Top 5 Class 4A O-Linemen in Tennessee: 2026 Scouting Report

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tennessee high school football is loaded with talent heading into the 2026 season, and the Class 4A group is packed with standout offensive playmakers. As summer approaches, several guys are emerging as top prospects to watch in Tennessee high school football recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this scouting series breaking down the top football players by position and classification, here's an in-depth look at the top five Class 4A offensive linemen in Tennessee entering the 2026 high school football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/NoahTarver71/status/2055418796060426367?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NoahTarver71/status/2055418796060426367?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 OG [player_tooltip player_id='1694975' first='Noah' last='Tarver'] – Upperman High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1694975' first='Noah' last='Tarver'] is one of the top interior offensive linemen in Tennessee and is coming off a standout season for Upperman High School. The right guard earned Prep Redzone All-State honors and looks to build on that success in 2026. He recently picked up his first offer from UT Martin, but the physical trench player should see his recruitment speed up throughout the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He offers nice size for his position, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 270 pounds with a strong, lean frame. Tarver is nasty in the trenches, always looking to embarrass whoever lines up across from him. He gets off the ball well, offers solid technique and drives people into the second level with ease. The rising senior's pass protection skills are solid, but he excels on run plays, where Tarver uses his strong hands and big body to physically overpower opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1598771} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/107-Marlee-Watts-rotated-e1736531448560.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1598771" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Alcoa OL [player_tooltip player_id='904845' first='Marlee' last='Watts'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 OT [player_tooltip player_id='904845' first='Marlee' last='Watts'] – Alcoa High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='904845' first='Marlee' last='Watts'] is an impressive offensive line prospect who's coming off his second consecutive season with Prep Redzone First Team All-State honors. He's primarily a left tackle for Alcoa, but could kick inside to offensive guard at the next level. The rising senior holds six Division I offers, and that number could grow throughout the summer and into the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He offers good size, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 310 pounds in a large frame with long arms and the ability to destroy defensive linemen. Watts is physically dominant with sound technique and powerful hands. While he certainly excels on run plays, he's shown upside as a pass blocker at left tackle and even when he kicks inside. The 2027 prospect must polish areas of his game, but has the potential to be a high performer at the collegiate level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2231557} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/Photo-Jun-19-2026-11-58-19-AM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2231557" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Stone Memorial OL [player_tooltip player_id='1566197' first='Parker' last='Cox'] on his Mercer OV. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1566197' first='Parker' last='Cox'] – Stone Memorial High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1566197' first='Parker' last='Cox'] is arguably the top offensive lineman in Class 4A heading into his senior season. He transferred from Upperman this offseason, but will remain dominant in the trenches with his new squad, which has nice upside. Cox recently committed to Mercer, essentially shutting down his recruitment, allowing him to focus on football in his final season at the high school level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He offers nice size, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 290 pounds with a strong, athletic frame that allows him to maintain his mobility. Cox is an athletic lineman who is terrific at getting out into space. He's quick, has a nice first step, possesses good technique and strong hands that make him a lethal player. The 2027 prospect is good in pass protection, but is at his best when a run play is called.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1896659} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/mpaschall.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1896659" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: South Gibson OL [player_tooltip player_id='866736' first='Max' last='Paschall'] during a game.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 OG [player_tooltip player_id='866736' first='Max' last='Paschall'] – South Gibson High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='866736' first='Max' last='Paschall'] from South Gibson High School is an underrated offensive lineman in his class. He was a standout player last season, earning Prep Redzone All-State honors, but has one final year of high school ball to prove himself to coaches. He does not hold any offers right now, but could see his recruitment pick up throughout the summer and into the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a mammoth of a man, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 345 pounds, with a large frame that is used to dominate his competition. Paschall has a nice first step, plays with a relentless motor, brings a good level of physicality and is a powerful blocker. He must transform his body to become the best possible version of himself, but the 2027 prospect has a few nice tools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/EliTolley/status/1993807635678712032?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EliTolley/status/1993807635678712032?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 IOL [player_tooltip player_id='1643231' first='Eli' last='Tolley'] – Anderson County High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1643231' first='Eli' last='Tolley'] is coming off a standout season for Anderson County, where he was one of the best centers in Tennessee. He did not give up a sack and earned a spot on the Prep Redzone All-State team. The rising senior holds one Division I offer from Eastern Kentucky, but needs more respect on the recruiting side of things and around the state in general.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He offers nice size, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 300 pounds with a large frame and long arms that make him an ideal center at the collegiate level. Tolley snaps the ball well, has a solid first step, strong hands, nice footwork and high football IQ. He needs to improve in certain areas, but the 2027 prospect could make for a good player at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->