Arizona high school football 2024: The Republic's Top 15 offensive lines

Arizona is becoming known for producing great offensive linemen. There are so many spread out all over the state. Teams stacked in the trenches generally go the furthest in the playoffs.

After ranking the Top 15 receiving corps for the 2024 high school football season, The Arizona Republic this week ranks the Top 15 offensive lines. Don't be surprised to see some of these teams going deep at state. Coaches provided input for this list.

Top 15 offensive lines

1. Phoenix Brophy Prep

This line will take the Broncos far. They've got size, depth, skill, power. It is led by The Republic's No. 1 2025 prospect, tackle Logan Powell (6 feet 5, 285 pounds), who has committed to Wisconsin. Kansas-commit Anderson Kopp (6-3, 280) might be the best center in the state. OT Jorden Cunningham (6-5, 285) has gained 75 pounds since last year and has seen his recruiting stock soar with offers from New Mexico State, NAU, Idaho and Eastern Washington. Coach Jason Jewell, a former Division I offensive lineman, said there will be a battle for the two guard spots among Brayden Michael (6-1, 305), Christian Parenza (5-11, 240) and Shane Reiersgaard (6-3, 260). Brady Ogan (6-3, 280) and Blake Sweetman (6-0, 240) also are in the mix for playing time.

2. Chandler Basha

This is as big and as impressive an offensive line as you will see in 2024. The Bears are led up front by senior Sammy Garcia (6-5, 360) and sophomore Jake Hildebrand (6-7, 290), who is the No. 1 2027 prospect in the state by The Republic. Add Michael Villa (6-6, 315), Carsten Otero (6-4, 235), Tevita Kale (6-3, 276), Justin Gerdes (6-0, 220) and Patrick Dale (6-6, 243), and the Bears have the talent to open holes for talented sophomore tailback Noah Roberts.

3. Peoria Centennial Coyotes

This is one of the smartest and most versatile O-lines Centennial has had in recent years. This group is led by guard Edward Aragon (5-11, 305), a senior, who has started in varsity games since his sophomore year. He's surrounded by senior Luke Farley (6-3, 300), Camren Durfee (6-2, 305) and Ty Gates (6-5, 265), who was converted from tight end. Sophomore tackle Benjamin Lowther (6-6, 295) projects to be a major-college offensive lineman. Guard Robert Bailey (6-0, 275) is solid. And, after five games, Centennial will unleash center Bryce Pollard (6-0, 290), a transfer from Saguaro; and Jesus "Chuy" Diaz III (6-4, 285), a transfer from Cactus. Senior guard Everson Taylor (6-1, 265) has run a 4.9-second laser 40 (electronic, not stopwatch time).

4. Peoria Liberty

The Lions return four of five starters from last year's Open state championship team. They're led up front by Nick Spence (6-6, 280), who will anchor a strong line that includes returning starters Jace Gardner (6-1, 265), J.R. Hecklinski (6-2, 265) and Cameron Uresti (6-4, 300). They should all be able to help jump-start the new skill-position guys.

5. Phoenix Mountain Pointe

This is the deepest group coach Eric Lauer has had in five years, which allows him to let Kaleb Jones (6-2, 290), an Arizona commit, focus on the defensive line. Left tackle Aaron Thomas (6-7, 280) has multiple major-college offers. Left guard Charles Lott (6-4, 280), center Tyrique Washington (6-3, 300), guard Jayden Berrios (6-3, 285) and tackle Devin Johnson (6-3, 270) all are capable of providing big holes and protecting the QB. Tackle George Longoria (6-5, 250) adds depth.

6. Chandler

The Wolves return four starters from an offense that averaged 40 points a game. Leading the way are Blake Speer (6-4, 275), Michael Cook (6-3, 285), Quentin Rael (6-1, 280), Noah Swope (6-3, 275), Logan Ray (6-2, 265), Isaiah Garcia (6-0, 275) and Brayden Holley (5-10, 280).

