CHATSWORTH — Offenses don’t move without the strength, balance and footwork of the five men at the line of scrimmage moving bodies and creating holes.
Offensive linemen move bodies, earn pancakes and provide the holes for quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers to score.
The preseason LA Daily News football countdown continues with the top 10 offensive linemen to watch in 2025.
Jackson Hill, Chaminade, senior
Hill is a three-star recruit committed to Notre Dame. Hill stands 6-foot-7 and carries the complete package as an offensive guard. Chaminade averaged 338.7 yards per game last season and will lean on Hill’s leadership to continue its dominance at the line of scrimmage.
Apisai Fifita, Oaks Christian, junior
Fifita carries all the tools and physical attributes to one day play elite college football and perhaps reach the NFL. Fifita is a mountainous figure at 6-foot-6 and carries 18 NCAA Division I offers, most notably from Texas, Notre Dame, Miami, Texas A&M and UCLA. Fifita’s footwork and quick hands into pads to drive defenders are elite. Oaks Christian gets a high-end blocker with Fifita transferring from St. Francis.
Lance Ciechanowski, Sierra Canyon, junior
Massive frame and proven in the trenches as a four-star recruit at 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds. Ciechanowski carries offers from Texas, UCLA, Arizona State, Minnesota, Kansas, Cal, Colorado State and Sacramento State.
Braydenn Mercer, Sierra Canyon, senior
Mercer is a physical three-star interior lineman who is 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds and committed to UNLV. He makes proper hand adjustments to get inside and drive defenders. Another key piece in arguably the deepest team assembled at Sierra Canyon.
Julian Bibby, Alemany, junior
Bibby enters the 2026 season as one of the top-ranked centers in the state. Bibby possesses a strong, timely kick-step and can handle the pressures as a pass blocker despite being listed at 6 feet tall, which is considered small for the position. Colleges are taking notice, with Bibby holding offers from Old Dominion, Southern Miss and Toledo.
Donald Penn III, Calabasas, senior
Penn comes from an NFL bloodline with his father, Donald Penn, having an impressive 13-year career and being voted to the Pro Bowl three times despite being undrafted out of Utah State in 2006. Now it’s time for the new generation with the younger Penn holding offers from UNLV, Nevada, Sacramento State and Colorado State.
Pablo Granados, Birmingham, senior
Granados’ name doesn’t have a star attached to it. But that doesn’t mean Division 1 offers won’t loom for this broad-shouldered captain of Birmingham, listed at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds. Granados dictates the intensity for the Patriots, who return much of their 2025 starting offense.
Harry Molia, Burbank, junior
Molia has started every game as a blocker since his freshman year. A big body at 6-foot-4 who brings experience to Burbank that could make noise after finishing 9-3 (5-1 Pacific League).
Paul Villegas, San Fernando, senior
A two-way player with quiet leadership, Villegas’ protection up front and the ability to wreak havoc in the backfield allowed San Fernando to capture the CIF LA City Section Division II title in 2025. At 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds with a knack for moving people, Villegas takes the final spot in the top 10.
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