
Youth Football’s Top Offensive & Defensive Linemen (6U–14U)
Championships are built in the trenches long before they’re celebrated in the end zone.
While skill players draw the highlights and headlines, the true foundation of youth football dominance is forged snap by snap at the line of scrimmage — where leverage, violence, technique, and will decide outcomes before the ball ever leaves the quarterback’s hands. Trench Titans 2026 was created to shine a national spotlight on the young linemen who control games, dictate tempo, and impose their will on every opponent unlucky enough to line up across from them.
From dominant road-grading offensive linemen who move piles and open highways in the run game, to relentless defensive disruptors who live in backfields and erase offensive game plans, this feature identifies the nation’s most impactful youth trench players across the 6U–14U levels. These evaluations are not based on hype alone — they are built from live game film, national showcase performances, championship moments, and consistent dominance against elite competition.
What separates a Trench Titan isn’t just size or strength. It’s motor. It’s mindset. It’s technique under pressure. It’s the ability to rise in the biggest moments — AYF Nationals, YNC Championships, FBU stages, All-Star showcases — and still control the line of scrimmage when everyone knows the ball is coming their way.
The players featured in Trench Titans 2026 represent the present and future of the game. Many are already reshaping expectations at the youth level, some are knocking on varsity doors, and others are just beginning to tap into five-star potential. All of them share one thing in common: the game bends to their will in the trenches.
This is where football starts.
This is where dominance lives.
These are the Trench Titans.

Mekhi Hester
OL | 6’5” 290 lbs | J. Lewis Invictus Middle (GA) | Class of 2030
Skinny :
Mekhi Hester is the type of youth prospect that immediately alters the geometry of the field. At 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds, he’s impossible to miss, but what separates Hester from other oversized youth linemen is that he knows exactly how to use his frame. He isn’t just big — he’s coordinated, athletic, and technically ahead of the curve.
Hester first jumped off the film dominating a middle school matchup on both sides of the ball, where his engagement level and natural disruption were most noticeable on the defensive line. However, extended evaluation settings tell the full story. At FBU competing in the GFL circuit — one of the premier measuring sticks for elite national talent — Hester lined up exclusively at left tackle and looked every bit the part of a future varsity cornerstone.
What stands out most is his range and movement ability. Tall teenage tackles often struggle with balance and body control, but Hester shows advanced coordination, sealing the edge cleanly and extending along the perimeter without clogging running lanes. He fires off the snap with above-average lateral agility, routinely erasing linebackers before they can scrape to the hole.
In pass protection, Hester’s quick feet allow him to get into his kick slide efficiently, neutralizing speed rushers and controlling the pocket with length and leverage. As he continues to add functional strength through a structured high school training program, his ability to anchor against bull rushes will only improve. Georgia is known for producing elite offensive linemen, and Mekhi Hester sits firmly at the top of his class — a future varsity starter from Day One.

Victor Mann II
DT | DEA (TX) 12U | Class of 2031
Skinny :
Victor Mann II doesn’t fit the typical mold — and that’s what makes him terrifying. While many multi-sport linemen rely solely on size, Mann brings elite agility and fluid movement, traits more common to a basketball wing than a trench defender. That athletic translation is obvious the moment he lines up.
Mann is a relentless interior disruptor with a non-stop motor and long wingspan, allowing him to penetrate gaps quickly and finish plays behind the line of scrimmage. His confidence is as loud as his production — he expects to win every one-on-one rep, and more often than not, he does.
At 250-plus pounds with basketball-verified athleticism, Mann flashes rare acceleration and change of direction. His first step is explosive, his hand usage is advanced for his age, and his footwork allows him to disengage cleanly from blockers. Offenses don’t get a breather when Mann is on the field — his combination of effort, technique, and physical tools makes him a constant problem in the backfield.

Leonidas Vaofusi
OG / DT | Benson Bruins (WA) 13U | Class of 2030
Skinny :
Leonidas Vaofusi embodies what coaches mean when they say “built for the trenches.” Whether lining up at offensive guard or defensive tackle, Vaofusi brings the same violent mindset and imposing presence.
As a guard, he is a true mauler — powerful at the point of attack, balanced through contact, and consistently finishing blocks at the second level. He thrives in the run game, where his lower-body strength and quickness allow him to drive defenders backward and create clean running lanes. His comfort zone is between the tackles, but his athleticism also makes him effective as a pulling guard.
Vaofusi’s fit in Benson’s wedge-based offense was perfect, as his nasty streak and road-grader mentality consistently wore down opponents. That dominance translated to the national stage, where he was the most impressive interior lineman at AYF Nationals, imposing his will snap after snap. With continued refinement in pass protection, Vaofusi projects as a tone-setting interior lineman at the high school level.

