2027 Rankings Update: Offensive Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone North Carolina recently updated their Class of 2027 Rankings, and several players were added to the rankings after strong sophomore seasons! This article will focus on selected Offensive Linemen added to this ranking update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415457"],"_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-679c4f36d48d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For simple reasons, [player_tooltip player_id='415457' first='Bryce' last='Johnson'] moves into our number 1 ranked offensive lineman for the 2027 class. Bryce has the physical frame to be dominant not only in high school but in college also. Secondly, Bryce plays with a physical mentality at all times, with several dominating blocks on film. And thirdly, multiple colleges are already interested in him. Bryce has offers from Boston College, Troy, Liberty, Miami (Ohio), and East Tennessee State. Impressive for a sophomore OL, where offers typically come a little later in their development. Bryce was an All-Conference selection last season and has the ability to play both guard and center currently. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1607843"],"_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-679c4f36d4949"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Khalil McNair was a big reason why the Lions were able to win a State Championship earlier than what most Charlotte observers believed. The development of the Lions' offensive line to match their elite skill talent was a major factor in their offensive success in the postseason, and Khalil was a major part of that. Playing both right tackle and right guard, Khalil is a man-mover, plain and simple. Khalil shows enough athleticism and good footwork to work to the second level and absolutely obliterate linebackers and space. Khalil has good short-space speed to work on pulls and clear out defenders on traps and power-type of plays. It was fun to watch those highlights. Khalil has picked up some offers from both Johnson C. Smith and Georgia Tech, and I'd expect his ranking to move up in our next update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1604115"],"_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-679c4f36d49a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1604115' first='James' last='Han'] is a good-looking prospect who comes into our rankings 3rd overall. James had a strong sophomore season, earning All-Conference honors for a good Middle Creek team. When you look at the film, James is an absolute monster on down blocks, he often crushes defensive linemen into the ground, creating large gaps for his backs to run through. In pass protection, James does a good job of moving his feet and staying in front of pass rushers. The bonus at his young age is James does a good job of long pulling and skip pulling and leading up on linebackers at the second level of the defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1608330"],"_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-679c4f36d4a09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1608330' first='Khirye' last='Jones'] is a good-looking Center prospect who has excellent size already as an interior offensive line prospect. Looking at the film, Khirye can excel at a number of essential things for a good center. First off, Khirye can snap and step very well against both head-up and shaded techniques in both the running and passing game. I am impressed with his overall strength and footwork in coming off the football. Khirye does a good job in the running game working in tandem with his guards and then coming off 2nd level with good agility and speed to cutoff linebackers in the running game. As a pass blocker, Khirye doesn't allow upfield penetration against defensive tackles and often stonewalls them at the line of scrimmage. I will be excited to see him continue to grow and get even better over the next two years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1607774"],"_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-679c4f36d4a63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kevin Gilyard is a player you get excited about once you see the size - 6'5 and 300+ pounds just doesn't grow on trees, especially as a sophomore football player. He's relatively unknown for the moment, but that will change if Kevin continues on the trajectory his highlight film shows. Kevin can play both guard and tackle - as a guard he shows good strength in coming off the football on straight-ahead drive blocking in the running game. Kevin also showed the ability to short-pull and kick out block on traps, finishing his blocks well in these scenarios. At tackle, Kevin shows impressive patience in his kick slide against speed rushers and shows the strength to keep bull rushers at bay on the outside. He is another player with a bright future who shows a good work ethic in the weight room. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1607856"],"_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-679c4f36d4abb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I like a couple of things about [player_tooltip player_id='1607856' first='Joseph' last='Meyer'] here, but the first thing is the hard work in the weight room. Anytime you get a lineman who loves the steel, you always have someone you can depend on and who wants to get better. A max squat of 505 pounds, as a sophomore, big-time work. That strength translates to the field as well. Playing both right tackle and right guard, Joseph's strength shows up in pass protection against defensive linemen who try to bullrush him - they don't get very far. Joseph has quick feet, and I think projects more as a guard/center prospect on the next level right now. I love his motor as well - there are several plays on film where Joseph is blocking to the echo of the whistle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1607759"],"_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-679c4f36d4b11"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1607759' first='Malek' last='Griffin'] of Cardinal Gibbons is a good-looking physical prospect for a Cardinal Gibbons team who had a strong season overall. Playing left tackle, Malek shows some athletic footwork in pass protection against defensive ends, not giving the short corner around the edge against their pass rushes. Malek has some nastiness to his game also when he gets his hands on smaller defensive linemen - finishing them in the dirt with impressive aggression. Malek can also work 2nd level in space and fit and drive against linebackers well. As he continues to develop his overall strength in his upper body, I think he will become an even more effective drive blocker off the ball, but he is a very good pass blocker already for his level as a sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Offensive Linemen added to our rankings include the following:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeremiah Nichols - Scotland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aarion Bryant - Hunt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Connor Mullally - Myers Park </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oscar Riggle - Franklinton </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zachary Wilson - Harding</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tremillian Griffin - Scotland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chase Wells - Bandys</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ian Powell - Jordan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joshua Norris - South Point</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gavin Passino - Hickory Ridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nick Albright - Crest </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->