Built for the Trenches: 2027’s Biggest Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football games are still won up front, and the 2027 Illinois class has no shortage of size in the trenches. From road-grading offensive linemen to interior defensive disruptors, this group of heavyweights already brings the type of frame college programs look for on both sides of the ball. Here are some of the biggest linemen in the class built to control the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1624829' first='Maxwell' last='Schueneman'], OL, Neuqua Valley </strong><br>At 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, Schueneman is one of the biggest offensive linemen in the class. He already carries college-level size and projects as a strong interior presence with the ability to anchor and generate movement in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2144270' first='Damare' last='Griffin'], OL, King </strong><br>Griffin checks in at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds and brings a massive frame up front. Offensive linemen with this kind of size immediately stand out, especially when they can combine power and strength at the point of attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1864654' first='Mekhi' last='Collins'], OL, Evanston </strong><br>At 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, Collins has ideal size and length for the offensive line. Big-framed linemen with his dimensions always draw attention, particularly as developmental tackle prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105043' first='Ralph' last='French'], OL, DePaul Prep </strong><br>French brings a strong interior build at 6-foot-2, 300 pounds. He looks like a natural fit on the inside where his size and strength can help control the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105105' first='Jordan' last='Wright'], OL, Belleville Althoff </strong><br>Wright checks in at 6-foot-3, 295 pounds and brings a sturdy, physical frame to the offensive line. He has the size to continue developing into a dependable interior blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Romeo McCollum, DL, Normal West </strong><br>At 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, McCollum offers both size and length on the defensive line. He is one of the more intriguing big-bodied defensive prospects in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1335314' first='Jake' last='McCastland'], DL, Wheaton Academy </strong><br>McCastland rounds out the group at 6-foot-1, 280 pounds. He brings a strong interior build and looks like a player who can continue to develop physically.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->