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

Over the next few weeks, we will be taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Iowa high school football. This list focuses on offensive linemen. 

There are hundreds of standout football players in Iowa and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Let us know about any other offensive linemen worthy of fans’ attention in 2023.

Evan Beck, 6-3, 250, Sr., Spirit Lake

Beck was a second team all-state pick as a junior and was named the Class 2A District 2 lineman of the year. Beck had 29 tackles during the regular season, 27 of them solo, and eight for loss.

Grant Brix, 6-6, 270, Sr., Logan-Magnolia

The four-star recruit still hasn’t made his decision, but it appears that Nebraska, Oklahoma and Kansas State may be the frontrunners for his services. Brix is the No. 5 offensive tackle in the country according to 247Sports. He’s the No. 1 prospect in the state of Iowa and has an extensive offer sheet that includes 24 Power 5 programs.

Logan Beatty, 6-2, 270, Sr., Denver

An IPSWA Second Team honoree in Class 1A, Beaty proved to be a force in the trenches for the Cyclones on both sides of the ball in 2022. Helping pave the way for 2,321 yards on the ground, Beaty provided Denver a strong leader on the offensive line according to head coach Rhett Barrett.“He is a great young man that brings intensity and focus in the classroom and on the field,” Barrett said. “A very humble young man.” On defense, Beaty finished third on Denver with 37 total tackles including four tackles for loss and a sack.

Brennen Blegen, 6-3, 270, Sr., Benton

Blegen is a standout on both the offensive and defensive line for the Bobcats. He was an all-district pick as a junior last season and this year anchored an offensive line that helped produce 2,008 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns in games through Oct. 13.

Nick Brooks, 6-8, 340, Jr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Brooks is a four-star recruit who has verbally committed to the University of Iowa. He chose the Hawks over Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida State. Brooks grew up in Cedar Rapids, attending Harding Middle School with many of his Kennedy teammates, but lived in Georgia the previous two years, where he became one of the top offensive line prospects in the country.

Mark Bussan, 6-6, 300, Sr., PCM

Bussan was a second team all-state selection by the Iowa Prep Sportswriters last season after anchoring a line that helped produce 1,909 yards and score 21 touchdowns. “I think that everybody if you’ve been watching PCM football for the last couple years you’re going to remember Mark Bussan because he’s 6’6” 300 pounds and can move like a tight end would,” said PCM coach Greg Bonnett. “He’s just an awesome guy to have for us. He can really take care of the line of scrimmage on offense.”

Carson Campisi, 6-5, 300, Sr. Southeast Polk

Campisi is a huge offensive tackle for the defending Class 5A state champions. The No. 1-ranked Rams have been consistent this season, with 1,680 passing and 1,406 rushing through Oct. 13. Prep Red Zone ranks Campisi as the No. 6 offensive line prospect in the state.

Noah Cornell, 5-11, 220, Sr., Greene County

A second team Class 2A all-stater as a junior. The Rams tallied 1,783 rushing yards (19th in the state) and 18 touchdowns (23rd) thanks to the protection of Cornell and company on the offensive line. The Rams also threw for 1,253 yards and 15 touchdowns. Defensively, Cornell recorded 13 total tackles.

Tono Cornell, 6-3, 280, Sr., Iowa City High

Cornell is ranked as the No. 5 offensive line prospect by Prep Red Zone and the No. 14 statewide. Cornell could fit in on either side of the ball, but it appears he has been recruited to Illinois State for defense.

Trevor Dieren, 6-4, 250, Sr., Central Lyon/George-Little Rock

Yes, players like Zac Lutmer and Reece Vander Zee are the most recognizable stars for the Lions, who won the Class 2A state title last season and are unbeaten again heading into the playoffs. But Dieren was also a first team all-state pick last season and has been a stalwart up front on both sides of the ball this season.

Tate Dierking, 6-3, 230, Sr., Southeast Warren

Dierking made the 8-player second team all-state team as an offensive lineman last season. He also played defense, and had 27.5 total tackles, 10.5 for loss and three sacks, helping the Warhawks win a district title and finish 9-2 overall following a second round playoff defeat. Dierking collected 37 tackles during this year’s regular season, 14.5 for loss.

