Football guru DC Hendrix is back with his look at some of the top players from each position heading into the season.
The wide receiver position has become northeast Indiana’s most impressive position across the board in high school football. From a talent standpoint, every year there are several wideouts across the area being recruited to play at the next level. Several, if not all, of these 10 names will be playing on Saturdays once their respective high school careers are over.
He has tackled quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers over the last few weeks. Today, he breaks down his top 10 offensive linemen.
NOTE: All of these rankings will be updated weekly once the season begins, with the possibility of new names joining the list and names moving up and down.
1. Matthew Wiginton, junior, Carroll
Wiginton’s potential is through the roof. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound junior is ready to ramp up his recruitment. He’s already gotten offers from Miami (OH) and Akron after being impressive at their respective camps. He also had impressive showings at Notre Dame’s camp and Ohio State’s camp, where he held his own against top-level talent from the region in 1-on-1s at both left tackle and left guard. As an incoming junior, more offers will come rolling in. He’s in for a huge year.
2. Derrion Goodwin, senior, North Side
The only returning First Team All-SAC offensive lineman has gained a couple of offers from Western Illinois and the University of Indianapolis, but there will be plenty more coming after the work he has been putting in. As the anchor of North Side’s offensive line, the 6-1, 290-pound IFCA All-State lineman will be ready to bring in some more offers. Watching him at a couple of showcases, I noticed his improved footwork on the line, which will benefit him this season.
3. Adam Kline, senior, Carroll
Going from the biggest snub of any All-SAC honors last season to being invited as a recruit to a game at the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers only scratches the surface of the leaps Kline has made over the past year. He’s been working on his footwork, handwork and leg drives this offseason to get even better. The 6-4, 270-pound lineman is ready to show the area why he’s one of the best in the state and will be playing with a chip on his shoulder in his upcoming senior campaign.
4. Henry Shaw, senior, Homestead
As a returning All-SAC Second Team selection, Shaw is ready to help lead the Spartans back to what they were a few years ago. He’s been in the weight room heavy and told me he basically lived in there this past offseason, so look for a stronger Shaw on the field this fall. Listed at 5-10, 210 last season, he is likely around the 220-225 range with some added muscle and will lead the offense at center for the Spartans.
5. Miles Brockhouse, senior, DeKalb
Brockhouse was an All-NE8 Second Team honoree at offensive tackle last season. At 6-2, 230, he is back and will help take on some leadership for a reloading Barons offense. He also has been hitting the weight room really hard and has put on some muscle. He is already committed to play baseball for the University of Dayton, but he could easily be a two-sport star there as he is a great lineman as well. He was the only returning offensive lineman last season and has some high expectations from DeKalb coach Ryan Robertson this season.
6. Myante Williams, senior, Bishop Luers
Bishop Luers lost Zack Wall and Jonas Muya from its offensive line from a year ago, but it does return a pair of Second Team All-SAC linemen. Williams looks much more mobile with his footwork on the line after working really hard this offseason. Getting experience playing in a state championship atmosphere at Luers builds confidence and experience. Now a veteran up front, Williams will be a big asset this season as a lot of youngsters will be relied upon for the Knights. Coach Kyle Lindsay said Williams has been working his butt off since the state championship loss. He will also be playing some nose tackle this year as well.
7. Zach Furthmiller, senior, Columbia City
At 6-5, 275 pounds, Furthmiller is much more talented than the attention and offers he’s been getting thus far. He did just get an offer from Hillsdale College in Michigan, but Columbia City coach Brett Fox believes he has plenty more on the way. Furthmiller has been down to Indiana State’s camp and has had some great conversations with some other programs. He was All-NE8 Honorable Mention last season, but he will be looking to crack that First Team list this season and add some more offers along with the muscle he has added in the weight room.
8. Josh Morken, senior, Bishop Luers
Much like his teammate Myante Williams, Morken returns as an All-SAC player and brings a ton of experience to the Knights’ offensive front. He also has been known to play a little edge as well, but he has been putting in a ton of work at guard and to help take leadership of the offense. He impresses coaches with his low center of gravity and exceptional initial quickness for a guard. Luers brings back two of the most experienced and talented O-linemen in the area.
9. Dorian Bunn, senior, Columbia City
Also getting some All-NE8 love a year ago, Bunn returns this season to help lead a new-look offense for the Eagles. Coach Brett Fox tells us that Bunn is a great drive blocker and is always attacking. At 6-2, 265 pounds, Bunn and Furthmiller combine to bring a lot of size and experience to the line, and will surely wreak havoc against opposing defensive lines this season.
10. Zane Betz, senior, Bluffton
Betz will be playing both sides of the ball for the Tigers this season, but the returning First Team All-ACAC lineman is a must on this list for his offensive prowess. He’s a bit undersized compared to some of the others on this list, but playing smaller programs in the ACAC, Betz thrives amongst the best in the conference. Film doesn’t lie; the kid can flat-out block. All five starting offensive linemen are back for Bluffton, and Betz will be the leading anchor in the front. It never hurts the confidence to have made a recent run to state in baseball, either. Betz will be one of the leaders of an offense that returns both quarterback Axton Beste and running back Cooper Craig and is primed to put up some points this fall.
These opinions represent those of DC Hendrix and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow DC Hendrix on X at dchendrix.
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