off that puts offensive linemen in panic mode right away. He's one of those twitchy edge guys who can dip, bend, and rip through a gap before the blocker has even gotten set. Even when a lineman does get hands on him, Cainion rarely stays blocked for long. His hand work is sharp — constantly fighting, swiping, and attacking the hands of the offensive lineman to stay free. It's clear he takes pride in the details of his technique, which allows him to overcome some of the size mismatches he runs into. He's not just relying on speed and flash — there's substance in how he wins. With the tools he already has, adding power to the mix will make him a serious headache for offenses trying to keep him out of the backfield. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jaycainion9/status/1800587734219927588 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Making the move from McClintock to AZ Compass, Sorensen is getting well-deserved D1 attention this offseason. He's the kind of guy every coach wants in their lineup: plays through the whistle, doesn't take plays off, and shows real pride in dominating his assignment. You don't see a lot of defenders winning reps against him, and that's no accident. He's almost always the biggest guy on the field, and more importantly, he knows how to use that size. Sorensen isn't afraid to let a defender engage him — in fact, he welcomes it at times. He's confident in his upper body strength and understands how to reset and drive a guy off his spot if needed. That combination of patience and power is what makes him so tough to shake. He doesn't panic when things get messy; instead, he stays composed, reads the situation, and adjusts. If a defender tries to spin or redirect, Sorensen will ride it out and help turn that movement into a win for the offense. He's smart, he's physical, and he plays with an edge that shows up on every snap.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Zembrycki is the kind of player who brings value on both sides of the ball. As a defensive end, he's got a knack for collapsing the pocket — he doesn't just push his blocker back, he drives them straight into the lap of the quarterback. That kind of power at the point of attack stands out, especially when paired with his natural motor. You also see that same physicality when he lines up as a tight end or H-back. He plays with a real edge — just a gritty, hard-nosed style that shows up when he's blocking for running backs as well as attacking the other teams'. He's the type of guy who's going to outwork his opponent, plain and simple. That effort pops off the film, even if the technique is still catching up. Right now, he's working with a lot of raw tools — strong frame, good athletic base, and a relentless mindset. As he gets more varsity reps under his belt and continues to refine the technical parts of his game, like hand usage and block recognition, there's real potential for him to take a leap. Chandler has produced plenty of top-tier trench talent over the years, and Zembrycki absolutely has the upside to be added to that list.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Brice is an absolute force up front — the kind of lineman who plays with a combination of size and physicality that you just can't teach. Standing 6'5” and tipping the scales around 300 pounds, he's got the frame you want in an offensive lineman. He's not just leaning on defenders — he's putting them in the dirt and finishing plays with authority. What makes him especially valuable is how well he moves at that size. He's often asked to pull, climb to the second level, or chip and redirect before heading upfield — and he handles it with ease. Once he builds momentum, it's a nightmare for defenders trying to get in his way. Even with all that power, he plays with a surprising level of control. He doesn't just throw his weight around — there's purpose behind his movement, and he understands how to use leverage and angles to win. Brice already has the kind of nastiness and finishing ability coaches love, and with more technical polish and reps against top competition, he could really take off this fall.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Inzunza is one of those defensive linemen who blends raw strength with technique in a way that makes him really tough to block. At 6'2” and 270 pounds, he's already built with that natural lower-body power you look for in a trench guy. He plays with great leverage — always keeping his base under him and generating force through his hips and legs. You rarely see him get knocked off balance, and that stability lets him control the point of attack. What makes him even more dangerous is that he's not a one-trick pony. If bull-rushing doesn't get him home, he's got a full toolbox to go to. His rip move is nasty — violent and well-timed — and it helps him create separation even against bigger, more experienced linemen. He's got surprisingly quick feet too. He explodes off the ball with a sprinter's stance, and that first step puts him in position to win early. He's definitely one I'll be keeping a close eye on this season — there's just too much talent and potential there to ignore.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kai_FB1/status/1920889769292103883 </div></figure>

When it comes to building a football team, you always start up front. The guys in the trenches don't always get the headlines, but they're the backbone of everything — whether it's setting the tone in the run game, protecting the quarterback, or blowing up plays before they ever get going.