2026 Rankings: Breaking Down The Offensive Linemen

When you look across the landscape of college football, offensive linemen seem to be getting bigger, stronger and more athletic by the year. That effect has also trickled down into the high school level.   The prototypical lineman wants to be 6-foot-5 or taller and north of the 300-pound mark. That's not to say you can't play in college without those numbers but that's one thing that makes you stand out, especially on the high school scene.   And offensive linemen in South Carolina have done well once they move into college. We think this group will follow that blueprint as well.   We have three offensive linemen in our Top 10 and five in the Top 25 players for the 2026 Class. Those top three have already committed to ACC or SEC schools – [player_tooltip player_id='1165753' first='Tre' last='Aiken'] (North Carolina State), [player_tooltip player_id='473011' first='Desmond' last='Green'] (Florida) and [player_tooltip player_id='402516' first='Zyon' last='Guiles'] (South Carolina). North Augusta's [player_tooltip player_id='1251916' first='Malcolm' last='Gaston'] and Beaufort's [player_tooltip player_id='617718' first='Kenshon' last='Speaks'] round out the top five.   But there is depth and talent in the 62 linemen we have ranked. We feel certain most of them will move on and be huge contributors to a lot of different college programs.   This class is loaded with guys that fit into the tackle position but also features players that can play in the middle at either guard or center. One thing that stands out are a lot of these players are three or four-year starters and have played multiple positions already. That will translate well.   Here is the list of the entire 2026 Class of offensive linemen and we follow that up by breaking down what several of them bring to the table.    RANKINGS BUSTERS   [player_tooltip player_id='212409' first='Scottland' last='Dover'], Gaffney   Dover sits right outside of the Top 5 players among the offensive lineman, but we love what he brings to the table. He's 6-foot-4, 305 pounds and can move with the best of them. That's why he's already committed to Appalachian State. He plays tackle and is adept at pulling around to lead a trap or sitting back in pass protection. He does a great job with hand placement and drives the defender in the direction he wants to go.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165106' first='Bryson' last='Moore'], Irmo   The Yellow Jackets lost one of the most prolific quarterbacks in state history, but it will be easier for the replacement of AJ Brand because of Moore and his fellow guys in the trenches. Moore is the highest ranked of three Irmo senior offensive linemen in this class, joining [player_tooltip player_id='209335' first='Kieron' last='Vauls'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1267313' first='Vernen' last='Hairens'] in the top 178 players in the Class. Moore plays guard and is a mauler at the point of attack or out in space.   [player_tooltip player_id='1279914' first='Jordan' last='Browning'], Brookland-Cayce   Browning is 6-foot-1, 270 pounds but moves like a much smaller player. He's versatile and can play guard or tackle for the Bearcats, but we could see him moving inside on the college level. He's quick and dominant once he engages a defender. The thing we like best about Browning is he plays with a mean streak and isn't afraid to mix it up with anyone.     [player_tooltip player_id='1394980' first='Chris' last='Coleman'], Northwestern   We feel like Charleston Southern got a steal when Coleman committed to the Bucs. He's going to be a three-year starter at the center position for a team that is coming off a state championship. Coleman has great feet and does a good job of making sure the right calls are made up front. He creates lanes in the running game and does well in pass protection for a Trojans team that throws it a lot.   [player_tooltip player_id='1295662' first='Matthew' last='Atkinson'], West Ashley   We love the fact that Atkinson can play every position on the line. He's started at center but will likely play left tackle this season. He's 6-foot-4, 310 pounds and is a load wherever he lines up. Atkinson has tremendous straight-ahead power but can sit and pass block well when needed. He's able to engage with larger defensive linemen or smaller, quicker linebackers with ease.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592667' first='Cooper' last='Sanders'], Wren   Sanders has verbally committed to East Tennessee State. He plays tackle at Wren and at 6-foot-3, 275 pounds he could stick at that position in college. He's got a good frame that will be able to add some pounds when he reaches the next level. He showed off great versatility at the Carolina Coaches Combine as he was very good at long-snapping on special teams. Sanders wins most one-on-one battles in the trenches.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592664' first='Jacob' last='Cotham'], Fountain Inn   When you have an offensive lineman that played all three positions on the offensive front, the options are limitless. That's what Cotham gives you and this season he likely will be the center. Cotham moves into an unquestioned leadership role for the Fury and understands the role he's got this season. He's only 5-foot-10, 260 pounds but plays with the nastiness and energy of someone much bigger. He will be a key to the Fountain Inn success up front.   [player_tooltip player_id='1732582' first='Kiele' last='Pompey'], Dillon   The Wildcats are going to start a freshman quarterback this fall so it's going to be nice to have a four-year starter in front of him on the offensive line. Pompey will likely man one of the interior positions this season after spending much of last year at tackle. It's nice when you can plug in a guy that knows every position along the front five and let him do work wherever he lines up.   [player_tooltip player_id='1271589' first='Christian' last='Hewett'], Summerville   The Green Wave lost three seniors along the offensive line, but they feel good about the returners they have, led by Hewett. It's a fact that Summerville has some of the best skill position players in the state and Hewett is going to be a huge factor in success up front. He plays in the interior and drives defenders backwards in run blocking. He can also create a nice pocket for the quarterback to stand in and deliver a deep pass downfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='1738835' first='Zack' last='Page'], Latta   We all know that Latta wants to run the football and starting out behind Page is going to be a good start. He's strong with a low center of gravity and he likes to punish defenders in the box. He's over 300 pounds and has a huge upside in straight ahead blocking. Page can get out and move when required but his biggest strength is moving the player lined up in front of him. He creates nice running lanes for the backs.   SMALL SCHOOL PLAYER TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='1267226' first='Devaughn' last='Locust'], Lamar   Locust is going to be a two-way stand out for Lamar, but he's gotten bigger and stronger since last season and that's going to carry him a long way to being a leader. He's only 5-foot-11 but at 325 pounds, he gets after it with the best of them. He has great technique, and durability isn't an issue since he plays both ways. We like him at guard or center in college, and he's got one more season to show recruiters what he can do.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1267354' first='Austin' last='Wertz'], Ninety Six   Wertz plays guard and he does so with vengeance. When he pulls around the corner to lead a running play, defenders need to have their heads on a swivel because at 5-foot-9, 225 pounds Wertz is coming around the corner with a purpose. Obviously, he's one of the more undersized players on this list but he makes up for that with aggressive play. His ability to get out and lead a play is his biggest asset but he can get out he can mix it up in the middle against bigger defenders as well.    WILD CARD   [player_tooltip player_id='1639761' first='Jamarious' last='Wilson'], Loris   The fact that Wilson (pictured) seems to get bigger and stronger every time we get his measurables shows the fact he still has room for growth and development at the next level. He's going to see time on the defensive line and that very well may be his future, but we think he is an excellent center at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds. Wherever he ends up playing, we definitely believe he has a better than good chance of contributing on Saturdays in college.

When you look across the landscape of college football, offensive linemen seem to be getting bigger, stronger and more athletic by the year. That effect has also trickled down into the high school level.