Top offensive linemen in the Class of 2014

Deep on quarterbacks and comparatively lighter on offensive linemen, the Class of 2013 seems to be the inverse of the Class of 2012.

When it comes to the Class of 2014, however, an array of top linemen have already emerged before their junior seasons, suggesting that it could be a strong crop of big men.

Unlike the Class of 2012, which saw an inordinate number of elite linemen out West (Zach Banner, Josh Garnett, Andrus Peat, et al), the Midwest is home to many of the top young linemen who have emerged so far for 2014.

MaxPreps looks at a dozen top offensive line recruits who will likely become household names these next two years.



K.C. McDermott, 6-5, 280, Palm Beach Central (Wellington, Fla.)
A two-year starter, McDermott has opened eyes around Palm Beach County, and more recently, the state and country. He has great football bloodlines and his head coach, Rod Harris, raves about him. McDermott is hearing from schools across the country, and told MaxPreps that he expects to visit both Miami and South Florida this spring.

Andrew Brown, 6-5, 290, Indian River (Chesapeake, Va.)
When asked how his recruitment was going, the 6-foot-5, 290-pound Brown, one of the best young players in the Tidewater area, replied, "It's going great." And why wouldn't it be? He's already been offered by several ACC schools despite an injury-riddled sophomore season in which he still earned all-area honors.

{PAGEBREAK} Jimmy Byrne, 6-4, 275, St. Ignatius (Cleveland)
Another highly productive sophomore, Byrne started down the stretch of St. Ignatius' playoff drive that culminated in a Division I title. His first offer came in January, when Urban Meyer and Ohio State pulled the trigger. He told MaxPreps that it remains his only offer to date. Given how well Meyer has recruited Ohio already, it'd be surprising to see Byrne land anywhere other than Columbus.

Orlando Brown, 6-8, 380, Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Ga.)
Amazingly, Brown makes Akeem Cooperwood look small. The 6-8, 380-pound monster arrived at Peachtree Ridge last month, a transfer from DeMatha, the same high school that produced blue-chip tackle Cyrus Kouandjio. He's hearing from a Who's Who of elite schools. Amazingly, Peachtree Ridge coach Mark Fleetwood told MaxPreps that he thinks Brown is agile enough to play at 380.

"He doesn't look fat right now," he told MaxPreps. "He looks in pretty darn good shape for that size."

{PAGEBREAK} Andy Bauer, 6-5, 260, DeSmet Jesuit (St. Louis)
Bauer was an all-area selection and also earned a spot on the U.S. Air Force All-American Team. He already has six offers, including Arkansas, Mizzou, Auburn and Boston College. Interestingly, Bauer told MaxPreps that Miami has also offered, with offensive line coach Art Kehoe leading the charge. Given that it already has several top linemen within its crosshairs, if it lands one or two of its targets, it could be a major haul at the position.

Ross Pierschbacher, 6-4, 240, Cedar Falls (Iowa)
Likely the top recruit from Iowa in the Class of 2014, Pierschbacher is going on his third season of varsity experience. His performance thus far has earned him an offer from the in-state Hawkeyes, and it's likely the first of many. He told MaxPreps he's been playing basketball this winter to help keep in shape for football.



{PAGEBREAK} Braden Smith, 6-6, 260, South (Olathe, Kan.)
Smith enjoyed a superb sophomore campaign, leading Olathe South to a Class 6A state title and starring on both sides of the ball. Unusually agile and with uncanny strength, Smith is still growing into his body. His ceiling is exceptionally high. According to Smith's father, he attended Oklahoma's Junior Day, and the Sooners are showing a lot of interest. Missouri, Nebraska and UCLA are also in the mix. Additionally, Smith will likely take an unofficial visit this month to TCU.

Corey Martinez, 6-4, 305, Tampa Catholic (Fla.)
Martinez has been on the national radar since his freshman season, in which he was named a U.S. Air Force All-American. According to his father, he's been offered by USF and is being actively recruited by the likes of Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami and Mississippi State. Fellow Tampa area lineman Mason Cole from East Lake is another to watch and could prove just as talented. He owns an offer from Florida State.

{PAGEBREAK} Shane Evans, 6-4, 250, Prairie Ridge (Crystal Lake, Ill.)
Among the top 2014 recruits in Illinois, Evans helped lead Prairie Ridge to a fine season in which the Class 6A school brought home a state title. According to Evans' father, Arkansas was one of the first teams to pursue Evans, who is now also hearing from Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, UCLA, Oregon, Miami and Michigan State - and likely others.

Akeem Cooperwood, 6-7, 327, Fulton (Knoxville, Tenn.)
The massive Cooperwood is well-known among Vols fans, who hope that the Knoxville product will stay home. More than just a big body, Cooperwood came into his own as a sophomore and should be utterly dominant as a senior. Though the Vols should be considered the favorite to eventually land Cooperwood, sources told MaxPreps that they have yet to offer.
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{PAGEBREAK} Damian Prince, 6-7, 300, Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.)
Prince probably boasts more offers than any other recruit, with about a dozen verbal offers to his name, including Florida State, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina and North Carolina State. He told MaxPreps that he has an unofficial visit scheduled to North Carolina on April 14 and also hopes to visit Virginia soon. Prince has expressed an interest to leave home for school, and hopes to take some trips to farther destinations later in the spring.

Donnell Stanley, 6-4, 275, Latta (S.C.)
In what appears to be a talented lot of linemen, Stanley could prove to be the best of the bunch. According to head coach Kelly Williamson, the 16-year-old Stanley, who wears a size 22 shoe, is the school's best football, basketball and baseball player. Boasting offers from Clemson, Virginia Tech, Georgia and others, Stanley should play on Sundays, barring injury.