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 4 massive storylines shifting ahead.
NEW 2026 POSITION RANKINGS: Professional-Model QB | Twin-Risk QB | RB | All-Function RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C
JACKSON CANTWELL IS STILL AT THE TOP
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 after all 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 massive deal with from Missouri however Cantwell put in a dominant 2024 marketing campaign on the sphere and continues to mission as maybe the most secure wager in your entire class at this stage of the analysis.
Whether or not it is the sheer domination in opposition to 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 is going to outcome within the first top-ranked prospect being projected alongside the offensive line in Rivals historical past.
OJO, GUTHRIE RISE UP THE RANKS
Offensive linemen dominate the 2026 Rivals250, as per standard, with deal with representing the biggest portion of blockers to get the nod, with two dozen prospects projected to play the place making the lower. 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 record attain 40 applications, showcased properly 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 also 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 related style because the boosted rating, sitting at No. 194 nationally, as increasingly applications covet his improved ability set.
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 292 kilos, 30 applications 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.
BROWN, WISE WILL BE TOUGH TO BEAT INSIDE
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 sturdy 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 crew to beat in opposition to longtime favourite and in-state energy LSU.
Additional inside, Grant Sensible has had a current maintain on the highest heart projection. He’s a Miami legacy with a who’s who record of scholarship gives because of dominant Friday evening efforts and simply as interesting runs as a state-level powerlifter. Few school snappers have been in a position to lean into the projection at such an early stage regardless of working dominant proper and left deal with varsity reps. Sensible can also be well-traveled, incomes a brand new provide at nearly each school camp he hit within the offseason, so this race continues to be removed from over with SEC, ACC and Large Ten applications pushing.
PATIENT BIG BODIES
In any given recruiting cycle, the no-nonsense method 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 help courses get off to sturdy begins within the trenches — one thing no person instructed the category of 2026 apparently.
Of the greater than 30 offensive deal with, guard and even heart 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 Large 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 up to now.