Building the Perfect Offensive Lineman in Tennessee: DII-A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tennessee high school football is loaded with talented offensive linemen, especially in Division II-AA. From athleticism and pass protection to technique and run blocking, several standouts bring unique traits to the field each Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this Prep Redzone scouting series, I'm building the ultimate player at every position and classification by combining the best size, skills, traits and intangibles from top prospects across the state. There's just one rule: each player can be used only once, unless necessary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next in the series, I'm doing Division II-AA offensive linemen. By blending the best qualities of five different players, I've created the blueprint for the perfect blocker in this classification heading into the 2026 Tennessee football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2205590} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/kdial.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-2205590" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: BGA OL [player_tooltip player_id='423394' first='Koehn' last='Dial'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL Frame: 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='423394' first='Koehn' last='Dial'] – Battle Ground Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting things off with the frame, there was no other choice besides [player_tooltip player_id='423394' first='Koehn' last='Dial']. The offensive tackle is a mammoth of a ball player, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 320 pounds with a long, well-built body that helps him anchor the left side of BGA's offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While he is one of the largest football players in the Southeast, Dial is athletic and built his body the right way. Even though he weighs over 300 pounds, he's lean with long arms and strength that you must have to play offensive line at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1689803} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/lburger.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1689803" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Silverdale OL [player_tooltip player_id='1674006' first='Luke' last='Burger'] during a game. Photo by SBA Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL Athleticism: 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1674006' first='Luke' last='Burger'] – Silverdale Baptist Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1674006' first='Luke' last='Burger'] from Silverdale Baptist Academy is another big offensive tackle, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 295 pounds, but he is incredibly athletic. He's fluid for his position and size, with the ability to move well laterally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Seahawks are able to use the rising senior in several ways because of his athletic ability. He is excellent out in space, whether that's in pass pro or past the line of scrimmage, where Burger can do serious damage to players at the second level. He has the tools to be a very productive offensive tackle, including his elite athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2157798} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Photo-Mar-24-2026-9-58-13-PM-crop-1075x706-1774407605.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2157798" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: FRA OL [player_tooltip player_id='2128042' first='Kyre' last='Vaught'] at the state championship. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL Technique: 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2128042' first='Kyre' last='Vaught'] – Franklin Road Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2128042' first='Kyre' last='Vaught'] is one of the most underrated offensive linemen in Tennessee, but happens to be the most technically sound in Division II-AA. He plays for Franklin Road Academy, arguably the No. 1 coaching staff in Tennessee, so it's no surprise why the 2027 prospect is so effective.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vaught has good footwork, a strong anchor, superb bend, excellent hand placement and powerful hands. He may lack in a few areas, but technique is not one of them. With that aspect, the size of Dial and the athleticism of Burger, this theoretical offensive lineman is already a monster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2206650} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/wdelong2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2206650" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: GCA Knox. OL [player_tooltip player_id='439667' first='Will' last='DeLong'] with two college coaches after a scrimmage.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL Run Blocking: 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='439667' first='Will' last='DeLong'] – Grace Christian Academy (Knoxville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='439667' first='Will' last='DeLong'] is another slept-on offensive lineman who plays right guard, but has the versatility to kick out and play right tackle if his team needs it. While I think he's a good all-around player, the rising senior is elite in the run game. He's the best in this classification, and one of the top in Tennessee as a whole.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeLong is powerful, has a nice first step, strong hands that very few can get away from and a relentless motor that allows him to dominate defensive players. The 2027 prospect lost over 70 pounds, which will give him a head start on whoever lines up in front of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2157792} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/154-Jake-Rogers-crop-897x589-1774407356.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2157792" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knox Webb OL [player_tooltip player_id='835332' first='Jake' last='Rogers'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL Pass Protection: 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='835332' first='Jake' last='Rogers'] – Webb School of Knoxville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final category we have is pass protection. There were a few I wanted to use, but the rule is that I cannot use someone more than once unless it's necessary. So, [player_tooltip player_id='835332' first='Jake' last='Rogers'] fills in for this. He may be an interior lineman, but his pass blocking skills are impressive and something that will help him in recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rogers has a nice first step, possesses high football instincts, a strong anchor, quick hands and good hand placement. I'd like to see the rising junior polish up in several areas, but he's already on the right track to being one of the top linemen in his class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->