2028 Offensive Linemen I’m Watching Closely in Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we're going to take a look at five junior offensive linemen that I'm going to be focusing on this week as the 2026 high school football season officially begins in Virginia. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's dive right in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1637150' first='Daven' last='Reed'] - Roanoke Catholic vs. Trinity Episcopal</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reed transferred over to Roanoke Catholic this offseason, and he'll make his against Trinity Episcopal this week in what should be an excellent game. He's currently our No.2-ranked offensive lineman in the 2028 cycle, and he'll be facing some legitimate pass rushers this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, it's only the first game, but the "[player_tooltip player_id='1637150' first='Daven' last='Reed'] vs. Trinity Episcopal defensive line" matchup is going to be exciting to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1720886' first='Kyan' last='Reaves'] - George Washington vs. Reidsville</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1720886' first='Kyan' last='Reaves'] is a 6'7", 300-pound battering ram who has a nasty streak in the run game. He's one of the better overall movers in the 2028 class, especially when pulling and working in space despite being such a tall player. Usually, longer offensive linemen have trouble with short-area quickness, but Reaves hasn't been hindered by it yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He currently holds 13 D1 offers, and that number will undoubtedly grow this year, and it all starts with his matchup against Reidsville's defense this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1014896' first='Mattox' last='Ratcliff'] - Gainesville vs. South County</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ratcliff is one of my favorite under-the-radar interior offensive linemen in the 2028 class. He has a great snap/trigger as a center, and he's equally impressive as both a run and pass blocker. Though he's slightly undersized at 6'1", 265 lbs., Ratcliff has the potential to earn some legitimate D2 and FCS-level offers as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gainesville has a tough Week 1 matchup against a good South County team this week, and if the Cardinals are going to start the 2026 season off 1-0, then [player_tooltip player_id='1014896' first='Mattox' last='Ratcliff'] and the rest of Gainesville's offensive line have to dominate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1701047' first='Isaiah' last='Whitehead'] - L.C. Bird vs. Midlothian</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1701047' first='Isaiah' last='Whitehead'], the current LSU commit and one of the strongest offensive linemen in the state, faces off against Midlothian this week. It's going to be interesting to see if he can start the year strong against a decent defensive line unit. At 6'5", 325lbs., he already looks like a collegiate offensive lineman and has played like one at times in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As mentioned earlier, Midlothian's defensive line is fairly underrated, so we could end up seeing some legitimate battles this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2108234' first='William' last='Young'] - Woodgrove vs. Independence</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2108234' first='William' last='Young'] was a massive riser this offseason as he was incredibly impressive at multiple recruiting camps and events. He has top-notch size and quick enough feet to see some higher-level offers roll in this year, and he has to get off to a hot start in 2026 if he wants to continue rising up recruiting boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young is going to be a player that I'll be watching quite a bit this season, and it begins with Woodgrove's matchup against Independence this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->