California is home to three of the best tackle prospects in the country, and USC will be their home when their prep careers are done. Kalil is the best in the country, and Meyer, the top prospect in Northern California this year, is right behind him. Smith makes it a trio. Holmes is the best guard in the state and Galas the top center.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES:
1. Matt Kalil, Anaheim (Calif.) Servite- USC
The nation’s top offensive lineman, Kalil dominated the L.A. Scout.com Combine, earning Offensive MVP honors.
2. Matt Meyer, Stockton (Calif.) Lincoln- USC
One of the best offensive lineman to come out of Northern California in years, Meyer is an outstanding run-blocker.
3. Tyron Smith, Moreno Valley (Calif.) Rancho Verde- USC
The top prospect in the Inland Empire, Smith is arguably the best athlete from the offensive lineman class.
4. Tyler Rigsbee, Chico (Calif.) Pleasant Valley- Cal
The son of a coach, Rigsbee is another elite offensive lineman from NorCal.
5. Ryan Dannewitz, San Jacinto (Calif.)
Excels in pass blocking, which is good since San Jacinto throws a ton.
6. Jonathan Martin, North Hollywood (Calif.) Harvard-Westlake- UCLA
Another excellent athlete, Martin also plays basketball for the Wolverines.
7. Kyle Johnson, Norco (Calif.)
Has been a key figure on Norco’s always-outstanding offensive line, which has been one of the best in the state.
8. Trace Biskin, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian- Arizona
The lone holdover from a vaunted offensive line, Biskin is the star on the line for the Lions.
9. Connor Bradford, Palmdale (Calif)- UCLA
A strong summer catapulted him from unknown to Pac-10 commit.
10. Darren Koontz, Los Alamitos (Calif.)
A versatile two-way lineman for one of the better programs in Orange County.
The Next 5 (in alphabetical order):
Blake Lebeau, Union City (Calif.) James Logan
Gabriel Hampton, Hercules (Calif.)
Kevin Murphy, San Clemente (Calif.)
Matt Ross, West Hills (Calif.) Chaminade
Nik Embernate, Yucaipa (Calif.)
OFFENSIVE GUARDS:
1. Khaled Holmes, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
Coming back from a foot injury, Holmes is the best lineman in Orange County
2. Hamani Stevens, Hemet (Calif.)
On either side of the ball, Stevens is a tough load to handle
3. Allen Carroll, Oakland (Calif.) McClymonds
Carroll is one of the more athletic linemen in the region and the top line prospect in the Bay Area.
4. Vaughn Dotsy, Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure
At 367 pounds, Dotsy is a mammoth lineman, but he can move, running a 5.3 forty at the L.A. Scout.com Combine. He’ll also have the luxury of blocking for the nation’s best running back.
5. Max Tuioti-Mariner, Corona (Calif.)
Will miss his senior season with a torn ACL, but he’s still one of the best in the West.
6. A.J. Wallerstein, Canyon Country (Calif.) Canyon
May be the best pure run-blocker in the state, he’s started every game the last two years for the defending D-I state champions.
7. Jeff Baca, Mission Viejo (Calif.)- UCLA
One of the other top linemen in Orange County, Baca has been a mainstay on the Diablos offensive line.
8. Kyle Quinn, Brentwood (Calif.) Liberty- Arizona
One of the most polished linemen in the state, Quinn also played volleyball, showing off his athleticism.
9. Colin Lyons-Pena, Fair Oaks (Calif.) Del Campo- Oregon State
Was a major reason Del Campo won their CIF Section Title.
10. Daniel Bernard, Colton (Calif.)
“Big Tex” has one of the nastiest mean streaks you’ll see of any Cali linemen.
The Next 10 (in alphabetical order)
Andrew Sims, Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure
Austin Hill, Los Alamitos (Calif.)
Erik Quinones, Lake Elsinore (Calif.) Temescal Canyon
James Robinson, Richmond (Calif.) Salesian
Jason Koontz, Corona (Calif.) Santiago
Jordan Allred, Thousand Oaks (Calif.)
Larry Thompson, Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame
Patelesio Leilua, Lawndale (Calif.) Leuzinger
Sam Brenner, Oceanside (Calif.)- Utah
Tim Hodgdon, Las Flores (Calif.) Tesoro
CENTERS:
1. Dominic Galas, Modesto (Calif.) Central Catholic
MVP performance at Stanford Nike Camp showed that Galas’ size shouldn’t be an issue, because the kid can play.
2. Jason Heath, Loomis (Calif.) Del Oro- UNLV
Heath will anchor the line for one of the top teams in NorCal
3. Corey Page-Skolnik, San Diego (Calif.) Scripps Ranch
4. Chris Perham, Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure
5. Derek Bickford, Newhall (Calif.) Hart