Cody Fox, 6-4, 275, Sr., East Buchanan

Fox committed to the University of Iowa before his sophomore seasonl. The first team Class A all-state pick and four-star recruit chose Iowa quickly, but had offers from several other schools, including Notre Dame. His brother, Taylor, played four seasons for the Hawkeyes.

Brayden Harmon, 6-2, 260, Southeast Polk

Harmon was a second team all-state pick for the state champion Rams last season. Southeast Polk is again at the top of the heap this fall, passing for 1,680 yards and rushing for 1,406, thanks in part to the efforts of team captain Harmon.

Drew Hickey, 6-4, 220, Sr., ADM

Hickey is a three-year starter at left tackle for ADM and earned second team Class 3A all-state plaudits as a junior. The Tigers have rushed for 2,522 yards and 30 touchdowns this season.

Cade Hotz, 6-3, 280, Sr., Waverly-Shell Rock

The South Dakota State commit is a three-year starter for the Go-Hawks and played a key role in an offense that amassed 3,264 yards on the ground and 47 rushing touchdowns last season. Hotz was a Class 4A first team all-state pick.

Payton Jacobe, 6-3, 270, Sr., ACGC

Jacobe is already a two-time Class 1A all-stater, making the third team as a sophomore and the second team last season. The Chargers racked up an impressive 3,020 yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground this regular season.

Dax Judge, 6-3, 225, Iowa City High

Judge lines up on the interior line on both sides of the ball for the Little Hawks. He has 33.5 tackles, 10.0 for loss, in games through Oct. 13. City High’s offense has accounted for 1,875 passing yards (16 touchdowns) and 1,568 rushing yards (20 touchdowns).

Jacob Peters, 6-3, 265, Sr., Cedar Falls

The University of Nebraska commit helped the Tigers' offense record 1,787 rushing yards, 916 passing yards, and 30 touchdowns last season. He is ranked the No. 15 player in Iowa and the No. 111 inside offensive lineman in the nation by 247Sports Composite. He was a first team 5A all-state pick as a junior.

Hunter Pick, 6-2, 245, Sr., Remsen St. Mary’s

Pick earned second team all-state honors for the 8-player state champions last season. A two-way standout, he also had 16 tackles last season and finished with 10.5 during this regular season. Pick was also a member of the Hawks’ state championship baseball team last summer.

Kyle Rakers, 6-4, 290, West Des Moines Dowling

Rakers is verbally committed to Kansas State after reporting scholarship offers from Iowa State, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Illinois and others. The inside offensive lineman is the No. 12 player in Iowa, No. 74 player at his position in the country and a top-1,000 player nationwide, according to 247Sports Composite.

Jonah Reiling, 6-4, 280, Sr., Lisbon

A University of North Dakota commit, Reiling is a big reason why the Lions finished the regular season undefeated. Heading into the playoffs, Lisbon’s offense has generated 1,898 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns and the Lions scored 50 or more points in four games. Reiling had 20 tackles on defense but is seen as an offensive lineman at North Dakota.

Keaton Roskop, 6-3, 215, Linn-Mar

Unfortunately, Roskop’s senior season ended prematurely because of a torn ACL suffered in week 2. He has committed to Iowa State as a tight end and was a second team Class 5A all-stater as a junior.

Will Stobbe, 6-4, 285, Sr., Waukee

University of North Dakota commit Stobbe has helped the Warriors put up 1,421 rushing and 1,026 passing yards this season. He was a second team 5A all-state selection last season and plays on both sides of the ball.

Evan Vittetoe, 6-2, 220, Sr., Sigourney-Keota

Vittetoe made the Class 1A all-state second team as an offensive lineman but put up some impressive defensive numbers as a junior. He had 31.5 tackles and led the Cobras with three sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. This season, he anchored a line that helped produce 3,461 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns during the regular season.

Tate White, 6-2, 210, Sr., Nashua-Plainfield

White was an outstanding guard for a team that put up more than 2,800 yards of total offense last season. He landed on the Class 1A second team all-state squad last fall and is back at it again this season, helping N-P generate just as much offense en route to a playoff berth and also leading the team with 54 tackles.

--Barry Poe

Photo of Logan-Magnolia's Grant Brix courtesy of 247 Sports