Dontavius “DJ” Davis
DT | Georgia Eagles 12U | Class of 2031
Skinny :
Dontavius “DJ” Davis has taken a significant leap forward, both physically and technically. While his size immediately grabs attention, it’s his motor and competitive fire that separate him from his peers.
Davis plays with infectious intensity and natural leadership, flipping the switch when the moment demands it. His length is a major asset, allowing him to keep blockers off his chest and finish plays with authority. He combines strength with refined pass-rush technique, showing a lethal first-step burst and a devastating rip move that offensive linemen struggled to counter.
His performance against DEA in the National Title game was a statement. Despite it being his team’s lone loss, Davis dominated the trenches, recording over four sacks and multiple tackles for loss, earning Defensive MVP honors. With proper development, Davis has every trait to become a five-star caliber high school defensive lineman.

MJ Hepburn
OG | AK Boyz (FL) 13U | Class of 2030
Skinny :
M.J. Hepburn is the definition of a tone-setter. A pure power-based interior lineman, Hepburn excels at generating movement in the run game, extending his hands and driving defenders through the whistle.
As the anchor of the most dominant 13U rushing attack at the YNC National Championship, Hepburn embraced the responsibility of setting the physical tone. His frame, strength, and mean streak project well to the high school level, where he profiles as a punishing guard capable of controlling the interior. While his pass protection continues to develop, the foundation is undeniable — Hepburn is built to impose his will.

Daylen Williams
OT / DE | 6’4” 245 lbs | OG Ducks (CA) | Class of 2030
Skinny :
Daylen Williams is a high-upside, position-flexible prospect with rare size and athleticism at the youth level. Blessed with long arms and a wide wingspan, Williams naturally fits at offensive tackle, where his length keeps defenders from accessing his chest.
He moves more like a basketball forward than a lineman, showing fluidity, balance, and body control while driving defenders downfield. While his speed makes him intriguing as a defensive end, his offensive upside is hard to ignore.
Williams is currently more comfortable moving forward in the run game than retreating in pass protection, but as his balance and technique improve, his ceiling continues to rise. Few prospects his size move this well — a long-term tackle with massive upside.

Uelese Fomai
DT | 6’1” 260 lbs | Benson Bruins (CA) 13U | Class of 2030
Skinny :
Uelese Fomai may look like a tweener at first glance, but once the ball is snapped, his explosiveness becomes undeniable. He plays with a quick first step and relentless motor, consistently disrupting run fits and collapsing pockets.
Fomai’s physicality catches larger linemen off guard, and his fearlessness in one-on-one situations shows up early and often. At AYF Nationals, he established himself as one of the premier interior defenders in the country, using strength, leverage, and effort to dominate. He’s a true Trench Titan whose impact goes beyond the stat sheet.

Kohlton Harris
OT | 6’5” 260 lbs | FTL Hurricanes (FL) 13U | Class of 2030
Skinny :
Kohlton Harris is the total package. If there were a combine built strictly for trench dominance, Harris would dominate every measurable. While he flashes on the defensive line, his projection as an offensive tackle earns him a five-star grade.
Harris plays with a nasty edge, consistently overwhelming opponents with physicality and effort. His athleticism allows him to move at a different speed than most linemen his size — even earning goal-line reps at fullback. While his run blocking is already elite, refining his pass-protection hand placement will elevate him into rare territory. Harris projects as an instant-impact freshman with sky-high upside.

Jaylen Ward
DE | 6’3” 205 lbs | OC Buckeyes (CA) 14U | Class of 2030
Skinny :
Jaylen Ward’s versatility and polish make him one of the most high school-ready edge defenders at the youth level. Comfortable standing up or playing with his hand in the dirt, Ward brings explosive edge pressure with strength and technique.
He combines long arms, quick get-off, and stout run defense, allowing him to both rush the passer and set the edge. At YNC Nationals, Ward was unblockable, recording four sacks while helping the OC Buckeyes secure their third straight 14U national title. Ward is next in line in a storied pipeline and projects as an early-impact high school pass rusher.

