2026 Rankings – In The Trenches (June ’24)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the month of June, we're updating all of our prospect rankings on Prep Redzone Oklahoma. We've seen a ton of football this offseason from the 7v7 circuit to camps to most recently with team camps. We kicked off our month of ranking updates last week with a look at the 2027 class as they head into their sophomore seasons this fall. This week, it's time to look at the 2026 class. On Monday, our 2026 rankings were updated to include the Top 125 players in the upcoming junior class. You can <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2026-rankings/">check out the updated rankings right here</a></strong>. In this post, we're putting the spotlight on the trenches. The offensive line is getting deeper and deeper and the defensive line has always been a top unit to watch in this class. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma every Monday this month for another ranking update!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["467410"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667441efa7e71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When Stillwater defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='467410' first='Nehemiah' last='Kolone'] was a freshman, <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/10/2026-standouts-pt-2/">we wrote that he was going to be a name to watch</a></strong> in this class even though he hadn't cracked meaningful playing time on the varsity level. Fast forward to the latest ranking update and he's a borderline top ten overall prospect and another defensive lineman that can absolutely take a game over. Kolone is a game-wrecker and it hasn't really mattered where he lines up on the defensive line. He was a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen and that should only continue this season. When we caught Stillwater in person, Kolone was so disruptive as a sophomore. And this offseason, he's seen his recruitment start to take off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["591882"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667441efa7ecd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ada offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='591882' first='Dawson' last='Matthews'] is the first of several prospects on this breakdown that have been standouts since their freshman year. Matthews got our attention when he was a freshman and having a lot of success against some of the best defenders in the state's 2026 class. Matthews didn't look like a freshman then and his game has only improved from there. The Ada standout has also seen his recruitment start to really take off over the last six months. Matthews continues to climb the charts and he's now firmly a top 20 overall prospect and he's flirting with that top spot at the offensive line position. We're fired up to see what improvement he makes from 2023 to 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["587268"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667441efa7f0e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another offensive lineman that has impressed us since his freshman year is [player_tooltip player_id='587268' first='Brooks' last='Barron'] when he was a breakout player for Booker T Washington. He spent his first two years there, becoming one of the better offensive lineman prospects in the state's 2026 class. He's been considered one of the better guys at his position since his freshman season. This offseason, Barron moved north to Owasso and he joins an Owasso offensive line that already has two D1 commits and could end up being the best offensive line unit in the state. And Barron is going to be able to slide in to one of the guard positions. And we've mentioned in the past how he fits that mold of an interior offensive lineman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["472322"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667441efa7f4d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year, we got a good look at NOAH offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='472322' first='Jude' last='Ballinger'] and he simply did not look like a guy that was just finishing up his freshman year in high school. Ballinger's older brother has been one of the better offensive linemen in the state and now it's Jude's turn to take that title. He really impressed us last season with his advanced skillset and he has a good frame to dominate on the line of scrimmage. The only thing left to figure out is what is the best position for him on the offensive line. Whether it's as a tackle or on the interior of the line of scrimmage. Another part of Ballinger's game that shouldn't be overlooked is what he can do on the defensive side of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1179993"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667441efa7f8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On the defensive side of the line of scrimmage, look out for Southmoore defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1179993' first='Nakwaine' last='Carter'] this fall. Carter would end up getting on the radar back in the fall when he picked up his first offer. We got a chance to watch Carter in person this spring and a few things stand out to us. And the first one is his motor. It was May and a team camp session but Carter was playing like it was a playoff game. He was giving everything to every rep and that was a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. Carter was lining up mainly as a defensive tackle and he might fit the definition of a "tweener" in recruiting. He's not a prototypical prospect at either position but you can't argue with the production and skill level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["858872"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667441efa7fc8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Norman offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='858872' first='Julius' last='Stephens'] is right there with some of the other top guys in this class in terms of experience. Stephens broke out as a freshman and earned playing time two seasons ago. He built on that momentum last season and he will be a three-year starter for the Tigers this fall. Stephens has the frame to be a very strong tackle prospect for the next level. We've only seen him a limited amount in person but the film is good and you can't argue with his size and experience. For a freshman to play at the 6A-1 level, you have to be a special talent. Stephens is going to be a name to watch this season and 6A-1 has quite a few offensive linemen to keep an eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1045557"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667441efa8005"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heavener defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1045557' first='Jerami' last='Casteel'] is the prospect on this breakdown that we don't know as much about compared to the other six. Casteel has really good film, has a strong frame but we still haven't seen him in person. So we can just go off what we've seen on film and he absolutely terrorizes the line of scrimmage while coming off the edge. The combination of speed, athleticism and power makes him very tough to slow down for an opposing offensive lineman. And with Casteel coming off the edge, he's a one on one nightmare and offensive tackles just have to do the best they can. Casteel is flying under the radar but he's definitely a name that needs more attention moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->