Western KY 26s to Watch: OL

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the end of June, the 2025 high school football season is quickly approaching. With that in mind, I wanted to take some time to highlight some incoming seniors in specific areas of the state of Kentucky. To continue these series, I will be taking the next week to highlight some incoming seniors at each position in Western Kentucky. After already covering the offensive skill players, here are some notable offensive linemen to watch in the class of 2026 in Western Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402549"],"_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-6862bfed4d2af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='402549' first='Jarvis' last='Strickland'] is our top-ranked player in the entire state in his class. Strickland lines up at left tackle where he is dominant as a run blocker. He does a great job of getting up to the second level quickly and destroying any defender in his path in the open field. Strickland has also proven to be reliable in pass protection, showing the footwork to mirror opposing pass rushers along with the ability to defeat pass rush moves with ease. Jarvis holds multiple Power 4 offers and I expect him to make a huge impact wherever he decides to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971531"],"_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-6862c219dd915"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971531' first='Ben' last='Myers'] is another high-caliber offensive lineman from Paducah Tilghman. Myers lines up mainly at right tackle but has shown the versatility to play on the left side when needed. He is a mauler in the run game, showing the ability to drive his man off the line of scrimmage with ease and finish his blocks with a ton of physicality. In pass protection, Myers has shown the ability to mirror opposing pass rushers while keeping a strong base, not allowing much penetration into the pocket. Ben currently holds several Division I offers and I expect more to come his way going into his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1175822"],"_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-6862c3c2096ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1175822' first='Drew' last='Johnson'] has been on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out as a junior. Johnson lines up at right tackle where he is very impressive as a run blocker. Drew has a physical initial punch which he is able to use to knock opposing defenders off balance with ease. He also does a great job of getting to the second level and picking up blocks in the open field. He has also proven to be reliable in pass protection, showing the ability to reach blocks on rollouts while also having the footwork to mirror pass rushers off the edge. Johnson doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should be paying attention to this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1655652"],"_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-6862c419e22e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1655652' first='Brandon' last='Griffith II'] jumped onto my radar with a strong junior year. Griffith lines up at right guard where he is very reliable as a run blocker. He is very reliable as a pulling guard, showing the ability to get out in front of the ball carrier and pick up blocks in the open field as a lead blocker. Brandon finishes his blocks with a ton of physicality, resulting in frequent pancake blocks. In pass protection, he has shown the ability to keep a strong base while absorbing contact and defeat pass rush moves with ease. Brandon currently holds multiple offers and I can see more coming his way this offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1697789"],"_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-6862c8222bba4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final notable 2026 offensive lineman to watch in Western Kentucky this season is [player_tooltip player_id='1697789' first='Tristan' last='French']. French lines up at center where he is very impressive as a run blocker. He does a great job of driving his feet through contract to create movement off the line of scrimmage. French finishes his blocks through the whistle, often resulting in pancake blocks several yards down the field. He has also proven to be reliable in pass protection, showing the ability to get the snap off quickly then keep a strong base while taking on contact, not allowing for much penetration into the pocket. French currently holds an offer from Kentucky Wesleyan and I expect his recruitment to continue to heat up this summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->