Here are the top 10 Columbus-area OLs entering 2024 Ohio high school football season

With the 2024 high school football season drawing closer, The Dispatch is naming the best players at every position across central Ohio .

We started with the top quarterbacks , running backs and wide receivers/tight ends , then moved to the other side of the ball with defensive linemen . Those run stoppers and pass rushers will battle blockers who are equally skilled and physical, including Ohio State commit Jake Cook of Westerville North.

Here are The Dispatch’s top 10 offensive linemen in central Ohio , in alphabetical order:

Ayden Annarino, Pickerington North

Vitals: 6-foot-2, 285 pounds, sr.

College commitment: Miami University

Coach Nate Hillerich said Annarino should be a solid contributor at guard. Last season, Annarino was honorable mention all-district in Division I as North went 11-2 and reached a Region 3 semifinal. He is one of four returning starters on the Panthers' offensive line.

Jake Beatty, Hartley

Vitals: 6-3, 290, jr.

College offers: None

Coach Brad Burchfield calls Beatty “a monster” at tackle. Last season, Beatty was first-team all-district and all-CCL and third-team all-state in Division IV , helping the Hawks (10-3) reach a Region 15 semifinal while blocking for 1,543-yard rusher Robert Lathon.

Jake Cook, Westerville North

Vitals: 6-5, 300, sr.

College commitment: Ohio State

A four-star recruit who received more than 20 offers, Cook committed to Ohio State after decommitting from Louisville on June 18. Last season, he was first-team all-district and all-OCC-Capital and third-team all-state in Division I , helping North go 9-3 in Stanley Jackson Sr.'s first season as coach .

Best seniors: Columbus area's top 25 for 2024

Eli Hall, Big Walnut

Vitals: 6-3, 310, sr.

College offer: Davidson

Coach Curtis Crager expects solid contributions from Hall at left tackle. Last season, he was second-team all-district in Division II and special mention all-OCC-Capital, helping to pave the way for then-senior Nate Severs ' 1,638 yards rushing.

Malakai Hammond, Northland

Vitals: 6-0, 265, sr.

College offers: None

Coach Ryan Sayers calls this center “the best offensive lineman in the City League.” Last season, Hammond was first-team all-league and second-team all-district in Division II, helping the Vikings (9-2) win the City-North and earn a first-round home playoff game in Region 7 .

Jeremy McDowell, Gahanna Lincoln

Vitals: 6-3, 280, sr.

College commitment: Army

A three-year starter, McDowell has moved to tackle after playing center the past two seasons, when Gahanna went a combined 25-3 and reached a Division I state semifinal in 2022. McDowell also excels in the classroom, boasting a 4.11 GPA.

Jaden Patterson, Grove City Christian

Vitals: 6-3, 325, sr.

College offers: None

Coach Ben Schall calls Patterson “a dominating run blocker” at left tackle. Last season, he was Lineman of the Year in the MSL-Cardinal, first-team all-district and third-team all-state in Division VI after not allowing a sack.

Watch Ohio high school football in 2024

Jackson Pelzer, Granville

Vitals: 5-11, 255, sr.

College offers: None

Pelzer was part of an offensive line that helped the Blue Aces to a 12-0 start last season before losing to Bellefontaine in a Division III, Region 11 semifinal. Pelzer, who has a 4.14 GPA, was first-team all-district and all-LCL-Buckeye and third-team all-state .

Ben Rader, Johnstown

Vitals: 6-2, 300, sr.

College offers: None

Rader is a key contributor at tackle for the Johnnies. He was first-team all-district and all-LCL-Cardinal and honorable mention all-state in Division IV last fall.

Ezechiel Teshome, Harvest Prep

Vitals: 6-1, 250, sr.

College offers: None

A tackle, Teshome is part of a line that returns all its starters. He also is the team’s top lineman, according to coach Milan Smith. Last season, Teshome was first-team all-district and third-team all-state in Division V after not allowing a sack. His play helped the Warriors (12-2) reach a state semifinal .

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fdirenna@dispatch.com

@DispatchFrank

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Here are the top 10 Columbus-area OLs entering 2024 Ohio high school football season