First State Future: Nine Class of 2030 Delaware Linemen to Know

While the state of Delaware was the first of the 13 colonies, which is why it's known as the "First State", it's likely nearly last on everyone's list when thinking about where football talent in America comes from. However, there are hidden gems that come out of second smallest state in the county every year. Here's a look a nine class of 2030 Offensive and Defensive Linemen to know for the future.    In June 2025's All-Delaware Bowl, Ian Robinson Jr. established himself as one of the top Edge rushers in the area, as he finished with 2.5 sacks and a tackle for loss (3.5 in total). He has played the last few seasons for the Chester Township Cougars of the Independent Youth Football League in Pennsylvania, and has stood out amongst some talented athletes throughout the Twelve Mile Circle. Comparing his film from December 2024 to June 2025, he has clearly leaned out a bit and looks significantly quicker off the edge.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRr3qAokeVs </div></figure>     While Robert Lopez III got the start at Left Tackle for the victorious White Team in the All-Delaware Bowl in June 2025, his biggest impact came on the defensive side of the ball as an Edge rusher. Opting to operate out of a two-point stance, Lopez III used quickness and strength to bully his way into the backfield. Unless my eye went elsewhere, I didn't even see him use any specific pass rush technique or moves -- just went straight through the Offensive Tackle(s). He's a nice combination of size, strength and quickness at this point. He finished the game with the Overall Lineman MVP for his work on both sides of the ball.     Stovall got the start at Left Guard for the Purple Team in the 2025 All-Delaware Bowl, and was frequently used in the Defensive Tackle rotation as well. While I don't have exacts on his height and weight, Stovall is a wide body. He's a load on the interior of both lines and showed a lot of force firing off the line. With his frame and the weight he carries, he was very effective in spirts but appeared to get fatigued quickly.     While the other Edge players featured in this write up are built like today's hybrid Defensive End/Outside Linebackers, Chance Hawkins is built more like a traditional run-stopping Defensive End. Built thick, almost like an interior Defensive Tackle, but moves better in space. Again, no real pass rush moves, just a bull rush. That said, he did a good job of attacking half the man and gaining penetration. He looks ideal for a 3-4     When looking at the most complete class of 2030 linemen in Delaware -- both offensively and defensively -- Christopher Gomez has to be near the top of any list. A starter at both Right Guard and Defensive Tackle in June 2025's All-Delaware Bowl, Gomez was an instant standout when watching the game. Possesses a high-cut lower body and powerful upper body. Long arms. Athletic for his size. After dominating the competition in Delaware over the last few years (All-Delaware Bowl Linemen MVP in '24, set the record for pancake blocks (11) in '23), Gomez will suit up for the Maryland Heat in 2025, leaving the Kent County Stallions.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxzQZw0b9pY </div></figure>     By the naked eye, Joshua Gildersleeve, the starting Right Tackle for the White Team in the 2025 All-Delaware Bowl, was the tallest of the linemen in the showcase game. He's listed at 6-foot-1 and 245-pounds and has a great frame to work with. He carries his weight well and is proportional. He did well in the power game and looked good in run blocking. Needs to work on knee bend/staying lower, improving his kick slide in pass pro, and his feet in general. He was challenged a bit when lined up against Edge rushers with speed.     This past June 2025 Tyler Orth was selected to his second straight All-Delaware Bowl, starting at Right Tackle for the Purple Team. With him wearing jersey No. 80, and looking to be in very good shape based off his build, Orth looks more like a Tight End than anything else. He has long arms and has the right amount of meat on his bones to excel at the Tackle position. He climbed the ladder with ease and was able to pick off scraping Linebackers. Did a nice job of moving his feet and was dependable in pass protection.     The second City Life Raptors prospect in this writeup, akin to his regular season teammate Jaizon Stovall, Jean Romeus also got the start at Guard -- but he was on the victorious White Team in June 2025's All-Delaware Bowl. At this point Romeus lacks ideal hight for long term projections, but he's thick and strong. For a middle school-aged interior O-Linemen he fits the bill. Short and squatty, he did an excellent job using his stature to his advantage by staying lower than the bigger guys and driving them off the ball.     One of the first prospects that caught my eye in the June 2025 All-Delaware Bowl, Niikai Jackson was one of the bigger prospects at 5-foot-11 and 220-pounds. A Team Captain and starter at Defensive Tackle, he didn't exactly pad the stat sheet but he was very disruptive throughout the game. Showed the ability to fight across the face of the Offensive Linemen tasked with blocking him, managing two gaps. Jackson also did a nice job of collapsing the pocket up the gut. Summing it up, he did a lot of things well that don't necessarily show up in the box score.

While the state of Delaware was the first of the 13 colonies, which is why it's known as the "First State", it's likely nearly last on everyone's list when thinking about where football talent in America comes from. However, there are hidden gems that come out of second smallest state in the county every year. Here's a look a nine class of 2030 Offensive and Defensive Linemen to know for the future.