Editors note: This is the fourth article in the eight-part “YPS Top 50” series from Your Prep Sports highlighting 50 of the top returning football players for the 2025 season.

Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The YPS Top 50 is an eight-story series that highlights 50 of the top returning football players in the Your Prep Sports area by position group.

Over the past several days articles featuring the top returning quarterbacks, running backs and pass catchers have opened up the eight-piece series.

Next up is the big guys up front as Your Prep Sports takes a look at some of the top returning offensive lineman in the area.

In the coming days four other position groups – defensive line, linebacker, defensive back and special teams – will all be highlighted.

Here is a look at six of the top returning offensive lineman in the area.

Colin Whitters

Senior, West High

One of the top linemen and overall best players in the state Whitters returns after an all-state season last fall to anchor a West High offensive line that expects to be one of the best in Class 5A.

Whitters earned first team all-district, all-Mississippi Valley Conference and Class 5A all-state honors last fall following a junior season in which he established himself as one of the most dominant offensive lineman in the state.

An Iowa commit, Whitters is the fifth ranked prospect in the state of Iowa by 247 Sports and chose the Hawkeyes over offers from Iowa State and Kansas State.

The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Whitters is an impressive athlete capable of dominating at the point of attack.

A three-sport athlete, Whitters is also a contributor in basketball and won a state title in the shot put last spring.

Look for an impressive final season for Whitters as West High looks to improve on its 6-5 record from a year ago.

Jaryn Sertterh

Senior, Liberty High

Last season Sertterh was a key piece of a Liberty High offensive line that paved the way for the one of the most productive offenses in Class 5A.

Sertterh was a second team all-district and honorable mention all-Mississippi Valley Conference selection last season after helping Liberty High average 40.3 points and 433 total yards per game while advancing to the 5A semifinals for the first time in program history.

The 6-foot, 245-pound Sertterh will be an anchor on the Liberty High line this season and has the athleticism and versatility to play a number of spots up front.

Lucas Feuerbach

Junior, Solon

A dominator on both sides of the ball last season Feuerbach has quickly built a reputation as one of the top two-way linemen in the state.

Feuerbach was a Class 3A second-team all-state pick last season as an offensive lineman after helping pave the way for a Solon offense that averaged 31.6 points and 363 yards per game as the Spartans won eight games and advanced to the second round of the 3A playoffs.

The 6-foot-2, 260-pound Feuerbach was a disruptive force on the defensive line ranking sixth on the team with 28.5 tackles including five for loss and a sack.

Already a two-year starter after making several starts as a freshman in 2023, Feuerbach is strong, explosive and now experienced and should be even more dominant on both sides of the ball this season.

A state runner-up in wrestling last season, Feuerbach has the combination of strength, size and athleticism that makes him a rising college prospect.

James Barnett

Sophomore, West High

It is rare for a freshman to work his way onto the field in Class 5A football and even more uncommon for a freshman to find playing time at the line of scrimmage.

However, that is what Barnett did last season earning reps on both the offensive and defensive line for West High as the Trojans went 6-5 and advanced to the Class 5A state quarterfinals.

With a year of high school experience look for a huge season from Barnett who flashed his massive potential last season.

Barnett had 10 tackles from his defensive end spot a year ago while earning honorable mention all-Mississippi Valley Conference honors and will be a key piece on both lines for the Trojans this season.

The 6-foot-1, 255-pound Barnett could be a huge piece of a West High offensive line that will attempt to ease the transition for a first-year starting quarterback for the Trojans.

Michael Montgomery

Senior, West Branch

West Branch has a long history of producing excellent lineman and Montgomery appears poised to continue that tradition.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Montgomery is a two-way standout playing important roles on both the offensive and defensive lines but will be extremely important for the Bears on offense this season as West Branch must restock up front.

Montgomery should be a center piece on both lines this fall.

Already a two-year starter, Montgomery has racked up 40.5 tackles, including 7.5 for loss and three sacks the past two seasons.

Look for a huge season from Montgomery this fall as West Branch looks to improve on its 3-7 record from last season.

Preston Mensah

Junior, City High

Mensah impressed in his first season in the lineup last season as he started nine games on a City High offensive line that helped the Little Hawks 38 points and 450 total yards per game.

The lone returning starter from last year’s line that was among the best in the state, Mensah will be a huge key as City High looks to continue it’s strong play up front.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Mensah is an impressive athlete at his size and has the ability to be dominate at the point of attack from his tackle spot.

Mensah should continue to improve with more game action this season as he looks to establish himself as one of the best offensive linemen in the state.

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