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<p>Last week's <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/updated-2027-north-carolina-rankings/">2027 Rankings Update</a> was one of our biggest ever, with over 190 new players hitting the rankings since February. With a very limited amount of time before we move to the 2028 class, there just isn't enough time to properly cover <em>every</em> new addition. Instead, we're going to take a bird's-eye view and evaluate the newly ranked players in larger groups. Here's a 30,000-foot view of the 21 new offensive linemen in the 2027 rankings.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What to Know About the Newly-Ranked OL</h2>
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<p><em>Editor's Note:</em> By this summer, we'll have full evaluations on every one of these players. We actually evaluated several in the lead-up to the rankings release (which is how some of them ended up ranked in the first place). Here, backlinks are our friends, so if we have a piece on the site with more info on a player, we'll link it below!</p>
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<p>Other Newly-Ranked Overviews:</p>
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<p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/newly-ranked-quarterbacks-overview/">QBs</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/newly-ranked-wr-rb-overview/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/newly-ranked-wr-rb-overview/">RBs/WRs</a></p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top-Ranked New Additions</h3>
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<p>We had several newly-added offensive linemen who jumped into the top 300. A few of them have full evaluations, and the guys who don't will get one in the coming months.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2204831' first='Gavin' last='Milton']</strong> | Grimsley</p>
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<p>We'd simply missed Milton on a fantastic Grimsley offensive line prior to his influx of offers. We'll own that. He's a dynamic left tackle with elite pass-blocking upside and elite run-blocking production. With tape that showcases his ability to make every different kind of block in the book, he'll be highly coveted on the recruiting trail.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2198505' first='Sammy' last='Wooten']</strong> | Lake Norman</p>
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<p>A late-bloomer, Wooten is turning heads on the camp circuit and getting a ton of love from FBS colleges. His straight-line speed (Yes, that's weird to type about a left tackle) and lateral quickness allow Lake Norman's offense a ton of flexibility, and he frequently makes reach blocks other guys can't make.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2117497' first='Gage' last='Camp'] </strong>| Burns</p>
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<p>Camp is extremely technically sound, and his lateral quickness turns heads. He's already impressed at multiple offseason camp stops, and he should become a popular player on the recruiting trail.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2074911' first='Tanner' last='Jones']</strong> | Jacksonville</p>
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<p>A versatile offensive lineman, Jones likely lands on the interior, and he has some experience at center. He came out of nowhere to win a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/ccc-clayton-recap-award-winners/">Carolinas Coaches Combine MVP award</a>, and since then, we've liked what we've seen from the Jacksonville blocker.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147056' first='John' last='Williams']</strong> | Midway</p>
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<p>"Big John," as he's known in the eastern part of the state, has earned his spring ranking the old-fashioned way. In two separate camp settings, he was one of the top performers, first in front of our Josh Graham, then <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/ccc-recap-winners-from-clayton/">in front of me</a> at the Carolinas Coaches Combine. He has long arms and elite strength to control defenders.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2148544' first='Nicholas' last='Capozzi']</strong> | Clayton</p>
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<p>Some of my coaching contacts in the area think Capozzi is underrated, and after <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-6-ol-in-johnston-harnett-county/">deep diving in Johnston County</a>, I think I agree. He grew in confidence during the 2025 season, and he's put in the work this offseason.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2168006' first='David' last='Thiel']</strong> | Mount Tabor</p>
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<p>Thiel isn't the biggest center you'll find, but his quickness and punch are really impressive. He's able to reach the second level with ease, remaining balanced and strong through contact.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 OL Sleepers</h2>
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<p>I want to highlight a few sleepers. Again, we'll have plenty of full evaluations over the next month or so, but these are just some preliminary "guys to watch out for."</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2167982' first='Cason' last='Holder']</strong> (East Forsyth) | <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2167992' first='Thomas' last='Caldwell']</strong> (Reagan)</p>
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<p>I'm mentioning these two together since they both made our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/top-6-ol-in-forsyth-county/">Forsyth County Deep Dive</a>. I like both on the interior, and they're both well-coached and strong run-blockers. Consistency in 2026 will be key, but both have flashed dominant pass-blocking reps.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2148632' first='Ayden' last='Jones']</strong> | Corinth Holders</p>
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<p>Jones is a massive interior lineman prospect with a few wildly impressive flashes. His balance and footwork are remarkably refined for a big guy, and he could probably kick out to tackle, if needed.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2168670' first='Kamel' last='Tillman']</strong> | Richmond Senior</p>
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<p>In full transparency, I had every intention of moving Tillman up from his place-holder ranking and just forgot. He's much better than the 640th-best prospect in North Carolina, and that will be fixed next update. I liked his core and upper body strength when I saw him a few weeks ago.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2126175' first='Will' last='Johnson']</strong> | Charlotte Catholic</p>
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<p>Johnson has the academic ability, strength, and film to be a high-level recruit. He just needs to be a bit more consistent on a down-to-down basis. He just picked up a Davidson offer late last week, and he's a strong candidate to move way up the rankings with his senior film.</p>
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<p><em>There's plenty to come from Matt Morrow, Joshua Graham, and me on the 2027 rankings over the next week. Stay locked in with Prep Redzone for more insights, evaluations, and rankings updates. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo code Helms30 will get them 30% off their first billing cycle for any subscription.</em></p>
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Last week's 2027 Rankings Update was one of our biggest ever, with over 190 new players hitting the rankings since February. With a very limited amount of time before we move to the 2028 class, there just isn't enough time to properly cover every new addition. Instead, we're going to take a bird's-eye view and evaluate the newly ranked players in larger groups. Here's a 30,000-foot view of the 21 new offensive linemen in the 2027 rankings.
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