2027 Watchlist Check-In: Offensive Line

There's plenty of talent on our watchlist, and we're breaking down the entire list. In our last <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2027-rankings-january-update/">rankings update</a>, we saw a host of players who rose after initially being listed on the watchlist. In this spring series, we're evaluating every player on our 2027 watchlist. Who knows? Maybe some of these guys make their mark in the next rankings update. Next up, the offensive line.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 Watchlist Offensive Linemen</h2>   Editor's Note: If you want more information about how a player ends up on our watchlist, check out my <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/2027-watchlist-check-in-quarterbacks/">2027 Quarterback Check-In</a>, where I went in-depth on the mechanics behind our watchlist feature.    I'd actually heard that Jaynes was having a phenomenal season, but I didn't get to see him until the state championship. Jaynes thrives despite being undersized due to excellent technique and anchor. Not only is he bound for the rankings, but he should jump comfortably above a bunch of other players at his position.     Muhammad thrived at tackle despite being a bit undersized, probably because he's athletic and longer than his frame suggests. He's not a guy who's going to pancake a ton of guys, but he can get to defenders in the open field, and more than holds his own as a pass blocker.     Donovan has excellent size and quickness; he's just adjusting to the tackle position. He's at his best when he's in attack mode, and his first step and strength can really challenge defenders.     Wells' quickness is what allows him to win as a tackle despite his size. He fires off the ball in the running game and gets into the chest of defenders before they can get off the ball. He may ultimately end up on the defensive side of the ball, but his presence at tackle is helping the Bandys offense.     Smith has great size, and he's performed well in offseason camp, just needing an opportunity under the lights on a Friday. He has a good punch as a pass blocker, and he typically can engage defenders before they get to his chest, thanks to his length.     Bazemore plays with good balance and punch as a run blocker. We don't have much film from later in the year, but he got in a nice rhythm early in the season. He has good footwork as a pass blocker, too. We're excited to see more of the rising senior.     Hand made his mark on the field as a junior after patiently waiting his turn. A strong player with good footwork, Hand is a great thrower in track and field, both with the shotput and discus. He's a weightroom junkie who will likely add some more weight in the offseason.     Leach was part of a strong, young Middle Creek offensive line in 2025 and likely deserves elevation to the rankings. Playing mostly guard, Leach looked good, especially when on the move as a puller or in space.     Like a couple of other guys on this list, we didn't realize Garland was having such a great year until he was named an all-conference selection. When we heard that, we rushed to look at the film. It looks like he's finally broken out. He has a nasty streak and plays with more strength than his size suggests.     Because the stats aren't as obvious, we can miss offensive linemen. That's clearly the case with Hefner, who not only played well at left guard but was a top defender for Newton-Conover, as well. He's getting bigger and stronger and was a key part of both Red Devil units.    This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, re-evaluate prospects, and change our minds about players. Send your film on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>), so I can evaluate you. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo Code Helms30 is good for 30% off your first billing cycle.

There's plenty of talent on our watchlist, and we're breaking down the entire list. In our last rankings update, we saw a host of players who rose after initially being listed on the watchlist. In this spring series, we're evaluating every player on our 2027 watchlist. Who knows? Maybe some of these guys make their mark in the next rankings update. Next up, the offensive line.