Rivals Rankings Week: Storylines to observe with prime 2026 offensive linemen

The Rivals250 for the 2026 class has been up to date and now it’s time to interrupt down every place. We transfer to the offensive line by taking a look at 4 large storylines shifting ahead.

NEW 2026 POSITION RANKINGS: Professional-Fashion QB | Twin-Menace QB | RB | All-Goal RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C

As has been the case for greater than two months, Cantwell not solely resides on prime of the offensive line rankings – in a category seemingly stronger on the prime by the day – however he in fact occupies the highest total spot within the Rivals250 no matter place.

There’s a rising group of quarterbacks, led by Ryder Lyons, proper on the heels of the large sort out from Missouri however Cantwell put in a dominant 2024 marketing campaign on the sector and continues to challenge as maybe the most secure wager in your entire class at this stage of the analysis.

Whether or not it is the sheer domination towards competitors he confirmed at a listed 6-foot-8, 300 kilos, the multi-sport standing or the Olympic pedigree the Cantwell household has constructed, there may be a lot advantage of the doubt on this scouting report. If he can proceed to carry off the highest arms it should outcome within the first top-ranked prospect being projected alongside the offensive line in Rivals historical past.

Offensive linemen dominate the 2026 Rivals250, as per ordinary, with sort out representing the most important portion of blockers to get the nod, with two dozen prospects projected to play the place making the reduce. Two are new to the occasion in Felix Ojo and Adam Guthrie.

A 3-sport standout from the state of Texas, Ojo is without doubt one of the largest risers in your entire class no matter place, making his debut within the rating at No. 76 total. Good for the No. 8 spot amongst OT projections, Ojo’s athleticism and 80-inch wingspan push the ceiling of this analysis that a lot greater. A banner junior season, serving to the provide checklist attain 40 packages, showcased nicely above-average pass-blocking expertise and he nonetheless has appreciable room to fill out and strengthen his head-turning 6-foot-7 body.

Guthrie can be a multi-sport standout, checking in from the state of Ohio, with basketball in his background. It helps him translate as a plus athlete on Friday nights with good bend for his dimension. His recruitment has picked up momentum in comparable vogue because the boosted rating, sitting at No. 194 nationally, as an increasing number of packages covet his improved ability set.

Listed at 6-foot-6 and 292 kilos, 30 packages have already jumped in with a scholarship for Guthrie with a number of SEC elites and in-state energy Ohio State among the many most up-to-date to take action.

Offensive tackles dominate the offensive line dialog, and rightfully so with their premium worth on the subsequent ranges and relative to the NFL Draft, however the elite prospects inside are additionally very robust on the prime of the rankings.

Lamar Brown is without doubt one of the extra fascinating two-way evaluations within the class, however he prefers offense and appears like a stout inside expertise as a guard projection presently. The Louisianan is in five-star vary because the No. 18 total recruit along with sitting because the top-ranked guard at this stage. Texas A&M is considered because the staff to beat towards longtime favourite and in-state energy LSU.

Additional inside, Grant Smart has had a current maintain on the highest middle projection. He’s a Miami legacy with a who’s who checklist of scholarship presents because of dominant Friday night time efforts and simply as interesting runs as a state-level powerlifter. Few faculty snappers have been capable of lean into the projection at such an early stage regardless of working dominant proper and left sort out varsity reps. Smart can be well-traveled, incomes a brand new provide at nearly each faculty camp he hit within the offseason, so this race continues to be removed from over with SEC, ACC and Huge Ten packages pushing.

In any given recruiting cycle, the no-nonsense strategy to the offensive line place can result in early commitments. Touchdown that coveted native provide or figuring out for the dream faculty and getting that inexperienced gentle may also help courses get off to robust begins within the trenches — one thing no one informed the category of 2026 apparently.

Of the greater than 30 offensive sort out, guard and even middle place projections within the contemporary Rivals250, solely two have made verbal commitments as of mid December. Every is headed to a playoff program with four-star Kevin Brown dedicated to Penn State and fellow blue-chipper Kodi Greene off the board to reigning Huge Ten champion Oregon. This novelty will not final into the New Yr, however there are extra prospects dedicated at nearly each different place group within the 2026 cycle to date.