The time we’ve all been waiting for is knocking on the door.
High school football is back.
With the 2026-27 FHSAA athletic calendar officially getting underway recently with the start of fall practice, the excitement, sights and sounds from Friday Night Lights will soon follow.
Many area teams will play their respective preseason Kickoff Classic this week before kicking off the regular season the following week. For SSAA teams, the regular season begins this week.
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As that journey begins, TCPalm is forecasting the players at their respective positions who are expected to shine during that stretch. Whether they’ve put up solid stats the previous season(s) or have the interest of schools at the next level, these athletes are expected to have starring roles in 2026.
We’ll break down all position groups, from skills positions to the guys in the trenches. Today, we examine the unsung heroes up front.
Here are TCPalm’s best area offensive linemen entering this upcoming season, in alphabetical order.
Best Florida high school football OLs on the Treasure Coast for 2026
Brody Burkett, Sr., Fort Pierce Central
Burkett switched school between his junior and senior season, joining the Cobras after playing last year at Tradition Prep. He’ll look to protect fellow senior Drew LaPlante, who set the program’s single-season passing touchdown record. Central’s center holds offers from Warner and Edward Waters.
Tre’on Covington, Sr., Jensen Beach
The 6-foot-2, 260-pound senior will spend his first season with the Falcons after transferring over from St. Lucie West Centennial. He is capable of playing multiple positions on the line but is considered a true center. Covington holds offers from Webber, Chowan and Keiser.
Davion Cypress, Sr., Sebastian River
Listed at 6-6, 280-pounds, the Sharks will set the edge at tackle while playing also at nose tackle on defense. He returns to Sebastian River after missing a portion of his junior season due to injury. Cypress has generated some buzz after a great showing during a camp at the University of Miami this summer.
Cameron Jacobs, Sr., South Fork
The 2026 campaign represents a return home for this senior. Jacobs played his freshman season with the Bulldogs before spending his sophomore and junior campaigns at Benjamin. Back at South Fork to play for new head coach Eric Kresser, the rising senior lineman is listed at 6-1, 275 pounds.
Braiden Marshall, Sr., Martin County
Serving as the Tigers’ top returner up front, Marshall continues the line of tough lineman holding his own in the trenches. The senior does his work on the interior as he opens up holes from the center and guard positions. Marshall holds offers from Keiser and Division II Chowan.
Michael Pacitti, Sr., South Fork
This lineman was voted as the area’s best offensive lineman entering the 2025 season. However, that was as a member of Jensen Beach. Pacitti has switched colors after transferring to the Bulldogs. The senior earned his first offer from Chowan last month.
Andrew Pisani, Jr., John Carroll Catholic
Pisani makes up one half of the Rams’ outstanding offensive line tandem. The junior is considered a top-notch prospect who continues to make waves, nationally, as he holds a three-star rating according to 247Sports. Pisani holds 21 Division I offers, as he received four offers since the start of 2026: Virginia Tech, Purdue, FIU and Auburn.
Kenial Stenson, So., Fort Pierce Westwood
Stenson played right tackle last season as a freshman for a Panthers offense that accounted for more than 3,000 total yards. To play a major role for a team made a deep run in the 4A-7A FIT postseason, Stenson gives Westwood a prospect to be excited over for years to come.
Sean Tatum, Sr., John Carroll Catholic
Tatum was the area’s first major domino from the Class of 2027 to fall after revealing his pledge to Miami during the spring. Playing tackle for the Rams, the 6-5, 315-pound lineman is a four-star prospect recruited to play guard for the Hurricanes. Tatum received 28 total offers. He is the 130th-ranked 2027 prospect in the country according to ESPN.
Shadrach Washington, Jr., Vero Beach
On a unit that graduated eight players, this junior is one of the rare returners that saw time up front for Vero last season. Whether experienced or not, Washington will be a difficult young man to move. He’s one of the area’s biggest linemen as he’s listed at 6-6, 345 pounds.
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 10 offensive linemen to watch for the 2026 high school football season
Reporting by Patrick Bernadeau, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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By Patrick Bernadeau, Treasure Coast Newspapers | USA TODAY Network
