High school football: Top five offensive linemen to watch in Lafayette area

LAFAYETTE - Offensive linemen are creators of both seams and time, being the protectors of the offense.

Famed players like Croy Cronk of Central Catholic have gone on to play in the NFL.

With the opening to high school football is less than a month away, it's time to countdown the top five blockers in the area.

1. Jaime Chavez

School: Harrison

Class: Senior

Scouting report: Chavez is leads a Raiders offense that averaged 131 rushing yards per game in 2023. Chavez is 6-foot-3, he moves quickly and took tutelage from 2023 graduate CJ Zeltwanger now at Ball State.

2. Alex Lawrence-Luna

School: McCutcheon

Class: Senior

Scouting report: Another big body who moves quickly upfield. Lawrence-Luna protected an offense that rushed for 260.3 yards per game in 2023.

3. DaeQuan Viverette

School: McCutcheon

Class: Senior

Scouting report : Viverette has become one of the leaders in the locker room and huddle for the Bronchos who are looking to boost an offense that averaged 184.5 yards of total offense in 2023.

More: High school football is back! Top 5 Preseason Big Schools and Small Schools Power Rankings

4. Niko Karlaftis

School: West Lafayette

Class: Sophomore

Scouting report : Tons of upside for one of the younger brothers of 2-time Super Bowl Champion George Karlaftis. Power, competitive and a silent worker. Karlaftis leads an offense that will have plenty of speed in the run game with Dawson Martin and Kojo Steffey.

5. Joseph Gutierrez

School: Harrison

Class: Senior

Scouting report : Gutierrez is another returning starter who uses his hands to get inside pads and chops his feet quickly to create gaps. Gutierrez has a 6-foot-2 frame that he uses as a sectional contending wrestler during the winter season.

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@gannett.com , on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson .

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: High school football: Top five offensive linemen to watch in Lafayette area