The great thing about high school football is that you don't have to have the professional size in order to be a standout player. No other position embodies this like the offensive line. Tall guys, short guys, big guys, muscle guys, round guys, all types are welcome and accepted up front.
At 6' 280 pounds, Johnny Perez was an absolute stud in the middle of the offensive line for Gilmer in 2014 and 2015. The 2 time First Team All-State selection at guard helped lead the way to a Buckeye State Championship in 2014. 2 years, 2 First Team All-States.
Tee Kellum is a dog. A 3 year starter who has been up and down the offensive line throughout his career. Kellum has 2 First Team All-East Texas slates throughout his career. His first came as the Right Guard in 2019. He graded out 94% and had 48 knockdowns. As a senior, Kellum moved to left tackle and continued his dominance. He graded out at 95% with 48 knockdowns. Throughout his 46 career starts, he went 45-1.
As a junior, the 6'3 260 pound guard was named 3rd Team All East Texas after an impressive varsity debut. As a senior Jenkins made 1st Team All East Texas after grading out at 92% and 55 pancake blocks.
A 3 year starter, a state champion who was thrust into action his sophomore year when Kaylon Allen went down with an ankle injury. Cox battled that year helping lead Longview all the way to the 5th round. His junior year he started all 16 games en route to the State Championship. Parker performed brilliantly at times, an effort that led to an incredible honor of first team All-State.
A 3 year starter and holder of the school record, 47 starts in a row, and the best offensive lineman in 2010, a team that played 15 games. Sophomore season was nothing special, but at 5'8 215 pounds, was part of a special unit that led way for Tyler McCray to tie the then record 27 touchdowns. As a junior, at 230 pounds a part of a unit that went back to the state championship game. Unanimous All-dstrict selection as a senior, at 225 pounds recorded 147 knockdown blocks, 88% blocking grade, one sack allowed.
An absolute dog. A fullback body, with hand time 4.7 speed, Tevin had the athleticism of a linebacker. He had real lower body strength and created surges off the offensive line playing next to Bryce Redman. At 5'8 205-215 pounds Tevin did some remarkable things at that size. Ratcliff was an honorable mention all-state left tackle his senior year, and started 30 games for the Lobos.
At 6'3 265, McGee wasn't the biggest prospect to come through, but the guy could flat out fly on the football field. His ability to get to the second level and destroy those opponents caught the eyes of the nation, and McGee signed with the University of Oklahoma. McGee didn't play for OU, but the mauler was a natural and one of the best lineman from East Texas.
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At 6'6 380 pounds, Tim Clay was larger than life. Whenever his mitts were on you there was nothing you could do about it. He struggled early as a sophomore and junior, but in 2015 Clay figured it all out. He had amazing feet for a man his size and finished his senior year first team all-district. With that size . He signed with Kilgore College out of high school.
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A two way star for the Eagles, Thompson helped lead the team to a state title in 2005. That year he was also named first team all East Texas at guard. Thompson showed up to Houston as a defensive lineman, and after 3 years, he made the switch back to left guard. Thompson performed pretty good that year, leading to an invitation to the NFL Combine, where he would eventually make it to camp with the Buffalo Bills.
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A 3 year starter for Mineola, Austin was the bell cow of the Anderson twins that dominated the district. As a junior and senior, Anderson was selected First Team All State. As a senior, Anderson was elected as Co-District MVP, as an OFFENSIVE LINEMAN alongside his brother. Anderson chose Texas A&M and saw time early his freshman year, but after not playing in 2017, Austin was forced to retire due to injury.
Considered the lesser of the twins, Riley was a 3 star coming out of Mineola. He was an honorable mention All-State his junior year and 2nd Team his senior. He was named Co-District MVP, as an OFFENSIVE LINEMAN alongside his brother. Riley redshirted his true freshman year, in 2017 he didn't play, and saw play time in 2018.
A 3 year starter for the Wildcats, Carpenter was a mainstay on the offensive line. He started all 3 years of his career at right tackle, making all-district teams along the way. In 2008, he helped lead the Wildcats to a State Championship, while in 2009 he was named honorable mention all state. He arrived at Tech at 6'6 270 pounds, so he redshirted. For his 3 year career, Carpenter made 17 starts for the Red Raiders at right and left guard.
