Offensive Linemen Primed for Breakout Seasons In 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Tennessee high school football season concluded two weeks ago with the East-West All-Star Game, marking the start of preparations for the upcoming season. There's a plethora of young players who got their feet wet this season, and some who took the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm starting a new series discussing players at each position who are poised to enjoy breakout campaigns in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the state of Tennessee boasting many talented trench players, all the student-athletes on this list are underclassmen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next in the series, we have the offensive line. I've selected five potential breakout stars to discuss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1968996} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/DanteOT.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1968996" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Baylor OL [player_tooltip player_id='1704258' first='Dante' last='Wade']. Photo from Baylor athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1704258' first='Dante' last='Wade'] – Baylor School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1704258' first='Dante' last='Wade'] is an athletic offensive tackle prospect who's primed for a breakout campaign in 2026, partially due to his elite frame as a young buck. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's 6-foot-7, 300 pounds with a lean frame and long, strong arms. With his long frame, Wade can put on more weight without losing his athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has yet to see varsity time for the Baylor Red Raiders, but he has all the physical tools to be one of the best trench players in Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising junior will likely be a starting offensive tackle next season, and I cannot wait to see what he looks like against the big-time competition of TSSAA Division II-AAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1599014} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/44-Trenton-Gibbs-rotated-e1736554992598.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1599014" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Oakland OL [player_tooltip player_id='1305173' first='Trenton' last='Gibbs'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='1305173' first='Trenton' last='Gibbs'] – Oakland High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Oakland freshman offensive lineman was impressive in his first high school season, seeing a lot of time for the 6A State Champions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1305173' first='Trenton' last='Gibbs'] played in all 15 games this year, earning All-Region 3-6A honors for his play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's well-built for his size, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 230 pounds with a lean frame. Many kids his age who are considered “big” are simply oversized, but Gibbs looks the part of a future Division I athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising sophomore plays on the interior offensive line, where he's forced his way into the rotation as a productive player both in pass protection and run blocking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1537327} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/user-uploads/Gabriel-Gonzalez-tn-new.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1537327" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knoxville Webb OL [player_tooltip player_id='1236042' first='Gabriel' last='Gonzalez'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='1236042' first='Gabriel' last='Gonzalez'] – Knoxville Webb</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1236042' first='Gabriel' last='Gonzalez'] from Knoxville Webb is arguably the No.1 freshman offensive lineman in the state of Tennessee. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The interior offensive lineman/center is a truly elite young player who will continue to improve as he develops throughout high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's 6-foot-3, 305 pounds with a solid frame and long arms. Gonzalez is a big player who's nasty in the trenches, looking like a seasoned veteran for the Spartans. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising sophomore plays with a high motor, has a strong anchor, is quick off the ball, efficiently gets to the next level and is a good communicator.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2088049} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Kendall-Brooks.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2088049" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Oakland OL [player_tooltip player_id='1536133' first='Kendall' last='Brooks']. Photo from his X/Twitter @KendallBrooks_.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1536133' first='Kendall' last='Brooks'] – Oakland High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1536133' first='Kendall' last='Brooks'] was a productive offensive lineman at East Nashville Magnet before announcing his transfer to Oakland earlier this month. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a massive man, at 6-foot-6 and 348 pounds. The brand-new Patriot is relatively athletic for his size, with a solid anchor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooks needs to recomp his body a bit, but Oakland will develop him in multiple areas, including that. Once he leans out, the big offensive tackle will be a beast for Kevin Creasy's team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He does move well for his size and excels in the run game when he gets his big hands on opposing players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2088054} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Jake-Meinhardt.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2088054" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: MBA OL [player_tooltip player_id='1704636' first='Jake' last='Meinhardt']. Photo from his X/Twitter @JakeMbafb.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1704636' first='Jake' last='Meinhardt'] – Montgomery Bell Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mongomery Bell Academy's [player_tooltip player_id='1704636' first='Jake' last='Meinhardt'] is a talented young player who possesses excellent size and versatility as a sophomore offensive lineman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, he can play anywhere on the offensive front, but projects more as a guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a strong, athletic player who will become a dominant threat on the MBA offensive line for the next few years. Meinhardt boasts a strong anchor, nice footwork, powerful hands and plays with a high motor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->