Power, power, power. That is the name of the game for senior center Cael Gago Cael Gago 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL/DL Rice Lake | 2026 State WI of Rice Lake. The big man dominates at the point of attack. His upper body and heavy hands throw IDL around. The lower body strength is equally overwhelming and allows him to nearly run IDL off the line of scrimmage before burying them in the dirt. The 300 lbs senior moves so well for his size too, whether it is getting up to the second level or positioning on level one, or even recovering while engaged to a defender if he is out of position. The senior is the best uncommitted OL in WI.

It was great to see Cael in live action again. He shined during the summer at padded camps with the immense power he brings that matches his 300 lbs frame. The OC showed off quick feet to be able to get to his man and also position himself to wall off his opponent. When he locked those heavy hands onto his man he was able to show off that lower body strength and bulldoze DL out of lanes. It was also great to see him take a ton of reps at IDL, showing that same power and also showing impressive conditioning to be able to control the line on both sides of the ball. This was the best OL in a game that revolved around the trench battles.

One of the first athletes to grab my attention was Rice Lake center Cael Gago Cael Gago 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL/DL Rice Lake | 2026 State WI . The soon to be senior checked in right around 6’4″ 309 lbs with a nearly 6’7″ wingspan. The ’26 IOL had a strong case for best frame/build at the event, and once the pads were strapped on Cael quickly made a case for best OL overall. Cael showed off power and athleticism throughout the night. In run blocking the ’26 looked right at home bursting out of his stance, getting good hand position and leverage then quickly overpowering his opponent with his powerful lower body. That powerful lower body gave the DL fits in pass pro as well. The big man could quickly set his anchor, absorb the initial rush, and then show off the feet to be able to slide laterally as he reacts to pass rush moves. The big man had such a good night, proving he is one of the state’s best ’26 OL.

Cael is an IOL who spent 2024 playing center for Rice Lake. A team that made it to state with their overwhelming run game. Spearheading the blocking up front was Cael. The 6’4″ 300 lbs athlete fits the position really well. He gets off clean exchanges with the QB and doesn’t let that hinder any of his blocking. The junior flashes quick hands that are strong once he locks onto his man. Cael does a great job with his run blocking. He pairs those heavy hands with a leg drive that has been able to bulldoze every opponent he faces off the line of scrimmage. Watching his highlights I kept thinking the same two things. Athletic. Violent. Two things that any OL coach would love to have loaded into a 6’4″ 300 lbs recruit.

I am a big fan of Cael and his talent/future potential. The 6’4″ 285 lbs junior plays center for the Warriors and definitely has a future on the IOL at the next level. Cael’s combination of athleticism, agility, and power are that of a college commit already. He is explosive out of his stance, has accurate hand placement and is violent on contact. Gago clearly is looking to maul his opponent on every snap in the Rice Lake rushing attack. While overpowering his opponent the junior also has the talent to be able to adjust his path laterally with his balance and body control and we saw him make some nice recovery plays to be able to stay on his man during plays. I’m very excited for his future.

The defending State Champs came out and picked up where they left off in 2023 with their overpowering run game. Spearheading the attack in junior OC Cael Gago Cael Gago 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL/DL Rice Lake | 2026 State WI . The 6’4″ 285 lbs force had a nose guard to deal with on a good amount of reps last Thursday. The big man did a great job of getting off a good snap and flashing quick hands to instantly engage and get good hand positioning. At the same time he also showed the agile feet to get his body in position to wall off the DL and open up the alley for his FB to attack. When he wasn’t covered, Cael either did a great job double teaming level one and creating a big push or attacking level two and moving LBs out of the way. Cael is looking better than ever and proving to be one of the top recruits in northern WI in the Class of 2026.

I’m very excited for Cael to start grabbing attention at camps this summer and with his film this fall. In 2023 the 6’4″ 280 lbs lineman was voted Most Improved Player on a State Championship team. The sophomore center tape is impressive to watch. Cael has excellent quickness, burst, and range out of his stance. He instantly gets on his man before they can make a move to avoid him. Once he gets hands on he clamps on and runs them off the line with excellent power. Cael also plays with the tenacity and violence to dominate the trenches to go along with the athleticism that he has. It is a very intriguing blend that will translate to the next level. With two years ahead of him to develop you can expect to see him make big strides. Get on this kid early.