Missouri's top high school football players: Meet the state's best offensive linemen

Meet Missouri's top offensive linemen.

By Jon Walker

Throughout the football season, we took a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Missouri high school football. With the season wrapped up, we wrap up our top players series with a look at the offensive linemen.

Let us know of any other linemen who stood out in 2021!

—

Josh Anderson, 6-4, 285, Sr., Westminster Christian Academy

Westminster’s offense was spearheaded by LJ Minner, who rushed for 1,512 yards and 19 touchdowns, and Anderson was a key part of the push that contributed to Minner’s success. Anderson committed to Eastern Illinois roughly three weeks before the start of the season.

Michael Capria, 6-3, 285, Sr., Liberty

Liberty running back Wentric Williams III was named to Class 6’s first team, and his 1,542-yard season was helped by Capria’s efforts on the Blue Jays’ offensive line. Liberty didn’t have the season it wanted to, but Capria used this fall to be named first-team All-State for the second year in a row. He’ll leave behind his legacy at Liberty to head to be a Kansas State Wildcat.

Talan Chandler, 6-4, 285, So., Lutheran St. Charles

Arlen Harris Jr. is perhaps the best running back in the state, and Lutheran St. Charles’ offensive line has been a massive part as to why Harris is committed to Stanford. Chandler, named first-team All-State as just a sophomore, helped Harris rush for 1,607 yards and 36 touchdowns. He was named first-team All-District and All-Conference, too. 

Ashton Flinn, 6-4, 290, Sr., Jackson

Jackson won 26 straight games prior to losing to Webb City in the Class 5 semifinals, and Flinn’s efforts in pass protection and the run game were a key part of that. He committed to Murray State prior to his senior season, and the Racers’ program inherit one of the Indians’ first-team All-State selections. 

Cayden Green, 6-5, 310, Jr., Lee’s Summit North

Cayden Green is the second half of the Broncos’ dynamic duo on the offensive line, and he’s still got a year left of high school football. He’s received 34 scholarship offers from Power 5 schools such as Oklahoma, Iowa, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana State, Michigan, and Michigan State. He helped protect quarterback Tre Baker this fall, and he’ll only continue to improve his recruiting resume throughout the offseason prior to his farewell tour.

Jaylon James, 6-7, 295, Sr., West Plains

James, one of the biggest players featured in this list who was named first-team All-Class 4, fought in the trenches for West Plains’ offense to put up 3,083 yards rushing this fall. The Zizzers averaged 8.3 yards per carry en route to a 10-2 record and Class 4 District 6 title. He has offers from Iowa State and Ball State, but he’s expected to go to Arkansas State, according to 247Sports.

Jimmy Lansing, 6-8, 295, Sr., Chaminade

Lansing is as good in the classroom as he is on the football field. The senior has carried a 4.0 GPA to this point and was named first-team All-State as a junior. He used his farewell campaign to lead the Red Devils’ rushing attack, one that featured running back Cam Epps going for 1,852 yards and 28 touchdowns. 

Caleb McCartney, 5-11, 210, Sr., East Buchanan

McCartney was named to Class 1’s first team alongside teammate Trevor Rush, and he was part of an offensive front that bulldozed the Bulldogs’ way toward the program’s first ever state title. They finished this fall 14-1, including a 21-7 win over Marceline in the Class 1 title game. 

Keanon McNally, 6-10, 285, Sr., Kearney

The Bulldogs didn’t have quite the season they hoped for, finishing 5-5 this fall. Their successes stemmed from the offense’s run game, though, which featured a McNally-led front that aided running back K.J. Smith to 1,367 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns. McNally committed to Tulane in August and was named a preferred walk-on at Missouri in November. 

Armand Membou, 6-4, 320, Sr., Lee’s Summit North

Membou helped the Broncos to a program-defining season this fall, finishing the year 11-2 and claiming the Class 6 District 3 title before losing to eventual champion Christian Brothers College in the semifinals. He was named first-team All-State and reeled in 10 Division I offers prior to committing to Missouri in March. 

Chase Moss, 6-0, 245, Jr., King City

Moss is the only 8-man lineman on this list, and it’s because his efforts helped pave the way for running back Parker Muff to rush for 2,287 yards and 43 touchdowns this fall. The Wildkats claimed the District 3 title before losing to eventual champion Drexel. Moss was named first-team All-State on the offensive line, though he was effective on the defensive line as well.

Wyatt Newcomer, 6-2, 285, Sr., Liberty North

Liberty North had one of the best seasons in the program’s history, making it all of the way to the Class 6 title game before losing to Christian Brothers College, and Newcomer was a key part in the Eagles’ Cayden Arzola-led rushing attack. Newcomer was named to the Class 5 first team after helping Arzola, his running back, to 1,200-plus yards rushing this fall.

Cartez Peoples, 6-0, 280, Sr., St. Mary’s

There aren’t too many people in the state that have been able to keep up with Peoples throughout the entirety of four quarters. He bullied opposing defensive linemen this fall, which allowed the St. Mary's offense to rush for 2,426 yards. The Dragons rode that rushing attack, along with standout receiver Kevin Coleman, to a 12-1 record, including a 56-0 win over St. Pius X to win the Class 3 title.

Logan Reichert, 6-7, 330, Jr., Raytown

Reichert will enter his senior season on the heels of a junior campaign that solidified him as one of the highest-rated recruits in the class of 2023. Raytown didn’t have the season it wanted, finishing 6-4, but the 6-foot-7 lineman helped the Blue Jays’ run game find success this fall. He currently possesses offers from Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Missouri and more.

Trevor Rush, 5-11, 230, Sr., East Buchanan

The Bulldogs rushed their way to the Class 1 title this season, and Trevor Rush — a first-team all-Class 1 selection — helped lead the charge. East Buchanan running back Trevor Klein had 1,709 yards rushing and 380 yards receiving. 

Caden Selle, 6-3, 265, Sr., Hannibal

Prior to his senior season, Selle was invited to participate in a couple of events, including Central Michigan’s camp, the Hawaii Bowl and the ESPN 300 Elite Underclassmen Camp. He used this fall to turn more attention his way, being named first-team All-Conference, All-District and All-State to lead Hannibal’s offensive front. 

Eddie Swisloski, 6-4, 330, Sr., Cabool

Swisloski was named to Class 1’s first team, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg as to how talented of an athlete he is. He’s also a basketball player and track standout, but he used this fall — and his 6-foot-4, 330-pound frame — to terrorize opposing defensive linemen. 

Dawson Tallent, 6-3, 270, Jr., Lutheran St. Charles

Tallent was named first-team All-Conference, All-State and All-District, and his efforts helped lead Lutheran St. Charles to a Class 2 title to cap off a 12-2 season. The Cougars’ offense was a key part in the title run, featuring standout running back Arlen Harris Jr. and one of the best offensive lines on that side of the state. He took a visit to Southern Illinois, though his market will continue to grow heading into his senior year.

Thomas Wasinger, 6-4, 275, Jr., St. Pius X (Kansas City)

Warriors running back Robbie Sharp rushed for 1,161 yards and 14 touchdowns this fall, and Wasinger was a main reason as to why. It was one of the best seasons in program history, reaching the Class 3 title game before losing to St. Mary’s. Wasinger, who also excels at track, was named first-team all-Class 3 as just a junior.

Tristan Wilson, 6-5, 295, Sr., Lebanon

Wilson is another one of the linemen committed to Missouri on this list, and he decided to stay home despite offers from Alabama, Kentucky, Arkansas, Baylor, Iowa State and more. His efforts paved the way for Lebanon to claim the Class 5 District 5 title before losing to eventual champion Webb City.