The unsung heroes of football: offensive linemen.
Whether it’s on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays, offensive linemen are the core of any good, physical football team. Sure, some teams can dazzle with elite skill players, but when the weather gets colder and the ball gets heavier later in the season, the teams with power up front generally score the ball better.
Linemen don’t get to score touchdowns, don’t get plays drawn up for them, and rarely get praised, but we all know how important they are when it comes to protecting the quarterback and running the ball.
Here is a list of the area’s most unselfish players to watch this upcoming 2025 season.
(Top players are listed in alphabetical order by last name)
Mateo Bilaver, Chaminade, Sr.: This UNLV commit is listed at 6-foot-6, 290 pounds. The 3-star prospect will be the anchor to a very good offensive line for coach David Machuca and the Eagles.
Jackson Hill, Chaminade, Jr.: Lean and mean. Hill is listed at 6-foot-5, 280 pounds with offers to schools like San Diego State, UNLV and Colorado State.
Luke O’Shaughnessy, Oak Park, Sr.: When vetting the area for top players, coach Casey Webb listed O’Shaughnessy, as the team’s top offensive returner for 2025. It’s rare that a lineman gets thought of first, but for the Eagles, clearly O’Shaughnessy’s leadership and grit will be the cornerstone for the upcoming season.
Tyson Seidman, Sierra Canyon, Jr.: The big fella. Seidman is listed at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds. The intrigue here isn’t so much the size, but that this rising junior is going up against standout defensive linemen like Kasi Currie and Texas commit Richard Wesley.
Bryce Williams, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.: Williams is highlighted on this list due to his story. The 6-foot-8 lineman has been part of Harvard-Westlake’s nationally-ranked basketball program for the last three years. This fall, he’s playing football for the first time under new coach Dameon Porter. Williams has been going to camps and receiving college interest, according to Porter. This story is certainly one to watch.
Others to watch: Keoni Maxwell, Oaks Christian, Sr.; Spencer Parham, Sierra Canyon, Sr.; Donald Penn III, Calabasas, Jr.; Jelani Jones, Alemany, Jr.; Lucas Van Lokeren, Crespi, Sr.; Shane Katz, Chaminade, Sr.: Mikey Baldwin, Notre Dame/SO, Sr.; Hunter Lyon, Simi Valley, Sr.; Finn Ward, Agoura, Jr.; Jayson Garcia, St. Francis, Sr.; Daniel Navarro, Saugus, Sr.; Moy Betancourt, Moorpark, Sr.; Tyler Seefeldt, Newbury Park, Sr.; Pablo Granados, Birmingham, Jr.; Lazaro Barajas, Kennedy, Sr.