Jones was First Team All-East Texas and was an All-District guard and defensive tackle. As a senior he graded out at 88% and had 23 knockdowns. Now those numbers don't seem impressive, but Jones did all of this while starting as a defensive tackle. He was District Newcomer of the year as a sophomore, and had 95 tackles his junior year. While with the Cougars, Jones was a starter since his freshman year. Jones was an all conference caliber player and even got a chance with the Dallas Cowboys after his Houston career.
A 3 year letterman, 2 year starter for John King at Longview, Broderick Washington was an athletic blindside protector. Currently Washington is a defensive tackle for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, but at Longview he was a 2 time all district player. His senior he garnered honorable mention All-State honors when he finished the year with a 95% grade with 55 pancaked and 60 knockdown blocks.
At 6'2 220, Taylor was a workhorse at Right Tackle for the Panthers. Taylor had an incredible punch and was a technician. He moved his feet well, and at 220 his athleticism was a A+ for an offensive lineman. Taylor went on to become an all-conference caliber player at Mary Hardin Baylor.
At 6'2 280, Johnson was viewed as a defensive tackle and offensive guard by 247sports and Rivals. Johnson, a 2 year letterman started in 2004 and helped John Tyler in 2005 go 8-3. He was voted First Team All-State and All-District his senior year at center. Johnson enrolled at Baylor, but I'm unsure
what happened to his career after he enrolled.
From the valley of the hall, Cochran towered over high school defenders. At 6'7 270 Cochran was a 4 star coming out of school. He was a prep All-American, First Team All State, and First Team All East Texas. Cochran appeared in 31 games at Texas, making 23 starts, and was named Freshman All American in 2011. His career ended too soon with a shoulder tear, causing him to miss his senior year. He is now a coach on the Texas Tech Red Raiders staff.
Watkins was a 2014 first team All East Texas first team selection. That year Watkins graded out at 98% with 142 knockdowns and 47 pancakes. He allowed 0 sacks, and was a guy that could create movement from the snap. At 6' 260, Watkins was a guy that lined up and got it done.
Jykeelin Frazier is a two time member of my top 100, finishing 90th as a junior and 41st as a senior. A two way star in Daingerfield, Frazier was a run stopper, and run game mauler for the Tigers. At 6 ft, 290, Frazier had great lateral quickness, and was mean enough to bury you into the ground. Frazier was a baller.
Drummond was a 3 year starter, 3 year first team all-district, offensive tackle for Chapel Hill, making 3 straight trips to the 5th round, and one to the state championship. At 6'4, Drummond had great length to protect the passer. He gained weight as his career developed, going from 245 pounds to 275 pounds as a senior. Drummond was a two time member of my top 100, finishing 74th as a junior and 32nd as a senior, and signed with UNLV. He spent 2024 redshirting.
A 2 time first team all district player who lined up in all slots on the offensive line throughout his career. Barron was best at guard, where he could generate movement from the snap of the ball. Barron was a standout in pass protection as well, and signed with San Diego State. As a senior, Barron finished 35th on the list. Barron redshirted in 2023, and spent time as a backup in 2024. He'll be looking to crack the line up in 2025.
Michael Huey was a prep All-American, first Team All-State and first Team All East Texas player as a 2 year starter for the Kilgore Bulldogs. As a senior he was district Lineman of the Year after an 86 knockdown, 0 sacks allowed performance. Huey went on to Texas where he participated in 47 games and started 20. He was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2009.
Sheppard started his career off at LHS as a tight end before moving to center his junior year. Turns out he made Coach King and Coach Collins look like geniuses. His junior year he exploded on the scene as an All-state selection and first team All District honors. His senior year he repeated the same, this time First Team All State to go along with First team All East Texas. He left Longview and went to Kilgore JC before becoming the Lone Star Conference Offensive Lineman of the year at Commerce in 2007.
McCuloch was a dude for Texas High in 2021. He was a nasty guard, with great size and athleticism. He could get to the second level with relative ease, and had the strength to knock defensive lineman backwards. McCulloch was a 2 time first team all district player for the Tigers and made my top 100 list in 2021, coming in at 30.
