It’s time to show some love for the big guys up front.
The PNJ has released its players to watch for different skill positions on offense, but how about the players in the trenches creating time and space? While their names might not always be showing up on the stat sheet, their role is equally as important to protect the line of scrimmage.
Here’s a list of offensive linemen to watch from the Escambia and Santa Rosa County area for the 2024 season.
Pensacola-area offensive linemen to watch for entering 2024 season
Grant Wise
School: Pace
Class: Junior
Arguably the area’s best offensive lineman, Grant Wise takes over that title from Jonathan Daniels, who graduated from Pine Forest last year and is now at Florida State. Pace, a run-heavy offense, relies on its offensive line. Wise led the line and helped the offense post 2,407 yards rushing, averaging 6.6 yards per carry and 240.7 yards per game. Wise holds offers from numerous Division I programs including Alabama, Florida State, Miami and Georgia, among many others.
Kasey Marvin
School: Booker T. Washington
Class: Junior
Highlighted by head coach Ryan Onkka, Kasey Marvin will look to lead Booker T.’s offensive line in his junior season. Last season, the Wildcats ran for 813 yards with four rushing touchdowns.
Tyler Folmar
School: Tate
Class: Senior
Tyler Folmar is a “leader” for the Tate football team, head coach Rhett Summerford said. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, Folmar is a force to be reckoned with in the trenches and had a handful of pancake blocks last season. Folmar aided an offensive line that helped the offense put up 2,060 yards rushing, averaging 206 yards per game with 31 touchdowns on the ground. Folmar has been gaining some Division I interest, with offers from Southern Miss and Louisiana-Lafayette.
Josh Sluder
School: Pensacola Catholic
Class: Senior
Yet another prolific run-game offense, Josh Sluder will look to lead a veteran offensive line his senior season for Pensacola Catholic. After graduating Ryland Bragg, who’s now at Jacksonville State, Sluder is one of the keys to the trenches for the Crusaders. Pensacola Catholic ran for 2,868 yards and threw for 2,079. Sluder tacked on 15 pancake blocks during the year.
Ayden Sanderson
School: Escambia
Class: Senior
Escambia head coach Mike Bennett said during the spring that his offensive line is pretty senior-heavy, with the five primary starters for the Gators all back in the trenches. Last season, Escambia’s offensive line gave their quarterback, Anthony Hall, plenty time to throw; and created plenty of space for their running back, Dorrion White. As a team, Escambia threw for 2,607 yards and ran for 1,447 yards.
Jeffery Green
School: Milton
Class: Senior
Utilizing both a dual-quarterback and a somewhat dual-running back system last year, the offensive line from Milton had plenty of work to do. The Panthers ran for 826 yards and passed for 1,393 yards. Jeffery Green, now a senior, will look to aid Milton’s “old-school physicality” that head coach Kelly Gillis was highlighting during the spring.
Nehemiah Chance
School: Pensacola
Class: Senior
Nehemiah Chance and the rest of the Pensacola High seniors are ready for a turnaround under first-year head coach Wade McKinney. The large senior class has some strong prospects in the run game that present some speed. “We’re going to be the class that can say we started a turnaround at PHS,” Chance said during the spring.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: OLs to watch for in Escambia, Santa Rosa counties in 2024
Pensacola News Journal
