Indiana

Top 20 offensive linemen in Indiana high school football in 2024

Published

1 year ago

October 10, 2024

Press Room

Top 20 offensive linemen in Indiana high school football in 2024

We’re taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Indiana high school football.

This list focuses on the state’s top offensive linemen.

There are plenty of standout football players in Indiana, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Tag us on X or Instagram at @SBLiveIN to discuss the other offensive linemen worthy of fans’ attention in 2024.

The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Abbs is a versatile offensive lineman with excellent balance. The Illinois State commit started at tackle as a junior and has moved inside to center for his senior season. He was a Class 6A junior all-state pick last year.

A four-year starter on Mishawaka Marian’s offensive line, Garcia-De La Torre is an under-the-radar prospect who plays with tremendous physicality. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Swiss army knife received Class 3A junior all-state honors last season.

The top-rated offensive tackle prospect in Indiana, Gorin has a solid frame (6-foot-5, 270 pounds) and excellent feet. The Purdue commit made the Class 6A junior all-state team last year.

Another four-year starter, Harriman did not surrender a sack during his junior season. The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder holds a Division I offer from Campbell.

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Herron is capable of playing anywhere on the offensive line for Warren Central. A Class 6A junior all-state recipient last fall, Herron is committed to Iowa.

Huggins is an advanced blocker who excels in pass protection and the run game. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound senior’s offers include Ball State and Colorado State. He was a Class 6A junior all-state selection last season.

The 6-foot-5, 280-pound Johnson is a standout pass blocker at the offensive tackle position. He holds offers from Kentucky and Maryland, among others.

A three-sport athlete who also competes in wrestling and track, Juris made the Class 4A junior all-state team in football last year. The 6-foot, 250-pounder also gets it done at defensive tackle.

Kinsinger is a massive offensive tackle prospect at 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds. He holds Division I offers from Akron and Indiana State.

A standout wrestler, the 6-foot-4, 285-pound Murphy knows how to use his athleticism on the football field. He is committed to Air Force.

The top-rated junior offensive line prospect in Indiana, Novak already looks the part of a Division I lineman at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds. He made the Class 2A junior all-state team last season and holds early offers from Indiana, Kentucky and Wisconsin, among others.

Brownsburg has the look of a Class 6A state champion this season, and a group of linemen led by Ortiz is a big reason. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Ortiz started every game for the Bulldogs last year and brings physicality to the team’s high-flying attack.

The 6-foot-3, 313-pound Parciak helped lead NorthWood to the Class 4A state title game last season. The Ball State commit made the 4A junior all-state team.

An Indiana commit, the 6-foot-4, 295-pound Parker is a dominant piece up front for Carmel. He tallied 52 pancake blocks during his junior season en route to Class 6A junior all-state honors.

The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Riddle recorded a Heritage single-season record 82 pancake blocks as a junior en route to Class 3A junior all-state honors. He is also a standout track and field thrower.

Salih is an interior offensive lineman who plays guard and center for Avon. The rising 6-foot-3, 280-pound senior holds an offer from Wabash College.

Sanders is another versatile blocker who can fill multiple roles on the offensive line for defending Class 6A state champion Ben Davis. The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder holds multiple Division I offers.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Smythe made the Class 5A junior all-state team last fall. The physical junior also plays baseball for Franklin Community.

Veluri is a 6-foot-5, 275-pound offensive lineman with a 7-1 wingspan. He will play college football at the next level for Army.

Nicknamed “Bam,” Williams Jr. has quick feet and the ability to move people in the run game. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound junior holds an offer from Miami (Ohio).

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Oregon OC Will Stein blames turnovers for CFP loss to Indiana Hoosiers

Published

3 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Oregon OC Will Stein blames turnovers for CFP loss to Indiana Hoosiers

The Oregon Ducks’ season has ended in heartbreak for the second-straight season. They advanced farther than they did last year, reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals before they succumbed to the red-hot Indiana Hoosiers.

In the days leading up to the rematch, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning spoke about what needed to change from the last matchup, and the turnover battle was one of the things he spoke most passionately about. There is no way he can be happy after the Ducks lost the turnover battle 3-0, with each one leading to easy points for the Hoosiers.

Offensive coordinator Will Stein was asked to reflect on this aspect after the game, and he had this to say, “We just spotted these guys 21 points. You know, it’s hard to win when you turn the ball over three times in your own territory, plus a pick six.”

Oregon’s defense wasn’t great in this game either, but a lot of their struggles were the result of being asked to shut down an Indiana offense that was often set up in or near the red zone. Stein acknowledged this in his answer, telling reporters, “You don’t do anything good for your defense in that aspect. So obviously, poor job by us taking care of the ball, and it was obviously the big difference in the game.

The Hoosiers scored 28 points off Ducks turnovers, which ended up being the key difference in the 34-point loss. It also doesn’t feel farfetched to believe that Oregon would have played with much more fire if the turnovers didn’t put the game out of reach.

