5 Union County Offensive Linemen Impressing Early

<p>The 2026 North Carolina high school football season is in full swing, and amidst our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/calling-my-shot-3-upset-picks-in-week-3/">week-to-week coverage</a> of teams and players across the state, we're interspersing <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/5-2029-rbs-who-impressed-in-week-1/">film breakdowns</a>, especially at some positions that don't always grab the headlines. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/3-week-2-winners/">Union County is off to a hot start</a> in 2026, so I'm breaking down a few offensive linemen from that area who have impressed early.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which Union County Offensive Linemen Have Impressed in 2026?</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Talented Seniors</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">I could probably just pick the Marvin Ridge starting five for this article and be done with it, but I'm highlighting the impressive Rozema here. He's physically imposing and relentless. He'll block to and through the whistle, and while he can occasionally get caught a bit too vertical, his base and footwork allow him to correct mid-rep and open holes in the running game.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Garcia isn't the biggest tackle you'll find, but he can fire off in the running game, and speed rushers have trouble against him when he sets as a pass blocker. He's at his best when he's down blocking the three-technique, and he'll frequently climb to the second level with ease. He's bigger since we last saw him, but it doesn't look like he's lost any of the quickness that impressed us at the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prz-exposure-camp-ol-analysis/">Prep Redzone Exposure Camp</a> in the spring.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Promising Underclassmen</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Forest Hills is off to a nice 2-0 start, and an undersized but effective offensive line is a big part of that. Robertson doesn't have a ton of film, but he popped when I turned on the tape of some of the Forest Hills running backs. He's faced some leaner, quicker pass rushers and has done a good job of staying square and taking away both inside and outside rushing lanes.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">After showing his versatility as a sophomore, Pressley is playing as a center in 2026, and he's been impressive early. His snaps have been clean, and he's shown the ability to reach both left and right in the running game. He can climb to the second level, and he keeps both a steady base and a strong leg drive when engaged as a run blocker.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Mcilwain is a young guard/tackle with exceptional length. He has some versatility and has already flashed as a run blocker and a pass blocker. He plays much longer than his height would suggest, and he's able to engage and lock on against both tackles and ends. Monroe has run behind that right side quite a bit to start the year, and he'll continue to be tested against quality competition.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Union County OL On Our Radar</h2>   <p><strong>Chase Wakefield</strong> | Marvin Ridge</p>   <p><strong>Josh Benton</strong> | Porter Ridge</p>   <p><strong>Bryce Johnson</strong> | Weddington</p>   <p><strong>Landon Delk</strong> | Cuthbertson</p>   <p><em>We'll have more on overlooked players throughout the state this season. Follow Prep Redzone for coverage of regions, areas, teams, and players from across the entire state. What did we miss? Who needs to be highlighted? Help us help players, and let me know on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>)</em>.</p>

The 2026 North Carolina high school football season is in full swing, and amidst our week-to-week coverage of teams and players across the state, we're interspersing film breakdowns, especially at some positions that don't always grab the headlines. Union County is off to a hot start in 2026, so I'm breaking down a few offensive linemen from that area who have impressed early.