2025 Preseason All-State: Offensive Line and Tight Ends

The offensive guys up front on the preseason All-State team have a lot in common.   They're big, strong, physical, and nasty across the board. But each one brings a unique skill set that has served their teams well already, and they're in a position to do even bigger things this season.   Here's a look at the offensive linemen and tight ends on this year's team.   OFFENSIVE LINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1165753' first='Tre' last='Aiken'] Clinton - Aiken was already important for the Red Devils' success, but as a senior, he'll be the cornerstone of a power-rushing attack that racked up more than 4,700 yards on the ground on the way to a 2A state title. He'll be blocking for a talented stable of backs including [player_tooltip player_id='1161156' first='Javen' last='Cook'], and Aiken has all the tools - size, power, and a physical nature. However, his grasp of what Clinton wants to do offensively is just as important. There's a lot of misdirection and window-dressing in Clinton's backfield. On the line, though, it often comes down to straight-ahead power football. Nobody's better at that than Aiken.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165103' first='Anthony' last='Baxter'] South Pointe - Baxter, a South Carolina commit, makes a living making other people's lives miserable. That's certainly how it seems if you're an opposing defensive lineman. Baxter excels in absolutely neutralizing players and eliminating them from the play, and seems to delight in pancake blocks. He's not all pure power, obviously. He's got good feet and plays with great technique. But for the most part, when the Stallions want to run over you, Baxter is more than happy to oblige.   [player_tooltip player_id='756223' first='Nate' last='Carson'] Irmo - There are few things more difficult for an offensive lineman to adjust to than the play of a dual-threat QB who likes to improvise. That's what Carson was tasked with while playing in front of the ultra-athletic AJ Brand, who was at his best when forcing the issue. That caused Carson to learn to react to what's happening around him, and that's made him better. Make no mistake, he can plow straight ahead (and keep you from doing it) just like everyone on this list. But an athletic QB turned Carson into an even more athletic tackle, which fits nicely with his size and his nasty streak. Unless you're playing against him.   [player_tooltip player_id='212409' first='Scottland' last='Dover'] Gaffney - New Gaffney head coach Donnie Littlejohn was a high school standout and a Jacobs Blocking Award recipient at Furman. So when he singles out a lineman for some praise...yeah. He's pretty good. That's where Dover (pictured) finds himself. The offensive line has turned into a constant parade of big-name, big-play guys for the Indians, and Dover's next in line. He's big, physical, and capable of doing a lot of different things well for Gaffney. Most of those things involve imposing his will on opponents. In one of the toughest defensive regions in the state, things will be won and lost with smaller battles on the line of scrimmage. Dover's gonna win more than a few.   [player_tooltip player_id='1251916' first='Malcolm' last='Gaston'] North Augusta - There are huge offensive linemen, and then there's Gaston. At 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds, he dwarfs most opponents and he plays like it. A lot of Gaston's game is physical brute force, just shoving guys out of the way. But there's so much more to his talent than that. A tackle by trade last season, Gaston's versatile enough to play center, and he looks good pulling and lead-blocking downfield. That rare combination of size and speed has college coaches taking notice. Opponents will figure out that Gaston is a problem pretty quickly, too.   [player_tooltip player_id='473011' first='Desmond' last='Green'] Timberland - On the other end of the state, Green's doing a lot of the same things that set Gaston apart. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound Green has all the makings of a tackle, but instead can play center or at either guard. His size and outright athletic ability really set him apart inside, and he's capable of taking key defenders out of the gameplan. Green's athleticism is where he really shines, particularly in his ability to move faster and far more nimbly than someone his size should be able to do.   [player_tooltip player_id='402516' first='Zyon' last='Guiles'] Carvers Bay - Guiles isn't just one of the most physical linemen on this list, he's one of the most physical players in the state. Guiles was thrown into the fire early, and he caught on quickly and has steadily improved since. The South Carolina commit moves really well and has shown a great grasp of playing with technique, but at the end of the day he's just got more than a healthy streak of old-school OL nasty, and he uses it to put guys where he wants them.   [player_tooltip player_id='1151291' first='Brody' last='Lorenzo'], Dutch Fork - How is a rising sophomore considered for this list? Well, Lorenzo's 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, and good enough to start for the Silver Foxes as a freshman. He's also got a ton of time to improve on his incredible start, and has already shown the ability to dominate guys older and stronger than him. The sky's the limit for Lorenzo's development, and he's in an ideal situation to shine.   [player_tooltip player_id='617718' first='Kenshon' last='Speaks'] Beaufort - Speaks is another guy who's made a big impact from the beginning of his career, as he's entering his fourth year as a starter for the Eagles. He's grown from out-playing guys bigger and stronger than him to outplaying nearly everybody. At 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds, Speaks has been an anchor on the line for Beaufort, first at guard and now at tackle. Speaks' junior film is basically a loop of him burying guys downfield. Get ready for the sequel.   TIGHT ENDS   [player_tooltip player_id='1535039' first='Tilden' last='Riley'] Orangeburg Prep - At 6-foot-4, Riley is a matchup problem in the passing game, but he's also kind of a unique guy at TE in that he's more than capable of flexing outside and playing WR as well. He's also been used on a few misdirection plays and jet sweeps, taking full advantage of his speed. Riley has the size and ability to get even better, and could have a huge season in front of him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1395078' first='Kam' last='Taylor'] Woodruff - The Wolverines have all the ingredients for Taylor to have a big year. There's some experience on the line, a workhorse RB, a burner out at receiver, and a young QB who will be learning game pressure as he goes. That's all good news for Taylor, a field-stretching, strong blocking, matchup nightmare of a TE. He'll help pave the way on the edge for [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson'], he'll take some pressure off in the receiving game, and he'll serve as a safety valve when he's needed. All of that is in addition to the plays were he'll be the focus, and there should be a bunch of them.

The offensive guys up front on the preseason All-State team have a lot in common.