Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The YPS Top 40 is an eight-story series highlight 40 of the top returning football players in the Your Prep Sports area by position group.

Over the past three days the YPS Top 40 series has highlighted the offensive skill positions, starting with quarterbacks followed by running backs and pass catchers.

Today the shift is to the big guys up front for the final offensive article in the series as Your Prep Sports takes a look at some of the best returning offensive linemen in the area.

Over the next several days four other position groups on defense and special teams will be featured.

Grant Wilson

Senior, Solon

With three senior starters from last year’s offensive line lost to graduation Solon will be rebuilding up front in 2024.

The Spartans have a cornerstone piece in the middle of its line to build around in Wilson.

A three-year starter at center Wilson will be the veteran on what will be an inexperienced but talented Solon front five.

The 5-foot-10, 250-pound Wilson earned second-team Class 3A all-state honors after helping Solon average 30.3 points, 301 total yards and 163 rushing yards per game while going 10-2 and reaching the 3A state semifinals last fall.

Tyler Rindels

Senior, City High

A Northern Illinois recruit, Rindels is one of the top tackles in the state and will serve as an anchor on the left side of what should be a strong Little Hawk offensive line this fall.

Rindels is a three-year starter on the offensive line and has earned all-district honors each of the past two seasons.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Rindels is coming off a junior season in which he helped pave the way for City High to average 33.5 points and 436 total yards per game, including 182 rushing yards, while going 6-4 and reaching the Class 4A playoffs.

An excellent athlete for an offensive lineman, Rindels fills an important position at left tackle for a City High team that attempted 250 passes last season, the seventh most in Class 5A.

Matt Colony

Senior, Regina

Colony returns as the anchor on a Regina line that will be replacing three graduated seniors that were all multi-year starters.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Colony is a great piece for the new-look Regal line to build around this season.

A first-team all-district selection a year ago, Colony had his best season as a prep last fall helping Regina to a 9-2 record and a spot in the Class 1A quarterfinals.

Colony helped pave the way for Regina to average 38.7 points and 356 total yards per game last season including 127 rushing yards per game.

Michael Montgomery

Junior, West Branch

West Branch has a long and storied history of producing outstanding lineman on both sides of the ball.

Montgomery is well on his way to being next on that list of stellar Bear lineman.

The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Montgomery is already a two-year starter and will look to take the step into the category of top lineman in Class 1A this season.

A force on both sides of the line with an impressive combination of size and agility Montgomery made 14 tackles with 3.5 for loss and a sack as a two-way starter a year ago.

The length and footwork of Montgomery who is also a impact player on the basketball team makes him a natural offensive lineman and he will looked upon to be a leader on a Bear front that must replace several starters lost to graduation.

Colin Whitters

Junior, West High

One of the top offensive line prospects in the state Whitters enters his junior season already with a pair of impressive collegiate offers to his credit.

The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Whitters picked up offers from both Iowa and Iowa State during the offseason and is now looking to cement his status as one of the state’s most dominant lineman on the field this fall.

Whitters was an all-conference and all-district pick as a defensive lineman last season when he made 20 tackles with four tackles for loss from his tackle spot.

While he will likely still see some snaps on the defensive side of the ball this season the future for Whitters is likely on offense and he will look to help anchor a young West High offensive line this fall.

Calin Wagner

Senior, City High

A stalwart on the offensive line for City High line the past three seasons Wagner is the player that head coach Mitchell Moore calls the catalyst for everything the Little Hawks do up front.

Wagner is a three-year starter and was an honorable mention all-Mississippi Valley Conference selection last season after helping the Little Hawks average better than 33 points and 436 total yards per game.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Wagner is bigger and stronger than he was a year ago and will start at center this season after playing across the line the past two years.

Wagner provides a versatile piece of the offensive line with his athleticism and ability to move at the center spot.

Caleb Burnett

Senior, Liberty High

Liberty High will have a lot of new faces on its offense this season including at quarterback with the departure of standout Graham Beckman.

Burnett will be a huge key in keeping whoever lines up behind center comfortable as the lone returning starter up front for Liberty High.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Burnett is a strong player that will look to lock down a tackle spot on a new-look Lightning offensive line.

While his on-field play will be important for Liberty High this fall the leadership from Burnett will be just as big, especially early as the Lightning look to break in an inexperienced group of linemen.

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