We are continuing our countdown to the 2026 high school football season with our players-to-watch list. Here is how they are being released:

Quarterbacks — https://powerstrengthpro.com/2026-quarterbacks-to-watch/

Running Backs — https://powerstrengthpro.com/running-backs-to-watch/

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends — https://powerstrengthpro.com/wide-receivers-tight-ends-to-watch/

Offensive/Defensive Linemen — Tuesday, August 11

Linebackers — Tuesday, August 18

Defensive Backs — Tuesday, August 25

High school football games are often won at the line of scrimmage. It’s hard to overstate the importance of good play on the offensive and defensive lines. 

West Michigan has had its share of big-time players move on to the next level in the trenches, and this season will be no different. Here are the players to watch in the OK Conference and River Cities Alliance in alphabetical order:

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Grant Adloff, East Grand Rapids (’27) — A senior anchor for the Pioneers, Adloff brings the kind of experience up front that East Grand Rapids will lean on to protect the backfield and open running lanes this fall. See how the Michigan State commit uses training at PowerStrength to stand out even more – https://powerstrengthpro.com/grant-adloff/

Tommy Benedict, Lowell (’27) — Benedict enters his senior year as a veteran presence on Lowell’s front, the kind of steady hand a young backfield needs to trust.

Jackson Benham, Sparta (’28) — A junior on a Sparta line that’s sending several names to this list, Benham is positioned to take on a bigger role as the Spartans look to keep their offense on schedule.

Willem Bolt, Holland (’28) — Bolt is a name to know as Holland looks to build size and physicality up front with a junior class that’s still ascending.

Bryler Bosma, Unity Christian (’27) — A senior in a Crusaders program with a strong recent track record, Bosma is exactly the kind of trench player Unity Christian’s run-heavy attack depends on. See how Bryler added more than 30 pounds of muscle to his frame in one off-season – https://powerstrengthpro.com/varsity-ready/

Jacob Callaghan, Rockford (’27) — Callaghan is part of a loaded Rockford line group this fall, and in a program built on physicality up front, that’s high praise.

Alex Carrier, West Ottawa (’27) — A senior leader for the Panthers, Carrier’s experience should help stabilize a West Ottawa offense looking to establish the run early and often.

Bryson Cena, Fruitport (‘29)  — Cena started at left tackle for the Trojans as a Freshman. Combine that valuable experience with the work he has done in the off-season, and Cena will be turning some heads this Fall.

Bruce Chase, Grand Haven (‘28) — Grand Haven will be a little inexperienced on the offensive line, and Chase is a guy who is ready to make his mark up front for the Buccaneers in 2026.

Nehemiah Collier, Hudsonville (’27) — One of several Hudsonville seniors up front, Collier gives the Eagles size and experience in a program that’s consistently one of the area’s biggest. The Northern Michigan commit has been in the gym all off-season preparing for his senior year – https://powerstrengthpro.com/hudsonville-linemen/

Kesean Collins, Mona Shores (’27) — Collins heads into his senior season as a key building block for a Mona Shores squad that will lean on its trenches to control tempo.

Carter Cronk, Rockford — Another name in Rockford’s deep offensive line group, Cronk adds to a Rams front that opposing defenses will have to account for snap after snap.

Aiden DeHaan, Hopkins (’28) — A junior for the Vikings, DeHaan is a returning starter and part of a physical Hopkins line that should only get better as the season progresses.

Cameron DeHaan, Hopkins (’27) — The senior half of Hopkins’ DeHaan duo up front, Cameron brings veteran leadership to a Vikings line that will need it.

Wesley DeMoss, Holland Christian (’27) — A senior for the Maroons, DeMoss is a trench piece Holland Christian will count on to set the tone physically each week.

Brody Hammer, Thornapple Kellogg (’27) — Hammer enters his senior year as one of the Trojans’ most experienced linemen, tasked with anchoring a front that looks to get TK to the playoffs again in 2026.

Hunter Hankamp, Coopersville (’27) — A senior leader on a Coopersville line as a 3-year Varsity starter at left tackle. Hankamp is committed to play at Central Michigan, and his experience should pay off in crunch time for the Broncos.

