Vote: Who is the top offensive lineman in Michigan high school football?
Vote: Who is the top quarterback in Michigan high school football?
Vote: Who is the top running back in Michigan high school football?
Vote: Who is the top pass catcher in Michigan high school football?
Let’s take a closer look at some of the top returning offensive lineman in high school football for the 2023 season in Michigan.
Plenty of worthy names are on this list, so be sure to read through the nominees and vote in our poll for who you think will be the top offensive lineman for the upcoming season.
Voting will close on August 27 at 11:59 p.m.
Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player who may not be mentioned in our poll.
If you are a coach and you'd like to add a nominee before the poll closes, please email butler@scorebooklive.com.
Andrew Dennis, senior, Mt. Pleasant
Dennis was the lone junior to make the Division III all-state first team last season. A 4-star Michigan State commit, Dennis is the state’s No. 4 overall recruit in the class of 2024, according to 247Sports.
He’s also ranked as the ninth best interior offensive lineman in the nation in 2023. In 2022, Dennis helped guide the Oilers to a 9-2 season and their offense to an average of 38 points per game.
Avery Gach, junior, Wylie E. Groves
Gach is the state’s No. 2 player in 2025, behind only Belleville’s Bryce Underwood. A 4-star offensive tackle, Gach stands at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds.
Thus far, he’s ranked as the nation’s No. 12 tackle in his class. Gach has a slew of Division I offers, and is high on both Michigan and Michigan State, according to 247Sports.
Ryan Ross, senior, De La Salle Collegiate
Ross plays guard for coach Dan Rohn’s program and has become both a leader and captain, according to the coach, throughout his three-year career.
This season will be Ross’ fourth year as a starter along the offensive line. Rohn cited his “great feet and explosive power.” The rising-senior has numerous offers from Division II and smaller Division I colleges.
Photo by Mario Nowak
Aiden Pastoriza, senior, Lumen Christi
Pastoriza is a 3-star athlete out of Jackson, Michigan, and the 36th overall player in the state, according to 247Sports. At 6-foot-7, 255 pounds, Pastoriza has prototypical size for a collegiate tackle.
The all-league and region player has committed to Central Michigan.
Jacob Kropchak, senior, Stoney Creek
Kropchak, a 6-foot-5, 275-pounder was one of just two juniors to be named to the Division I all-state first team offense.
The lineman held offers from schools such as Louisville, Central Michigan, Bowling Green and Marshall, but ultimately committed to Toledo ahead of his final season.
Jaylen Washington, senior, Cass Tech
Washington joined Kropchak on the Division I all-state first team offense.
The Cass Tech center/guard has bulked up to 285 pounds at 6-foot-3, and after a wildly impressive junior campaign with the Technicians, has seen a recruiting uptick.
Gabe VanSickle, senior, Coopersville
Vansickle is the state’s No. 16 recruit in the class of 2024. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound, interior lineman committed to Northwestern in May. He possesses several other Division I offers. In 2022, as a junior, VanSickle was a force up front for a 7-4 Broncos program.
Benny Eziuka, sophomore, Detroit Catholic Central
While early in his career, Ezuika has all the makings of both a standout high school guard, as well as a Division I player. He’s 6-foot-5, weighs 305 pounds, and coach Justin Cessante lauded him as “extremely athletic,” adding that he has great balance and is “violent” with his hands. He holds offers from Central Michigan, Miami (OH) and Eastern Michigan.
Photo by Katy Kildee
Bryce Porter, senior, Detroit Catholic Central
Porter, also boasting tremendous size at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, plays outside of Ezuika at offensive tackle.
He’s begun collecting interest from a host of Division I and II schools and Cessante called him the “most underrated offensive tackle in the state.” Porter’s ability as a pass protector has become his calling card entering his final year, according to Cessante.
Rob Wierzbicki, senior, Detroit Catholic Central
Wierzbicki is the captain of the offensive line and the “strongest guy” on the team. At 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, he’s collected interest from Ivy League schools as well as other Division I and II colleges.
Cessante called him “big, quick and physical.”
He also said he’s a great run blocker — helping pave the way for an efficient running attack in 2022 — because he “keeps his balance and is very athletic for size.”
Grant Gilchrist, senior, Mason
Gilchrist is Mason’s leader on both the offensive and defensive lines. He was named all-state and area by the Lansing State Journal and was pivotal along an offensive front that helped score the most points in a season in school history.
Coach Gary Houghton said he’s a “great run stopper and pass rusher.”
Mikey Oftedahl, senior, Mound Westonka
Oftedahl has been the picture of durability thus far, starting every game of his varsity career since he was a freshman.
He’s one of only two players who have ever been a two-year captain, is a two-time all-district selection, and according to coach Nick David, has over 80 career pancake blocks.
“Mikey is a special player both as an athlete, but also as a leader and a role model,” David said of the center/defensive tackle. “He is an extremely hard worker who is the first one to show up and the last one to leave. We believe Mikey is the one of the best, if not the best interior offensive lineman in Minnesota.”
Oftedahl has collegiate offers.
Michael Beaudrie, senior, Flat Rock
Beaudrie, a two-year starter who was named to last year’s all-league team, will “anchor” both the offensive and defensive lines for coach Brandon Reaume’s program.
He returns at left tackle this year to protect his quarterback’s blindside. Beaudrie stands at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds.
