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With the 2026 Oregon high school football season looming, attention is shifting to the unsung players who shape games before the highlight reels begin: the linemen. From large-bodied protectors on offense to quick, penetrating defenders, these athletes will influence playoff races and the next wave of college recruiting.
Trenches matter this fall — they determine time of possession, rushing success and whether a rising quarterback stays clean — so here are the top Oregon trench players to watch heading into the new season.
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| Player | School | Class | Ht/Wt | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Bailey | Silverton | Junior | 6-3, 255 | Two-way contributor on the 5A state champions; first-team offense, second-team defense |
| Luke Brainard | Wilsonville | Senior | 6-7, 225 | Committed to Colorado State in June; productive tight end and edge defender |
| Liam Carmichael | Lake Oswego | Senior | 6-0, 230 | Edge rusher for the 6A state champions; expected to expand his role |
| Josh Christensen | Lake Oswego | Senior | 6-6, 250 | Three Rivers League defensive lineman of the year; committed to Oregon |
| Leofatu Filipe | Thurston | Junior | 6-5, 230 | Rapidly rising 2028 prospect after standout sophomore season |
| Skyler Folau | Marshfield | Senior | — | Two-way starter; first-team 4A all-state on offense |
| Brody Fullerton | Henley | Sophomore | 6-1, 210 | Freshman all-conference honor on the 4A runner-up offensive line |
| Aidan Galusha | Dallas | Senior | 6-1, 210 | Mid-Willamette defensive lineman of the year; 76 tackles, nine sacks |
| Jettson Gillam | Mountain View | Senior | 6-4, 235 | Committed to Washington State after strong tight end season |
| Emmett Hunsaker | Sprague | Senior | 6-5, 260 | Left-side anchor for the Olympians’ O-line |
| Tripp Johansen | Willamette | Senior | 6-3, 255 | Recent Montana State commit; productive junior season with 10 sacks |
| Levi Klostreich | Sherwood | Senior | 6-2, 235 | Two-way 6A all-state honorable mention last year |
| Max Knapp | Sprague | Senior | 6-0, 260 | Drawing local Division III interest after honorable mention |
| Calvin Longoni | Vale | Senior | — | Multi-role lineman and kicker; all-state on OL and kicker |
| Colton Lucas | Sandy | Senior | — | Mt. Hood Conference offensive lineman of the year; team moves to 5A |
| Dylan Marquez | Lake Oswego | Senior | 6-4, 290 | Earned all-league mention and a recent FCS offer from USD |
| Xander Mishkin | West Linn | Senior | 6-3, 285 | Second-team 6A all-state at tackle; college interest as a center |
| Asher Olliff | Dallas | Senior | — | Anchored the Dragons’ O-line; all-conference first team |
| Isaiah Ormond | Tualatin (transfer) | Senior | 6-2, 300 | Transferred from Mountainside; committed to Eastern Washington |
| Nate Peau | Central Catholic | Senior | 6-2, 315 | 6A all-state second team; part of a high-profile line in 2028 recruiting |
| Brock Sahlfeld | Glencoe | Senior | 6-2, 255 | All-state 6A first team; key blocker for a 2,000-yard rusher |
| Peter Stanley | Summit | Junior | 6-4, 295 | Offensive line MVP at the Northwest Showcase; offers from WSU and Dartmouth |
| PJ Tautu | Central Catholic | Junior | 6-4, 265 | Oregon’s top 2028 recruit; offers from Oregon State, Washington, BYU, Arizona |
| Scottland Telesa | Aloha | Senior | 6-0, 255 | Northwest Oregon Conference OL of the year; 6A shot put champion |
| George VanSandt | Central Catholic | Senior | 6-5, 235 | Committed to Oregon after strong camp showings |
| Cade Wilson | Banks | Senior | 6-4, 290 | All-state two-way performer at 3A; team moves back to 4A this season |
Why these linemen matter now
Beyond the trophies and recruiting headlines, linemen decide so many immediate outcomes: which offenses control the clock, how fresh a defense stays, and whether a team can protect a young quarterback during a rebuilding year. Several players listed above changed the recruiting landscape in June, and their decisions will shift local power dynamics.
Spotlight: Mark Bailey and Luke Brainard
Mark Bailey finished last season as a steady presence on Silverton’s title-winning line, splitting time on both sides of the ball. At 6-foot-3 and roughly 255 pounds, he combines size with enough mobility to make a difference in short-yardage and pass-protection situations.
At Wilsonville, Luke Brainard provides a rare blend of length and positional versatility. The 6-foot-7 senior, who committed to Colorado State in June, contributed as a pass-catcher and a defensive end, finishing with double-digit touchdown potential and a disruptive presence on defense.
Top recruits and transfer watch
PJ Tautu’s rise to the top of Oregon’s 2028 class and commitments from juniors like Josh Christensen and George VanSandt to the Ducks reflect how quickly the recruiting picture can shift during the summer camp season. Transfers such as Isaiah Ormond moving to Tualatin also reshuffle immediate expectations for contenders.
- Recruiting impact: College commitments made in June 2026 already reshape local recruiting battles.
- Team trajectories: A dominant O-line or a disruptive DL can swing a division title race.
- Player development: Watch juniors like Leofatu Filipe and Peter Stanley — they could be high-profile recruits by next year.
Brief takes — other players to keep an eye on
Lake Oswego’s depth on the edge is notable with both Liam Carmichael and Dylan Marquez returning; one provides pass rush, the other offers length and recent FCS-level interest. Sandy’s Colton Lucas will be central to his team’s attempt to adjust to 5A competition after a deep run a year ago. Sprague’s Max Knapp and Emmett Hunsaker provide toughness up front for a physical South Central slate.
Smaller-school standouts such as Banks’ Cade Wilson and Henley’s Brody Fullerton will be tested as their teams face tougher lineups this fall, and versatile athletes like Scottland Telesa, who doubles as a state shot-put champion, underline how multi-sport skill sets can translate to the trenches.
What to watch in the first month
Early-season nonconference games will reveal which lines are closing gaps and which pass rushers are set to make big plays. Specifically:
- How quickly do newly committed or highly recruited linemen adjust to expectations and leadership roles?
- Which schools replace departed starters without losing run-game efficiency?
- Do transfer moves — and teams moving between classifications — change the balance for league favorites?
Expect the first three weeks to answer many of those questions, with the biggest surprises likely coming from late-blooming juniors and transfers who settle quickly into new systems.
As teams break pads and the regular season gets under way, these players — many of whom already have college eyes on them — will be central to outcomes that matter to players, coaches and recruiters alike. Keep an eye on the trenches; championships often start there.