At 6'7 330 lbs. McDaniel might've been the hugest person to ever walk in Diana, TX. McDaniel, a 3 star prospect, finished his senior year 2nd Team All-State and 1st Team All-District offensive and defensive tackle. While at Tech, McDaniel made a career total of 29 starts, finishing his career with 25 straight starts. McDaniel never reached conference level, but was a mainstay for the Red Raiders during his tenure.
Braydon Nelson was a monster for Kilgore from 2021-23. At right tackle, Nelson was a part of an aggressive offensive rushing attack, that relied on Nelson to move bodies out of the way. Nelson had great feet. His hands are mitts, and he doesn't miss when he strikes. Nelson finished 31 on my Top 100 List in 2023. He signed with North Texas in the spring of 2024, and started 12 games at LT and RG for the Mean Green.
Bryce Redman started his sophomore season at Longview making him a 46 career game starter. That's good enough for second in school history behind me. That's the only thing I've got on him. Redman was a First Team All East Texas selection both his junior and senior years. His junior he was second team All-State, while his senior year he finished first team. He went on to have a great career at Houston, starting 39 games at center for Houston while also playing in all 14 games as a Jumbo packaged tight end.
Joshua Blackwell will leave a defensive lineman flattened out. As a junior he was a first team all district selection, and I graded him out as a 89. As a senior, Blackwell was exceptional, finishing 26th on my top 100 list. At 6'2 305 pounds Blackwell has elite quickness, and when he drives people off the ball he gets instant movement. He signed with Southern Arkansas this spring.
Back in the days of the Bulldogs hollering they could beat Longview, there was a mainstay at center for them. Lon Roberts was a 3 time First Team All-District selection for the Bulldogs. During his 43 game starting career, he went 40-3 also capturing a state title along the way. He was first team All East Texas his senior year. That consistency and play time followed him to college. After redshirting, Roberts started 38 games in a row for La. Tech before graduating and forgoing his senior year to start his coaching career.
At 6'3 335, Hines was a monster on the high school level. He started his career off making the All-District team as a sophomore, before becoming a 2 time All-East Texas guard his junior and senior seasons. Hines was ranked the #1 guard in the country before deciding to play defense on the next level. That was short lived, because after an injury riddled season for the Tigers, Hines played in 8 games this past season at guard. It'll be interesting watching Hines over the next 3 years in Baton Rouge.
Kash Courtney's career at Carthage is quite similar to the guy who comes in front of him. 3 years of dominance. From his sophomore year, you could tell Courtney was on his way to being special. Although light, you could see the frame and the promise he had on the offensive line. A tough competitor, Kash came in at 75 on my top 100 as a sophomore, as he helped the Bulldogs win their 9th state title in 2022. As a junior, Kash had another strong year, garnering first team All-East Texas. As a senior, Kash helped the Bulldogs raise that trophy a 10th time. He was a standout again, this year finishing 7th on my Top 100 List. Courtney signed with Arkansas in December and is approaching his freshman season.
Only time will tell how long it takes for Poe to reach towards the top of this list, but for now he sits here in the top 10. At 6'5 280 pounds, Poe was a dominant lineman for 3 years at Lindale. He crashed my top 100 list all 3 years at 42, 18 and 7 in his soph-sr years. His long arms and quick feet allowed him to excel in pass blocking. His great lean and leverage allowed him to pulverize opponents in the run game. Poe went on to Alabama after high school and redshirted his first season.
At 6'4 290, Lonnie Edwards was a monster out of Brownsboro. The number 32 player in Texas for the class of '07, Edwards was a mauler for Brownsboro and their run game. As a junior he was named 2nd team all state and as a senior he was first team all state. That senior year he had 75 pancake blocks. He went on to Texas Tech, where he started 35 games, including a 33 game streak to finish his career.
Ciron Black is a huge, huge man. That was obvious from the jump in Tyler. On top of being huge, he was good at football. As both a junior and senior, Black was named First Team All-District and All-East Texas in 2003 and 2004. His senior year he was 5A First Team All-State averaging over 4 pancake blocks per game. When he arrived to LSU he redshirted, but started every year afterwards. Throughout his career, Black started 53 straight games, leading his way to a bevy of college awards.
