#TN2027 Offensive Line Watch List

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Finding high quality college offensive linemen in this state has become a constant thing over the past few years and I expect things to remain the same for the junior class. This is another deep group of trench monsters that will have college coaches flocking to this state to evaluate and recruit them. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As each year goes by here in the great state of Tennessee, the offensive line continues to form into one of the best recruiting positions for collegiate programs across the country and early on, the #TN2027 crop looks to continue the trend as it looks like another talented group destined for the big stage.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The battle for the top overall O-lineman in our junior class is not as cut and dry as past classes have been. Right now you have a mix of guys that could be considered the top prospect and who we choose as that top player may change by this time next year. That means development must be done with everybody in this class, including the potential top guys.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among the guys considered for the top overall offensive lineman for the #TN2027 class includes <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1159814' first='Antonio' last='Keefer'] </strong>(Southwind), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1673214' first='Jake' last='Baker'] </strong>(Ensworth), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866766' first='Weston' last='Hicks'] </strong>(Lipscomb Acad.), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='705894' first='Kaden' last='Buchanan'] </strong>(FCS) and fast rising tackle prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1571426' first='Gonni' last='Martin'] </strong>from East Nashville. All five of those guys are legit Power Four, D1 guys that bring tremendous potential to the field while also having plenty of room for growth.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keefer is a mauler with good arm length that shows upside to play right tackle in college but with his physicality, I like his game best inside at guard. If the Jags junior can increase his agility and explosion, playing outside is possible.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baker is new to Tennessee after transferring up from Dallas, Texas and his addition to the state immediately puts him at the top as the possibly the best O-line prospect. This guy is a technician that moves well while sporting the size and athleticism to handle tackle on the college level as well as the versatility to slide inside as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs have a stud with Hicks. This 6 '7 wide based O-lineman moves well for his size, showing the lower base athleticism and lateral movements to potentially play tackle in college. His wide frame and power would allow him to excel at guard as well. Buchanan is a pure guard that is another wide based guy that will stonewall his opponents and drive them off the line. The Commanders junior could be the best interior O-lineman for the #TN2027 class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1668253,"width":"267px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/kbuchanan.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1668253" style="width:267px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the best long term potential resides with Martin. The Eagles O-lineman shows on film athletic upside to possibly handle the blindside in college, especially if he adds more weight while continuing to enhance his lower base. Martin has the size, arm length and mobility that should excite plenty of collegiate coaches.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White Station junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1293357' first='Brayden' last='Washington'] </strong>and Southwind big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378854' first='Chris' last='Campbell'] </strong>are two Memphis based O-linemen that are physical maulers with great size and mean streaks that show up on film. Washington handles tackle for his Spartans team but his tenacious style of blocking fits best in college at guard. Campbell is a true guard that eats up space but also shows the athleticism and power to drive men off the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Possibly the best O-line in the state resides at CPA where the Lions have three junior studs in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158911' first='Isaiah' last='Bryant']</strong>, new addition <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154143' first='Ben' last='Hale'] </strong>and versatile blocker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='905243' first='Skyler' last='Smith']</strong>. Standing 6'5 270 plus pounds, Bryant has the build and makeup of a potential college tackle. He moves well for his size but if he can increase his agility and athleticism, remaining on the outside in college is very possible.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recently transferring over from MTCS, Hale is a big addition to the Lions front and a very talented young man that has his best football days ahead of him. This guy is a gritty, physical blocker that shows flashes of ability to play tackle but his biggest upside may reside on the interior. Smith is a versatile blocker that could play several roles in the trenches. He shows explosive flashes and strong technique that may help him best developing at center.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we currently sit within college camp season, one of the more under the radar talents that has yet to see their offer list take-off is Alcoa junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904845' first='Marlee' last='Watts']</strong>. Seeing this guy perform in person multiple times over the last year, the Tornadoes big man is one of the best pure guard prospects in this state that anchors well, shows good footwork and consistently keeps D-linemen in-check.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two linemen that show big potential and have recently landed offers to kick start their recruitments are Silverdale junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1674006' first='Luke' last='Burger'] </strong>and Munford big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1597028' first='Jaydien' last='Mullins']</strong>. The Seahawks have a potential stock riser with Burger that has great size and length along with a nice frame that doesn't show much bad weight. He moves well too, showing the upside to play tackle in college. Mullins is still raw and forming into his body but the athletic tools are in place to compete at tackle or slide inside to guard.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1689803,"width":"282px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/lburger.