Gregory Patrick, sophomore, Portage Northern
Patrick started for coach Kurt Twichell as a 13-year-old freshman and performed “exceptionally well as an athletic tackle who can bend and move.”
Last season he was named first team all-conference and region and is now up to 6-foot-4, 265 pounds after playing at 220 last season.
He has already received offers from Central Michigan, Miami (OH), Michigan State, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Toledo and Western Michigan.
Jackson Altwies, senior, Portage Northern
A first team all-region offensive tackle, Altwies moved to defensive end after a structural change on defense last season.
He was subsequently offered by the service academies to play end, and is committed to the Air Force Academy. He returns as a senior captain to play both ways in Twichell’s program.
“Jackson is one of the best leaders I have ever coached,” Twichell said.
Davont’a Love, senior, Chippewa Valley
Love will be a third-year starter at both offensive and defensive tackle in 2023. At 6-foot-2, 315 pounds, Love helped power Chippewa Valley’s offense to nearly 320 yards and 33 points per game while contributing on defense with 11 tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, two pass breakups and an interception.
Love holds offers from Grand Valley State, Ferris State, Davenport, Wayne State, Lake Erie, Madonna, Notre Dame, Eastern Illinois and Indiana Wesleyan.
Lucas Tic, junior, Troy
Tic, an all-league offensive tackle, helped power the Colts to a 7-3 record last season. He’s a two-year varsity starter and has become known for his abilities in the weight room. Coach Chris Frasier said the tackle set the school’s all-time power clean record.
Jeremiah Benson, sophomore, West Bloomfield
Coach Zachary Hilbers is confident Benson is the “next big lineman prospect” to come out of West Bloomfield, following in the footsteps of both Javon Foster (Missouri) and Amir Herring (Michigan).
Benson has the size (6-foot-4) to step in “immediately” as a sophomore and contribute on both sides of the ball, according to Hilbers.
CJ Schervish, senior, Grosse Pointe South
A 2022 all-conference member, Schervish will be entering year three as a starter at left tackle. A vocal team leader and “great” weight room guy, Schervish is a likely captain.
He plays with “great strength and tenacity” according to coach Chad Hepner. Schervish is getting looks to play at the Division I FCS level collegiately.
Derek McIntosh, senior, Grand Blanc
McIntosh is a three-year starter along the offensive line. He’s a pivotal piece, one which coach Kaleb Forr considers the “foundation” of the unit. Forr loves McIntosh’s motor and said the 6-foot-1, 275 pounder has a “nasty” ability to finish in space.
Mitchell Brewer, junior, Bishop Foley Catholic
Brewer is a hulking 6-foot-4 290 pound two-way lineman. He’s been named an an-league player in the past and looks to continue his excellent trajectory as an impactful member of the trenches this season.
Coach Brian Barnes went as far as to say that he believes Brewer “will be a top five player in our league.” Brewer was a catalyst for a 9-1 season last year.
Trenton Jackson, senior, Madison Heights Lamphere
Jackson is a two-time all-league player who plays offensive guard and both nose tackle and defensive end on defense. A team captain and all-state wrestler, Jackson thrives in the trenches with his physicality.
He’s a three-year starter on both sides of the ball and coach Raymond Ostrowski expects a “huge” senior season out of him.
“He has drastically improved his leadership skills this offseason and is looking to pick up some big offers here headed into his senior year,” Ostrowski said.
Stephen White, senior, Clarenceville
White has picked up some recruiting buzz over in Livonia after several solid seasons for Clarenceville. A senior leader and captain, White brings great height (6-foot-4) to the trenches, where he plays interior offensive line, as well as defensive end.
Coach Marty Castellon called him a “force” that will play a big role in determining Clarenceville’s success in 2023.
Jordan Colston, senior, Clarenceville
Colston is a leader on both sides of the ball. His strength, at 6-foot-3, is his defining characteristic as he’s been known to routinely move people with his feet, according to Castellon.
The coach sees a big-time senior year in the cards for Colston, whose uncle plays for the New England Patriots.
Alex Sparkman, senior, Clarenceville
Sparkman bolsters strong trenches with a wrestler’s mentality. “He loves to mix it up and get after it,” coach Castellon said of the offensive guard/defensive tackle.
“He is always positive.” While Sparkman’s football career is set to end after this season as he plans to continue wrestling collegiately, it's those same skills that make him a standout wrestler which he’ll bring to Clarenceville for one more season in 2023.
Derrick Simmons, junior, Frankenmuth
Simmons will be a fourth-year starter in 2023 for coach Phil Martin. Despite his size, at 6-foot-3, 265 pounds,
Martin said Simmons “plays fast” and is an athletic kid for his size. Simmons was an all-conference player last year as he helped push the Eagles to a remarkable 13-1 season.
Noah Till, senior, Detroit Denby
According to coach Zachery Carr, Till is, “everything you look for in an offensive lineman.” Till stands at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds.
Carr went on to describe him as agile, quick and, above all, strong at the point of attack.
Jabar Evans, senior, Detroit Denby
Evans plays center at 5-foot-10, 245 pounds. He is the “anchor up front,” according to coach Carr. Carr went on to describe Evans as a “high character kid, and an absolute leader on and off the field.”
Follow SBLive Michigan on Facebook | @SBLiveMI on Twitter