Willem Haveman, Unity Christian (’27) — Haveman rounds out a talented senior group up front for the Crusaders, giving Unity Christian more experience to build around.

Mitchell Hansen, Hudsonville (’28) — A junior on Hudsonville’s deep offensive line, Hansen is one to watch as the Eagles continue to develop their next wave up front.

Jace Henry, Zeeland West (’27) — Henry is a senior building block for the Dux, expected to be a key piece in establishing the run game up front.

Kamaron Hill, Ottawa Hills (’27) — A senior anchor for Ottawa Hills, Hill brings experience to a program looking to take steps forward this fall.

Ryan Keizer, Sparta (’27) — One of several senior Spartans up front, Keizer gives Sparta valuable experience as they aim to improve off recent seasons.

Rylan Kirn, Rockford (’27) — A senior in Rockford’s talented trenches, the GVSU commit is part of what should be one of the area’s most physical offensive lines this fall.

Tucker Kitchen, Hudsonville (’27) — Kitchen enters his senior season as another experienced piece up front for a Hudsonville program built on size and depth.

Max Langdon, Forest Hills Eastern (’27) — A senior leader for the Hawks, Langdon is a name to watch as FHE looks to establish itself up front in a competitive OK White.

Jeremiah Lee, Godwin Heights (’27) — Lee heads into his senior year as a key trench piece for Godwin Heights, he will be a 3-year Varsity starter at tackle for the Wolverines.

Henry Luth, Rockford (’27) — Another senior in Rockford’s deep and experienced offensive line, Luth adds to a group that should be one of the strongest fronts in the area.

Caden McCarthy, Sparta (’27) — A senior for the Spartans, McCarthy is part of a veteran-heavy Sparta line that should give their offense a physical identity.

Gavin Mulder, Wayland (’28) — LT — A junior left tackle, Mulder holds down the most demanding spot on the Wayland line and is a name that should only grow in reputation as the season unfolds.

Caleb Pugh, Grand Rapids Christian (’27) — A senior for a Grand Rapids Christian program and a trench piece the Eagles will lean on heavily. Pugh is committed to play for defending National Champion Indiana next year.

Kylen Spencer, Caledonia (’28) — A junior for the Cougars, Spencer was all OK Red as a sophomore for a Caledonia program that plays physical football.

Blake Steinbacher, Sparta (’27) — Steinbacher is one more veteran senior in Sparta’s talented offensive line room, giving the Spartans a strong foundation up front.

Davin Steenstra, Sparta (’28) — A junior in a Sparta program loaded with linemen, Steenstra is positioned to grow into a larger role as the season goes on.

Charlie Stoepker, Jenison (’27) — A senior anchor for the Wildcats, Stoepker is back at Jenison after sitting out all of last year following his transfer from West Catholic. At 6’6” 340 lbs., Stoepker is a must-see prospect on the offensive line.

Anthony Stuyvesant, Hopkins (’29) — A sophomore already earning a spot on the varsity radar, Stuyvesant is an early name to know for a Hopkins program building for the future.

Jacob Troast, Spring Lake (’27) — Troast enters his senior season as a key trench piece for Spring Lake, expected to help pave the way for the Lakers’ option offense.

Hudson Vanbennekom, Unity Christian (’27) — Another senior in a stacked Unity Christian line, Vanbennekom adds experience to a Crusaders front built for a run-first attack.

Davion Whitfield, Kelloggsville (’27) — A senior leader for Kelloggsville, Whitfield is a trench piece the Rockets will rely on to anchor their offensive front.

Levi Wotjas, Hudsonville (’27) — Rounding out Hudsonville’s deep senior line class, Wotjas gives the Eagles another experienced body to build their offensive identity around.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Jaxson Bernhard, Plainwell (’27) — Bernard has a high motor and is very athletic at 6’2″ 225 lbs. He will be a leader on the defense this season for the Trojans.

