Everett's John Montelus is heading to Notre Dame
next season.(Bizuayehgu Tesfaye / For the Boston Globe)

By Bob Holmes, Globe Staff

The following are 20 of the top linemen in EMass high school football, listed in alphabetical order.

1. Jon Baker, Millis-Hopedale -- Baker was named the TVL Small lineman of the year despite being just a sophomore.

2. Ryan Barry, Central Catholic -- The 6-5, 250-pound Barry earned MVC All-Conference honors as a junior.

3. Eric Beckwith, North Attleboro -- The 6-2, 280-pound tackle was a Hockomock League All-Star last fall for the 9-1 Red Rocketeers. He was also New England champion in the shot put.

4. Mohammed Braimah, Cathedral -- The Catholic Central Small Defensive Lineman of the Year returns to lead a strong Panther defense.

5. Dan Burrows, Haverhill -- A Merrimack Valley Conference Small All-Conference selection as a junior, the 6-5, 280-pound senior will clear holes for running back Chance Brady.

6. Matthew Comerford, Reading -- The 6-4, 260-pound senior lineman and returning Middlesex League All-Star will keep defenders away from star quarterback Drew Belcher.

7. Terrel Correia, Nantucket -- The 6-5, 275-pound senior has already committed to play at UMass-Amherst.

8. John Foster, Scituate -- A Patriot Fisher All-Star as a junior, Foster will power the Sailors running game.

9. Ray Gobbi, Xaverian -- At 6-2, 300 pounds, Gobbi joins with Maurice Hurst to give the Hawks a powerful line.

10. Mitch Hildreth, Needham -- The senior offensive tackle isn’t the biggest of linemen (6-4, 255 pounds) but he’ll be a big key to the Rockets’ return to the Division 1 playoffs.

11. Maurice Hurst Jr. -- The Michigan-bound senior has a first step that’s as quick as it comes. He’s 285 pounds but look for him to show off his athleticism at running back as well.

12. Rob Kosharek, Duxbury -- A Patriot Keenan All-Star last fall, the 6-6, 260-pound lineman will help the Green Dragons continue their winning ways.

13. Jack McDonald, BC High -- The Virginia-bound 6-5, 275-pound senior was a Catholic Conference All-Star last fall.

14. John Montelus, Everett -- At 6-5, 290, the Notre Dame-bound senior will anchor an Everett line that could be the best in the state.

15. Peter Ngobidi, Catholic Memorial -- The Catholic Conference All-Star has already committed to UMass-Amherst and can play linebacker or on the line.

16. Chuddy Nwachukwu, Dighton-Rehoboth -- At 6-7 and about 310 pounds, Nwachukwu will be hard to overlook this fall. He’s the younger brother of former Globe basketball All-Scholastic Mary Nwachukwu.

17. Joe Previte, Brockton -- If the Boxers want a return to the Division 1 postseason, they’ll run behind Previte, a Big Three All-Star last fall.

18. Chris Tinkham, Lynn English -- The only sophomore last fall to be honored as an NEC Defensive All-Star, Tinkham will be counted on to open holes for Josh Batista.

19. Derek Welcome, Cathedral -- The Panthers went all the way to the Division 4A Super Bowl thanks to a great running game, led by the Catholic Central Small All-Star lineman.

20. Nate Tashjy, Westford Academy -- A senior, Tashjy was a DCL Large All-Star last fall as well as being one of the top wrestlers in the state.