He was 3rd Team Freshman All-American and all Freshman SEC. In 2007 and 2008 he was second-team All SEC, before becoming first team All SEC in 2009, wining SEC's Top lineman award, and was a 2nd Team All-American. Brown made it to camp as an undrafted free agent, but his NFL career never took off.
After 3 seasons of defense at Spring Hill which include Defensive MVP honors, Carter made the move to offense. That move turned out to be a pretty good one for him as he was First Team All State his senior season. He redshirted when he arrived to Tech, and became a full time starter his sophomore season. He was honorable mention All Big 12 that season before exploding his junior year. That season he was considered First Team All-American and was apart of one of the best offenses in all of college football. His senior year he was dismissed from the program, and as of lately, Carter has been a professional wrestler.
David Snow was a 4 year starter for the Gilmer Buckeyes and Jeff Traylor. He was named to the all-district team 4 times, while being named All-American, All-State and All-East Texas his senior year. During his career Gilmer went 50-4 including the 2004 State Championship. At Texas, Snow appeared in all 52 games in his career while notching 32 career starts at center and right and left guard. He was named All-Big 12 for his performance his senior year and honorable mention as a junior.
During his run at JT, Blaylock was a 2 time First Team All-East Texas selection and a 3rd and 1st Team All-State selection his junior and senior years. Through his 3 seasons as a starter Blaylock totaled 170 pancake blocks and only gave up 1 sack through his career. He arrived at Tulsa and was the backup center, playing in 8 games his sophomore year. He appeared in 8 games with one starter his sophomore year before electing to transfer to Baylor. He was an honorable mention all Big-12 performer that year, before sliding to right guard for his senior year.
McCoy, an All East Texas selection, started three years for Todd Quick in Lufkin and was a dominant player. His junior year he was first team All-District as well as his senior year where graded out at 95% making 27 pancake blocks and 34 knockdown blocks. His senior year he was second team All-State before heading to A&M. His freshman year McCoy started all 13 games for the aGgies earning Freshman All-SEC team status. His sophomore year he started 11 games at center and 2 games at guard. His junior he was elected a captain, starting in all 12 Aggie games, earning the Offensive MVP Award and helping his self get selected in the 2019 NFL Draft to the New Orleans Saints in the second round pick 16.
He would've been number one considering high school stats alone. He was a 44 game starter for Carthage, 3 time First Team All-District, 2 Time All-East Texas, and 2 Time First Team All-State, while gaining the honors of Offensive Newcomer of the Year his sophomore year, and District Offensive MVP in 2009, all while playing offensive line. He signed to play at Northwestern State, but after a redshirt year in 2010, there's no data on Henderson's career post-Carthage.
Considered the Top OL prospect in the country, Ben Wilkerson dominated his prep days to being named All-American. Wilkerson won the starting center position at LSU as a freshman and started for 4 years with the Tigers. He was 2nd Team Freshman All-American his freshman year, 2nd Team All-American and won the Rimington and was first team All-American in 2004. He helped lead the Tigers to a National Championship under Nick Saban in 2003. Wilkerson went undrafted and bounced around camps before turning it into a coaching career. He’s currently the assistant oline coach for the New York Giants.
As a junior, Trent was a 2nd Team All-District tackle his junior season. The Lobos went 12-1 that year, losing to Lufkin at SFA. That improved his senior year as he was 1st Team All-District, All-East Texas and 2nd Team 5A All-State his senior year. In 2005, Longview lost to South Garland in the first round.
Trent went on to Oklahoma and balled like no other. At Oklahoma, in 2006 he was named a Freshman All-American after starting the last 6 games of the season. His sophomore year he spent time in and out of the starting line up, starting 6 games at right tackle. His junior Trent was First Team All Big 12 by the coaches after starting all 13 games and had a season-high 18 knockdowns in the National Championship against Florida. That year he finished with 131 knockdowns. Trent returned for his senior and was a First-Team All American and started 11/12 games missing one to injury.
Trent was drafted 4th overall by the Washington Redskins and has played for them and the San Francisco 49ers. He's a 4x All-Pro and one of the greatest tackles in Football history.
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