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1689803" style="width:282px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Melrose junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1670074' first='Tracy' last='Shaw']</strong>, Upperman big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1566197' first='Parker' last='Cox'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1587368' first='Logan' last='Murray'] </strong>from Davidson Academy are three talented offensive linemen that are still developing their games but have the size and skills to possibly make their way onto the D1 college level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shaw recently jumped on the scene by landing his first offers and his film shows why. The Golden Cats junior is a good athlete who moves well but needs more strength to fulfill his potential. Cox is an athletic guy that brings versatility up front. The Bees junior has tackle upside but could also develop well at center or guard as well. Murray is a mauler that would develop nicely at guard but shows the lower base, athletic upside to possibly handle right tackle in college.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our next section to talk about centers around the interior. We have a big grouping of potential college guard or center prospects that make this junior class deep. A lot of these may not have the complete, ideal size but they are good “football” players that have the chops to earn a college starting role somewhere down the road.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beech junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1634767' first='London' last='Parks']</strong>, GCA big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='439667' first='Will' last='DeLong']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580778' first='Timothy' last='Gay'] </strong>from Bradley Central and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1651712' first='Artie' last='Anderson'] </strong>out of Briarcrest Christian are four guys that have good size about themselves that could allow them to find their way into the D1 ranks one day. Parks in particular brings a nice combination of athleticism and size that could develop nicely at left guard or even center.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeLong and Gay are two bruising maulers that excel in the run game, showing nice power at the point of attack and the ability to drive their man into the second level. Anderson has an athletic frame with no bad weight that can be formed well in college. The Saints junior is a versatile guy that could possibly handle both guard positions as well as center.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next two studs coming off the Page O-line appear to be juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1570544' first='Preston' last='Ashmore'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='905242' first='Caleb' last='Coffman']</strong>. Both these guys are interior prospects that will be showcased in starting roles this far that should help boost the college stocks. Ashmore and Coffman both play a physical brand of football along with the ability to move their feet laterally, showing pass protection upside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shelbyville junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1635143' first='Chandler' last='Cates'] </strong>is a physical mauler that does some good work in the run game. The Golden Eagles big man has vastly improved his athleticism over these off-season months, providing himself the upside to play left guard or all three interior O-line positions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1635547,"width":"289px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/ccates.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1635547" style="width:289px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bearden junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1643231' first='Eli' last='Tolley']</strong>, Hendersonville interior O-lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1602208' first='Colt' last='Patterson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1651714' first='Patrick' last='McCammon'] </strong>from Brentwood and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932937' first='Neyland' last='Roe'] </strong>out of Jackson Christian all show the potential to turn into college centers somewhere down the road. All three could turn into guards as well, so the versatility is strong with this four pack of junior O-linemen that have a chance at increasing their college interest with strong Fall campaigns.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking into the tackle position again, we have two guys in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592127' first='Carmello' last='Peoples'] </strong>from Tyner Academy and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1567255' first='Colin' last='Romero']</strong>, who recently transferred to Nash. Christian, are two guys that show the athletic profile to play on the outside in college but more development is needed to stay there.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peoples has the height and length needed but work on his balance and add more weight. Romero has started to form into his body nicely and enhance his athleticism to possibly play some tackle but I think his best upside may come inside at center.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Gibson junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866736' first='Max' last='Paschall'] </strong>and Christian Brothers big man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1306692' first='Alex' last='Sansom'] </strong>are two wide based big men that handle tackle in high school but fit better in college at guard. Paschall is a massive young man that brings natural power to the field that works well in the run game. Sansom is a beefy guy that has athletic upside within his body but must form his body better and increase his agility and explosion to gain more recruiting attention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other O-linemen on the Radar: </strong>(OL) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263300' first='Austin' last='Pilkerton'] </strong>- East Robertson, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1635686' first='Blaze' last='Parker'] </strong>- Fairview, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817904' first='Carson' last='Moore'] </strong>- Huntland, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580776' first='Daniel' last='Callahan'] </strong>- Page, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='906620' first='Daniel' last='Jarquin'] </strong>- Whites Creek, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1294325' first='Durgan' last='Ragland'] </strong>- Hardin Valley, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675164' first='Graham' last='Wright'] </strong>- Knox. Halls, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1111031' first='Landon' last='Hart'] </strong>- Harriman, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902973' first='Lane' last='Ferguson'] </strong>- Alcoa, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1576815' first='Luke' last='Wilson'] </strong>- Chester Co., <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1286234' first='Tommy' last='Barksdale'] </strong>- Brentwood, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1366551' first='Vance' last='Young'] </strong>- Anderson Co., <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598500' first='Weston' last='Davis'] </strong>- Heritage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1689807,"width":"286px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/jaymullins2.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1689807" style="width:286px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->