CFB Recruiting 200: Top 11 Interior Linemen in Class of 2016

After thorough study using specific scoring criteria, Bleacher Report recruiting analysts Damon Sayles, Sanjay Kirpalani and Tyler Donohue have graded the top 200 players in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and provided in-depth analysis. As the summer camp circuit comes to a close, Bleacher Report provides a position-by-position breakdown of the best college football recruits. Today, we present the top Interior Lineman. 

Other Positions

• Overall Top 200 

Unlike in basketball, center and guard are two of the least flashy positions on the gridiron.

Those who line up along the interior of the offensive line may not generate daily headlines.

Yet coaches across the country covet top interior offensive linemen because of the need to be stout up the middle.

The latest entry of Bleacher Report's CFB 200 series profiles the top underappreciated big uglies in the 2016 cycle and graded them on a 100-point scale in areas such as strength, pass-blocking, run-blocking and explosion.

How do the top interior offensive linemen in the 2016 cycle measure up?

All analysis provided by B/R National Recruiting Analyst Sanjay Kirpalani.

11. 4-Star Michael Eletise

Height/Weight: 6'4", 313 pounds

High School: Kaiser High School; Honolulu

247Sports Ranking: No. 9 offensive guard; No. 195 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 86/100

Committed to Arizona on July 27, 2015

 Hawaii has produced its share of elite prospects in recent years, and 4-star offensive guard Michael Eletise represents the top prospect from the islands in the 2016 cycle.

The 6'4", 313-pounder has more than 40 offers to his credit, but in June he narrowed his list to a lucky 10 programs.

In the end, Eletise chose Arizona over offers from Arizona State, UCLA, USC and Washington among others. 

Bleacher Report Analysis 

Eletise mostly plays left tackle on the prep level, which is a testament to his athleticism. He's very agile for a player with his size, and he excels in pass protection when he's able to get his arms locked in and extended against edge-rushers. At the next level, he will need to get stronger, especially as a run-blocker.

However, assuming he takes care of business in the weight room, his natural traits and frame translate well to college.

10. 4-Star Chris Owens

Height/Weight: 6'3", 312 pounds

High School: Lamar High School; Arlington, Texas 

247Sports Ranking: No. 8 offensive guard; No. 173 overall 

Bleacher Report Score: 88/100

Committed to Alabama on April 22, 2015

Alabama has been quietly doing work in the state of Texas in recent years, and Nick Saban and his staff were able to strike another blow in landing 4-star offensive guard Chris Owens in April.

Owens is one of three Texans currently committed to the Tide in their 2016 class.

The 6'3", 312-pounder chose the Tide over Arizona State, Auburn, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas among others, according to BamaOnline's Hank South.

Bleacher Report Analysis 

The first thing that jumps out about Owens on tape is his power, which should serve him well since he's headed to Alabama. He's athletic enough to be a pulling guard on power-running plays, and he shows great mobility and effort in getting to the second level.

He will need to work on keeping his balance in pass protection. Overall, Owens has a nice blend of skills that project well to handle the rigors of playing in the SEC trenches.

9. 4-Star Deonte Brown

Height/Weight: 6'3", 350 pounds

High School: Austin High School; