Trench Talk: Sleepers in Kentucky’s 2027 OL Class

The 2027 class is heading into a big season, and today, we're taking a look at a handful of offensive linemen who have the potential to rise quite a bit this fall.    Brockett has great length at 6'4” and moves much better than a lot of bigger linemen his size. He shows good footwork and doesn't look clumsy or stiff, which really stands out on tape. He's a good athlete overall, and the basketball background clearly comes through with his movement skills and body control. He can hold up in pass protection and also create movement in the run game when he gets engaged. If someone can convince him to fully pursue college football, I think the potential is pretty obvious because the physical tools and athletic profile are there.     Hummel has great length and put together a good season, helping lead St. Xavier's strong run game last year. He brings the power of a tackle with some of the movement ability and speed you'd expect from a guard. That versatility gives him the potential to play either inside or outside at the next level, depending on how his body develops. He plays with a good motor and shows solid feet that should continue improving in a collegiate pass protection system. I think the combination of size, movement skills, and positional flexibility makes him a pretty intriguing offensive line prospect.     Hines is a good interior offensive lineman who brings a well-rounded game to the field. He has strong hands, plays with good pad level, and consistently maintains a solid base through contact. He's also fairly nimble for an interior player and can get out in space as a lead blocker when needed. You can tell he spends time in the weight room because the strength and conditioning show up on tape. He may not be the flashiest name, but he's steady, physical, and consistently does his job. I think that kind of reliability is valuable up front and often gets overlooked.     Lageman started to flourish late last year as his team made its playoff run and looked more confident as the season went on. He has a quick first step and does a nice job generating movement in the run game. His hand and head placement are solid, and he stays technically sound without getting caught with his hands outside very often. He also keeps his feet driving through contact and works to finish blocks. He has a decent frame that can still be developed physically, which adds to the long-term upside. The growth he showed late in the year was really encouraging.     Larison is a good center who started all season and didn't give up a sack. He clearly puts time into working on both snapping and long snapping, which is smart because versatility in the trenches matters more than people realize. Nobody really talks about long snappers until a team desperately needs one, and it's an incredibly underrated role. He may not have the biggest frame, but he understands his game and what he does well. He plays under control, knows his assignments, and brings reliability to the middle of the line. There's a good chance that his awareness and versatility make him a valuable addition to a program.

The 2027 class is heading into a big season, and today, we're taking a look at a handful of offensive linemen who have the potential to rise quite a bit this fall.