Rising Stars on the Line
The 2026 Mississippi high school football season is set to kick off in just a couple of months, and the buzz around the offensive line is already palpable. The Clarion Ledger has compiled a list of the top returning linemen, spotlighting the players who will anchor their teams' attacks.
Among the standouts is Kaeden Addison from South Pike, a three‑star recruit who already holds an offer from Ole Miss, while Antonio Berry of Tupelo, a four‑star commit to the same program, helped his squad reach the MHSAA 7A title game last year. Both bring a blend of size, technique and leadership that coaches expect to translate into immediate impact.
Other notable names include Akiylan Burnett of Picayune, a second‑team All‑State selection, and DJ Dotson from Oak Grove, a three‑star prospect committed to Georgia. Meanwhile, PJ Evans at Jackson Academy is drawing attention from a quartet of Power Five programs — Ole Miss, Florida, Georgia and Auburn — signaling a fierce recruitment battle.
The list also features commitments to a range of collegiate programs, from Ohio State and Louisiana Tech to Baylor and North Carolina. Players such as Caden Moss, an Ohio State commit and the second‑ranked recruit in the state, and Gage Luther, a Memphis pledge, illustrate the national reach of Mississippi’s talent pipeline.
Coaches and analysts alike see these linemen as key pieces in shaping not only their high school teams but also the future of college football in the region. With several squads having captured recent state titles, the upcoming season promises competitive matchups and a showcase of the state’s depth at the line of scrimmage.
As the teams gear up for the first games, the excitement extends beyond the field, with fans and recruiters watching closely to see how these prospects will perform under the bright lights of Friday night lights. The upcoming season may well serve as a proving ground for many of these athletes as they aim to cement their rankings and secure future scholarships.