Five Trench Monsters in the 2027 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The trenches are blessed with depth in the 2027 class. I have five guys who were monsters in 2025 who deserve recognition for their level of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1207689"],"_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-692b88081c454"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brody is a quick athlete at his size. He uses his speed and burst to get a great jump on the snap, and his active hands help his pass rush. He can stunt around the edge and pursue the quarterback. He uses his momentum to shed blocks and is an active run defender. Brody earned 1st Team All-ECC honors this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1934463"],"_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-69461dd9da12c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elijah is a vicious mauler in the middle of New Lexington's front line. He's got a great initial strike and can drive his matchup anywhere he wants. He can pull to get outside of off-tackle runs. He can operate anywhere in the interior at the next level. As a defender, his get-off is incredible. He's got swift hands and excellent hip mobility. He's a very versatile interior defender. Elijah was 1st Team All-District and the defensive lineman of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["803213"],"_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-6946131569d76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lael is a monster of a man. He's able to fill gaps with his size and power. He can beat double blocks and still take away lanes with his length. He's got good burst and can drive the pocket back as a pass rusher. He's a much better athlete than you would think for a man his size. Lael was an All-ECC honorable mention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1939844"],"_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-69460dec75208"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dakota caught my eye early in the season. He uses leverage and hand placement to win reps as a pass protector. At LT in Newark's offense, he does a great job at cutting off his rusher, then turning them inside out. He has a solid anchor to work with. He can work on the interior as a run blocker. He gets great forward push as a guard and can contain his assignment, allowing his runners to get through gaps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1939837"],"_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-69460dec75304"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dwayne is a fun watch on his 2025 film. He's not the biggest lineman, but he makes up for it in fundamentals and mobility. He is an effective blocker as a puller and looks for contact at the second level. He can get out wide to block for screens and can drive defenders out of the play. His hand placement is great, and can turn out defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->