7. Chandler Hamilton

The Huskies return four starters and are turning sophomore tight end Richie Dexter (6-6, 292) into an offensive tackle. Returning are senior guard/tackle Liam Mistlebauer (6-4, 295), junior tackle Rex Waterman (6-6, 295), senior center Charles Hawk III (6-1, 286), seniors Thomas Atafua (6-2, 310) and Chris Warner (6-3, 285).

8. American Leadership Queen Creek

Coach Rich Edwards inherits a very solid line that averages 276 pounds. He said this line is known for its intelligence, dedication to excellence, hard work on and off the field, and aggressive play on the field. Watch for these guys to pave the way: Riggs Anderson (6-1, 280), Braden Chick (6-3, 285), Mackay Jensen (6-1, 255), Jakob McCabe (6-2, 250), Ondreas Ware (6-3, 312).

9. Gilbert Higley

The two-time defending 5A champions return three starters from one of the more prolific offenses in the state. Jonny Shively started on both offense and defense last year and that likely will stay the same. Justin Bender (5-11, 245) will be a third-year starter. Jonah Gastelo (6-0, 265) and Devyn Gifford (6-0, 250) bring back experience and strength for a team that scored 638 points, had 3,702 passing yards and 3,248 rushing yards.

10. Mesa Mountain View

New coach Andy Litten might have walked into an offensive linemen gold mine. There is a mix of size, athleticism and experience. They all can move. Projected starters are Tavita Ta’ase (5-11, 285), Adam Pierce (6-3, 280), Jack McCook (6-3, 280), Keleb Gibson (6-3, 325), Diego Kish (6-2, 315).

11. Chandler Arizona College Prep

The Knights play in 4A but have a line that can hold its own at any level. They're led by Ronan Saloman (6-1, 285) and Cole Perham (6-0, 240), who both picked up postseason honors last year. ACP won the Arizona Christian Big Man Challenge and placed in all three June big-man competitions they were in. Center Keegan Prescott (5-10, 255), guards Mikey Richards (6-0, 240) and Logan Wendelschafer (6-2, 255) and tackles AJ Rubbelke (6-2, 260) and Jack Wolf (6-0, 235) should provide needed depth.

12. Chandler Valley Christian

Coach Jake Petersen said he would put his O-line up against anybody at any level. The Trojans, who will try to make a deep 3A run, return four starters, led by junior left tackle Alex Hons (6-2, 280) and junior left guard Jackson Kuyoth (6-2, 255). Joining them are junior center Isaac Leone (5-10, 220), senior right guard Carson Groff (6-1, 245) and senior right tackle Addison Morgan (6-2, 265). They have a combined GPA of 3.5 and are coached by Andy Keeler, who played at Nebraska for Tom Osborne.

13. Buckeye Youngker

They have three seniors who are three-year starters, led by left tackle Hayden Williams (6-6, 290), who is coming off a first-team, all-region season. Left guard Johnny Su'a (6-3, 280) moved in from Arkansas. He is the brother of Arizona State's Joey Su'a. Center Julian Chacon (5-10, 270) started varsity last year. He started for two years prior to that at Calexico, California. Right tackle Bernardo Alvear (6-2, 280) is a three-year starter who has played guard, center and now tackle in his career.

14. Cave Creek Cactus Shadows

A dynamic QB in Donivan Dixon is happy to have these guys protecting him and opening holes: Cavan Pine (6-4, 300), Riley Baughman (6-5, 290), Payton Wales (6-1, 270), Auryn Phillips (6-2, 260) and Jack Ryan (6-4, 230). Wales and Pine both were second-team, all-region last year.

15. Phoenix Thunderbird

Elijah Little is one of the top running backs in the state at any level, and he's got an athletic line to help turn him loose. It is led by Talan Flores (6-2, 245), who will anchor both sides of the line. Center Mason Fosu (6-3, 255) is getting noticed by college coaches. C.J. Curry (6-2, 220) and Jaylon McConnaughy (6-3, 250) return as starting tackles. The big question mark is replacing right guard Micah Fonsica, who is now playing at Arizona Christian.

Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona high school football 2024: The Republic's Top 15 offensive lines