Kaleb Herndon
DE | 6’5” 230 lbs | OG Ducks (CA) 14U | Class of 2030
Skinny :
Kaleb Herndon’s developmental arc is exactly what scouts hope to see. A top prospect since 10U, Herndon has grown every year — physically, technically, and mentally.
He’s a rangy edge rusher with disruptive length, sudden movement skills, and sideline-to-sideline range. His athleticism allows him to project as either a defensive end or an outside linebacker in a 3–4 scheme. While added strength will help him at the point of attack, his tools are undeniable. Herndon is a high-ceiling defender with positional versatility.

Eden Calderon
OL | 6’3½” 285 lbs | Prime City Boyz Elite (CA) 14U | Class of 2030
Skinny :
Eden Calderon is a technician — a rare label for youth offensive linemen. His fundamentals are sound, his focus is elite, and his consistency stands out against top-tier competition.
Calderon excelled in pass protection during the West Coast All-Star showcase, neutralizing some of the region’s best edge rushers. He plays with leadership, discipline, and a workmanlike approach. While not a pure speed lineman, his technique, versatility, and football IQ make him a reliable multi-position offensive lineman with high school starter written all over him.

Jace Connelly
DE | 6’3” 195 lbs | MAC Dolphins | Class of 2030
Skinny :
Jace Connelly’s rise has been meteoric. After dominating the RNR Top 100 Syracuse event and earning his first offer, Connelly has continued to grow — literally and figuratively.
Now taller, stronger, and faster, he possesses one of the most complete athletic profiles in his class. A blur off the edge, Connelly can win with speed or power and overwhelm linemen with ease. His versatility allows him to project at multiple positions, but his true value lies in his ability to wreck game plans from the edge.

Dexter “Big Dex” Morgan
DE | 5’10” 225 lbs | Mater Academy | Class of 2031
Skinny :
Dexter Morgan’s 2025 résumé is almost unheard of — competing at the rec, middle school, and varsity levels as a seventh grader. Big Dex thrives on challenges, and his production proves he belongs.
His first step is lethal, his motor relentless, and his versatility allows him to impact games from multiple defensive line spots. While undersized by traditional metrics, his strength, explosiveness, and experience make him a disruptive force. His 2025 exposure will pay dividends as he competes for a future varsity starting role.

Marquise Williams
OL / DL | 6’2”-280 | OG Ducks (CA) | Class of 2031
Skinny :
Marquice Williams is a true enforcer. Dominant on both sides of the ball, he uses brute force, precise footwork, and finishing ability to overwhelm opponents.
Williams explodes through defenders, creating displacement and stacking pancakes with authority. When climbing to the second level, he shows impressive reach and targeting ability. Still developing at both positions, Williams is a cornerstone piece as the OG Ducks push toward a 13U National Championship run in 2026.

Raiden Campos
DT | Brick City (FL) 11U | Class of 2032
Skinny :
Raiden Campos has already established himself as the gold standard for 2032 defensive linemen, and offensive coordinators know exactly where he is lined up before the ball is even snapped. Campos plays the game with a disruptive presence that forces offenses to alter protections and abandon comfort early.
Coached by offensive line legends the Pouncey Brothers, Campos benefits from elite trench tutelage well beyond his age group. His brief experience on the offensive line only enhanced his defensive profile, giving him a deeper understanding of leverage, hand placement, and how blockers think. That knowledge shows up every snap when he’s dismantling protection schemes from the inside.
During the 2025 season, Campos played both ways, which at times tested his stamina, but it never dulled his impact. Refusing to give less than 100 percent, he still posted a career year in sacks and tackles for loss, dominating games through sheer will and physicality.
Campos is a true man-child at the youth level. He takes on blocks head-up, generates knock-back with a powerful bull rush, and has the athleticism to win laterally when plays stretch. His hands are a weapon — violent, quick, and intentional — allowing him to disengage and live in opponents’ backfields.
With a five-star skill set and advanced trench IQ, Campos is only scratching the surface of his potential. As his conditioning, specialization, and physical development continue to progress, he projects as a foundational interior defensive force and a future national name in the trenches.



























