Update, Aug. 13: Congratulations to Louis Esposito of Saline for being voted the Detroit Free Press Buffalo Wild Wings Best Offensive Lineman for 2026.
It's time to vote for the Detroit Free Press Buffalo Wild Wings Best Offensive Lineman for 2026.
Michigan high school football is finally here. Teams across the state are taking the field for the first practices of the season, preparing for kickoff on Thursday, Aug. 27.
This week, we continue asking Free Press readers to weigh in on who they think are the state's top football players at each position. After voting for the best quarterback, running back and pass-catcher, it's time to turn the attention to the trenches. Readers can now vote for Michigan's top offensive lineman entering the 2026 season.
Voting will close at noon on Thursday, Aug. 13.
Here are the nominees:
Grant Adloff, East Grand Rapids
The four-year starter earned Division 3 All-State honors after playing nearly every snap on both sides of the ball. East Grand Rapids finished 9-3 and reached the regional final. Adloff is committed to Michigan State and will reportedly enroll early following the season.
Eric Anderson, Novi Detroit Catholic Central
Anderson is one of nine returning starters for the defending Division 1 state champion Shamrocks. Listed at 6 feet 5 and 295 pounds, the senior left tackle will play an important role in protecting fellow classmate and quarterback Duke Banta while paving the way for the team's new running back duo of Ryan Jaafar and JJ Chevalier. Voted a team captain by his teammates, Anderson will help lead Catholic Central's pursuit of a second straight state title.
Jack Carlson, Brighton
Carlson is a three-year starter for the Bulldogs and will anchor the left tackle position this season. The senior also contributes at defensive end, and his 6-7, 265-pound frame provides Brighton with a versatile presence on both sides of the ball.
Louis Esposito, Saline
Esposito will be a key piece to a Saline team looking to remain a contender after losing star quarterback Tommy Carr. The senior is a versatile offensive lineman who can play any position up front. He earned All-State honors last season while helping the team post a 10-2 record and reach the regional finals.
Jameer Henry, Detroit King
Henry is the leader of a Detroit King offense loaded with talent that includes his younger brother, junior Jordan Henry, along with junior Elijah Willis and senior Trevor Dhue-Reid. The senior earned first-team All-Detroit honors after helping lead the Crusaders to a 7-5 record last season. Henry remains uncommitted but holds more than two dozen scholarship offers, including from Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, Tennessee, USC and Illinois.
Koen Hinzman, Hudson
Hinzman is a two-way starter for the 2025 Division 8 runner-up and the top returning player in Michigan's smallest 11-player division. As the team's starting defensive tackle last season, he recorded 33 tackles, including eight for loss, and an interception. Hinzman is verbally committed to Iowa State.
Jakari Lipsey, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
The No. 2 lineman on Free Press high school reporter Jared Ramsey's preseason preview, Lipsey is coming off an impressive junior season. He earned All-State honors after allowing just one sack on offense and recording 59 tackles and three sacks as a defensive tackle.
Caleb Pugh, Grand Rapids Christian
The Indiana commit will look to continue the team's year-over-year improvement. After going 1-8 in 2024, the Eagles improved to 6-5 in 2025, including a surprise playoff victory over Battle Creek Harper Creek. Pugh played every offensive snap and led the team in defensive snaps, recording 21 tackles.
Antijuan Wilkes, Detroit Cass Tech
Wilkes will transition to left tackle following the departure of Khalief Canty, now a freshman at Missouri. According to 247 Sports' 2028 class rankings, Wilkes is the No. 1 player in Michigan, the No. 4 offensive tackle and the No. 30 overall recruit in the nation.
Dewey Young, Kalamazoo Central
The No. 1 player on Ramsey's preview list, Young has been a dominant force for Kalamazoo Central. A member of the Free Press Dream Team, the rising senior helped lead the Maroon Giants to their seventh playoff appearance in program history. According to coach Michael Stanger, Young did not allow a sack on 148 passing attempts.
Editor's Note: We reserve the right to disqualify a candidate or declare a vote "no contest" if tampering such as bots or offering to pay for voting is evident. Please respect the integrity of the vote the way these athletes respect the integrity of the game.
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Contact Eric Guzmán: eguzman@freepress.com; 313-222-1850.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Louis Esposito voted the Buffalo Wild Wings Best Offensive Lineman for 2026