This game will leave a sour taste in this group’s mouth because they know things will never be the same. Stein and Tosh Lupoi are going off to lead their own teams now, along with a ton of uncertainty about which players will remain in Eugene after this loss.

The Ducks had a prime opportunity to achieve glory, but they came up just short yet again thanks to a slew of giveaways.

Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.

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Why Indiana football regretted one Fernando Mendoza play

Published

15 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Why Indiana football regretted one Fernando Mendoza play

ATLANTA — Indiana football quarterback Fernando Mendoza has burned teams throughout the College Football Playoff with his scrambling ability.

Mendoza was lights out through the air in a 56-22 win over Oregon in the Peach Bowl on Friday night, but he made a handful of plays with his legs again starting with a 21-yard gain early in the second quarter that helped the No. 1 Hoosiers (15-0) flip the field.

Mendoza’s sneaky athleticism has put pressure on defenses already struggling to contain IU’s impressive arsenal of skill players, but there came a time in the CFP semifinals where the coaching staff asked him to put that scrambling ability in his back pocket and keep it there.

“Coach (Chandler) Whitmer was in his ear about getting down as quickly as possible,” Indiana offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan told The Herald-Times.

Re-live IU’s 2025 season

The Heisman winner had the large contingent of IU fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium holding their breath while he was weaving through defenders and taking hits with his team up by four possessions coming out of halftime.

Mendoza lost the ball in the third quarter while getting tripped up from behind on a run up the middle after busting out a spin move on the play to gain extra yards.

While the coaching staff appreciates Mendoza’s competitiveness, they didn’t want him putting himself at risk with the team less than two quarters away from playing in the national title game.

“We were very conscious (of the situation),” Shanahan said after the game.

Mendoza had one more carry after that off an RPO near the goal line right after IU blocked a punt. It was a play call that Shanahan immediately regretted with Oregon loading up the box.

“That wasn’t the best position to put him in,” he said.

Mendoza closed out the game for the Hoosiers under center by simply handing the ball off while the Hoosiers put the finishing touches on another lopsided win. He threw for 177 yards (17 of 20) and finished the game with more passing touchdowns (five) than incompletions (three) for the sixth time this season.

Oregon’s Dan Lanning had high praise for Mendoza’s overall performance after the game, but he became the latest in a long line of opposing coaches to mention his scrambling ability in the same breath as his arm talent.

“The guy makes the right decisions,” Lanning said. “You consistently see if he sees the right coverage, you know, he takes the ball where it’s supposed to go, dictated by coverage. I think he did a great job again on the scrambles early. I thought we had him boxed up in the third down early in the game, which was critical and was able to scramble for a first down.”

Shanahan underlined Mendoza’s decision-making as well in talking about the growth he’s seen from the quarterback this season and his improvisational skills (and when to use them) are a big part of that.

“He makes my life and my job so much easier,” Shanahan said. “I think he’s playing his best ball right now. I don’t know if that was the confidence he got from winning Heisman or beating Ohio State, I feel like we are on the right path. We got one more to go.”

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

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Live updates: Indiana vs. Oregon in the College Football Playoff semifinal

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Live updates: Indiana vs. Oregon in the College Football Playoff semifinal

Atlanta will host a top-five Big Ten rematch in the Peach Bowl on Friday. No. 1 Indiana will take on No. 5 Oregon in a semifinal of the College Football Playoff for a chance to compete for a national championship. The Hoosiers won the regular-season matchup 30-20. This is the fifth all-time meeting between the teams, with the series tied 2-2.

Both defenses have proved stout, making the offenses the biggest determining factor in this game. Indiana is second in scoring defense, while Oregon is close behind at sixth. The Hoosiers have the advantage on the line, giving up the third-fewest rushing yards in the nation. Oregon, however, has the edge in the air, allowing the ninth-fewest passing yards. The Ducks also pitched a shutout in the Orange Bowl against Texas Tech.

The Hoosiers didn’t skip a beat on offense, handing Alabama its first 30-point loss this side of the new millennium. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza was highly efficient, going 14-of-16 with three touchdowns and no interceptions. That efficiency has helped Indiana earn the top seed; the Hoosiers have committed the fewest penalties of any CFP team and have the fourth-fewest penalty yards in the nation.

Oregon, meanwhile, struggled to score for most of its quarterfinal matchup against Texas Tech. The Ducks didn’t reach the end zone until 11:20 remained in the third quarter and rushed for just 64 yards. Dante Moore threw for 234 yards but had no touchdowns, an interception and minus-12 rushing yards due to constant pressure.

Indiana is the favorite, but Oregon has been one of the strongest units in the country, with its lone loss coming against the Hoosiers. Will the Ducks learn from their earlier mistakes, or will Indiana continue one of the most dominant runs of the CFP era?

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