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April has arrived, meaning we’re four short months away from the 2024 high school football kicking off. That means it’s a perfect time for some preview action to prepare you for the upcoming season.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll have pieces twice a week highlighting certain position groups and the top area players in those groups to keep an eye on in the new season.
We’ve released the four position groups so far. Now it’s time to highlight the area’s top offensive linemen.
As stats for linemen aren’t the easiest to come by, a majority of this list was compiled by nominations from coaches from the last few weeks as well as all-area nominations from last seasons. Here are 35 returning Nashville area offensive linemen you need to keep an eye on during the 2024 season:
TOP RETURNERS PER POSITION: QB / RB / WR / DB
Alex Katawala, Centennial: On the Cougars’ high-powered offense last season, Katawala graded out at 94% with 11 pancakes while only allowing three sacks.
Austin Johnson, Page: Johnson was a key component of the Patriots’ punishing ground game earning all-region honors.
Brady Smith, CPA: John Wayne Oliver may have gotten all the headlines last season but Smith was right up there with him leading the Lions’ line. He was a 615 Preps Medium Class first-team offensive line selection following their state title run.
Brody Frye, Macon County: Against one of the tougher schedules in Class 4A, Frye graded out at 80% or better weekly for the Tigers. He averaged five pancakes a game and didn’t give up a sack all season.
Cason Goostree, East Robertson: Goostree did a lot for the Indians defensively but he was also one of their top offensive linemen last season earning all-region and all-county honors.
Chauncey Gooden, Lipscomb Academy: Gooden was our large class offensive lineman of the year, and for good reason. He holds offers from nearly every major Power Five program in the country after racking up 55 pancakes as a junior.
Cheyenne Harris, Stratford: It’ll be a welcome return for Harris in 2024. He started for the Spartans as an eighth grader but missed last season due to a wrist injury in the season-opener.
Dallas Wofford, Clarksville Academy: Wofford’s one of the top returning linemen in Clarksville. He earned Division II-A Middle Region 2nd team honors in 2023.
Ethan Harris, Green Hill: Hill is one of the Hawks’ most experienced returning linemen earning all-region honors last season.
Kaden Mowl, Oakland: Sure the Patriots lose several key starters from last year’s line, but they seem to always reload there. This year that includes the 6-foot-7, 330-pound Mowl.
Keilan Neal, FRA: On a team full of senior standouts, Neal was a standout as a freshman. Last season he earned Division II-AA first-team all-region honors.
Kyle Bryant, Whites Creek: Bryant is one of the Cobras’ most-experienced offensive linemen and will be viewed as a team leader this season. He earned All-City and All-Region honors last season.
Jacob Mahoney, White House Heritage: When you are your team’s highest-graded offensive lineman as a sophomore, that’s a good sign for the future. Mahoney was that for the Patriots last season earning all-region and All-Robertson County honors.
Jacob Rathbone, Page: Rathbone may be the state’s top offensive lineman by the time his senior year rolls around. He enters his junior season after being named the 2023 region lineman of the year, all-state honors, and picking up multiple Division I offers along the way.
Jayden Jackson, East Nashville: Jackson was a massive piece on the Eagles’ offensive line last season earning All-City honors.
Jon Adair, Lipscomb Academy: Gooden may be the star on the Mustangs’ line but he has another future Division I player playing alongside him in Adair. The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder committed to Virginia on December 15.
Jordan Curll, Centennial: The offensive line won’t be a weakness for the Cougars with Curll and Katawala back. Curll graded out at 92% last season with 13 pancakes and only four sacks allowed.
Joshua Mealio, Harpeth: Mealio recorded a staggering 42 pancake blocks last season as a sophomore for the Indians.
Kaden Buchanan, Friendship Christian: Buchanan may only be a freshman now but it’s hard not to get excited about his future now. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 323 pounds, he already holds an offer from Memphis.
Kamari Blair, Kirkwood: Blair’s going to see his recruitment skyrocket if he continues to improve upon what he did as a sophomore. Grading out at 85% with 16 pancakes, he started all 10 games for the Cobras and has earned an offer from Kentucky.
Kyle Larkin, Ravenwood: Larkin played a pivotal role on the line for the Raptors in 2023 helping them average nearly 200 yards per game on the ground. He’s recently picked up multiple Division I offers including Army, Navy, and MTSU.
Lucas Piekielko, Rossview: Piekielko was thrown into action the first game of his sophomore year and never looked back. That experience should help greatly this season.
Markel Hamm, Hillsboro: Standing in at 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, Hamm’s one of the best returning Metro Nashville linemen in 2024. He earned all-city honors last season.
Matthew Barrett, Beech: You could choose anyone from the Bucs’ offensive line as a top returner as that unit was stout all season. We’re going with the center in Barrett who should be in for a big season.
Matthew Rice, Siegel: Rice is a returning standout for the Stars and will lead their offensive line earning All-Region honors last season.
Quincey Morton, Gallatin: The Green Wave had a prolific offense last season and should have one again if their offensive linemen give Jackson Stroup time to work. Morton will make sure of that as one of their top returners who earned All-Region and All-Sumner County honors.
Raeshawn Boyce, East Nashville: Boyce was a standout on the line for the Eagles in their run back to the Class 3A championship earning All-Region, All-Metro, and All-City honors.
Sam Gravely, Mt. Juliet: Gravely isn’t the biggest guy on the field night-in-and-night-out, but he’s one of the smartest and one of the Golden Bears’ best returners on both sides of the ball.
Sam Spicer, Pope Prep: Rushing the ball was a major strength for the Knights last season and they ran behind Spicer frequently. The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder holds offers from Air Force, Navy, and Western Kentucky.
Sam Roston, Brentwood: The offensive line was a big reason by Brentwood went undefeated in the regular season and made a run to the Class 6A semifinals last year. Roston is the Bruins’ top player returning from that group and was an all-region selection.
Syler Green, Independence: There are several great returning linemen in Region 6-6A, and Green’s among that group. Holding an offer from Eastern Kentucky, he earned an honorable mention for all-region honors.
Ta’khyian Whitset, Antioch: Whitset’s a rising star in the Metro Nashville football season as the top lineman in the Bears’ potent offense. He also has multiple Division I offers.
Taylor Spain, Hendersonville: Spain may be slightly undersized at 6-foot-0, 240 pounds, but he’s as effective as any lineman and mans the Commandos offense from his center spot.
Titus Campbell, Liberty Creek: Campbell earned 5-3A All-Region honors last season. The last two years he’s been the right tackle for back-to-back 1,000-yard rushers.
Tommy Hill, Gordonsville: The Tigers offensive line was one of its strengths in 2023 with Hill playing a pivotal part in that. As a sophomore, he didn’t allow a sack.
Will Mabry, Rockvale: Mabry’s a three-year starter for the Rockers earning all-region honors last season. He only allowed three sacks in 11 games.
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