Previewing the 2023 high school football season: David Sanders Jr., Brandon Baker headline top 10 offensive linemen

Douglas Utu, S.J. Alofaituli, Micah DeBose among the non-seniors.

HIGHLIGHTS: David Sanders Jr. | The No. 1 Player in Class of 2025 7,550 views 2:20

MaxPreps continues its position-by-position breakdown of the 2023 high school football season by focusing on the offensive linemen. See previous installments highlighting quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.

David Sanders Jr. of Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.) and Brandon Baker of Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) headline the list. Sanders was a first team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection while Baker was a first team MaxPreps Junior All-America choice last season.

DeAndre Carter joins Baker as one set of teammates on the list. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) pair Douglas Utu and S.J. Alofaituli are the other. Mater Dei and Bishop Gorman begin the 2023 season as the top two ranked teams in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Florida joins California and Nevada as the only other state to have two players featured. Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina all had one selection. Six of the 10 linemen selected are seniors.

1. David Sanders Jr., Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.)

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 255

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2025)

The five-star tackle led the Chargers to their second consecutive NCISAA Division 1 state title. Sanders is the top-rated prospect in his class on 247Sports.

2. Brandon Baker, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 285

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2024)

He's been dominating in the trenches playing against top-notch competition for years. He helped the Monarchs to a 12-1 season in 2022 and the No. 3 spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25.

3. Daniel Calhoun, Walton (Marietta, Ga.)

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 365

Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2024)

The former Centennial (Roswell, Ga.) standout is an absolute nightmare for opposing defensive linemen. He's great in both run and pass blocking.

4. Douglas Utu, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 270

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2025)

Played a huge role in the trenches for the Las Vegas power. He led the Gaels to a 14-1 record and a spot at No. 4 in the final MaxPreps Top 25.

5. DeAndre Carter, Mater Dei

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 340

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2024)

Along with Baker, he gives the top-ranked Monarchs one of the best lines in the country. He has been a standout offensive lineman since his freshman year.

6. S.J. Alofaituli, Bishop Gorman

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 250

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2025)

Dominated for one of the best teams in the nation last season. Played against the best competition and was a first team selection on the MaxPreps Sophomore All-America team.

7. Micah DeBose, Vigor (Prichard, Ala.)

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315

Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Junior (2025)

Was a second team selection on the MaxPreps Sophomore All-America squad. The future Bulldog checks all the boxes.

8. Jordan Seaton, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 290

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2024)

Had a standout junior campaign at St. John's (Washington, D.C.) for the WCAC champs. Will play a huge role in the trenches for the fourth-ranked Ascenders.

9. Josiah Thompson, Dillon (S.C.)

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 280

Status: Committed to South Carolina | Class: Senior (2024)

Selected as the best player in South Carolina heading into the 2023 season. The four-star prospect checks in as the second-rated offensive tackle in the Class of 2024 according to 247Sports.

10. Jason Zandamela, Clearwater Academy International (Clearwater, Fla.)

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 285

Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2024)

Has as much upside as any player in his class. Started playing football as a sophomore after moving to the United States in 2020. Zandamela is the second-rated interior lineman on 247Sports.