Gavin Bouma, South Christian (’27) — A senior for the Sailors, much is expected of Bouma who is drawing interest from a lot of college programs. See how he went from 172 lbs to 210 lbs. – https://powerstrengthpro.com/transformed/

Luke Brodnicki, Hudsonville (’27) — Brodnicki enters his senior year as a disruptive force for the Eagles, just as he has been the last 2 years on the Varsity. Brodnicki, who recently committed to GVSU, has been leveling up in the off-season, see how here – – https://powerstrengthpro.com/hudsonville-linemen/

Blake Daniels, Rockford (’28) — A junior on a talented Rockford defensive front, Daniels is a name to watch as the Rams look to build another stout defense.

Ben Grant, Forest Hills Central (’27) — A senior anchor for the Rangers, Grant is expected to be a disruptive presence up front for an FHC defense that plays in one of the state’s toughest conferences.

Leyland Grundy, Greenville (’28) — Grundy is a junior who is big and physical, he started for the Yellow Jackets on the defensive line last year as a Sophomore.

Easton Howe, Grand Rapids Christian (’27) — A senior leader for the Eagles, Howe should be a key disruptor for a Grand Rapids Christian defense with high expectations.

Recarder Kitchen, Muskegon (’27) — A senior in a historically strong Muskegon program, the University of Michigan commit will be a 4-year starter on the Big Reds defensive front. He showed the ability as a Junior to take games over in big moments.

Mason Lachniet, Calvin Christian (’30) — A freshman making an early impression, Lachniet is one to keep an eye on as he begins his high school career on the Calvin Christian defensive line.

Ryan Larkin, Cedar Springs (’27) — A senior defensive end for the Red Hawks, Larkin is expected to be a leader up front for a Cedar Springs defense looking to make noise in the River Cities Alliance.

Jacob Lawrence, Rockford (’27) — Another senior in Rockford’s deep defensive front, Lawrence adds experience to a Rams defense with a strong recent track record.

Grant Matzke, Grandville (’27) — A senior for the Bulldogs, Matzke is a defensive tackle that Grandville will rely on to set the tone in the OK Red.

Clayton Miller, Coopersville (’27) — A senior leader for Coopersville, Miller is part of a defensive front the Broncos will lean on heavily this fall.

Jaydon Miller, Coopersville (’27) — Rounding out a strong senior class up front for Coopersville, Jaydon Miller gives the Broncos another experienced disruptor on the defensive line.

Collin Moradi, Kenowa Hills (’28) — A junior for the Knights, Moradi is a developing name on a Kenowa Hills defensive front looking to take a step forward.

Grady Patrick, Zeeland West (’27) — A senior anchor for the Dux, Patrick will be a key piece of a Zeeland West defense built to compete in the OK Gold. Check out his preparation at PowerStrength here – https://powerstrengthpro.com/next-wave-of-champions/

Hank Potter, Byron Center (’29) — A sophomore already carving out a role, Potter is an early name to know for a Byron Center program with a strong recent history in the trenches.

Nathan Potter, South Christian (’27) — A senior leader for the Sailors, Potter gives South Christian experience and physicality up front on defense.

Calvin Rossman, Coopersville (’28) — A junior for the Broncos, Rossman will be a 3-year Varsity starter who is just getting better and better for the Broncos.

Hudson Schrotenboer, Holland Christian (’28) — A junior for the Maroons, Schrotenboer is a name to watch as Holland Christian builds up its defensive front.

Hank VanderWal, Hudsonville (’27) — A senior for the Eagles, VanderWal is a disruptive force as part of a deep and experienced Hudsonville defensive line. See how Hank and his teammates spent the off-season getting better – https://powerstrengthpro.com/hudsonville-linemen/

Miles VanDop, Kenowa Hills (’28) — A junior for the Knights, VanDop is a trending prospect who was limited by injury last year, and is ready to break out in 2026.

Jacob Watkins, Muskegon (‘27) — Watkins has been a game-changer for the Big Reds the last 2 seasons on Varsity. At 6’4” 290 lbs., the Ferris State commit is poised for a monster senior year.

West Michigan football runs through the big guys up front, and this fall’s crop of linemen — from battle-tested seniors to underclassmen ready to turn heads — is proof the pipeline up front isn’t slowing down anytime soon. 

Check back in next week as we unveil the linebackers to watch in West Michigan.

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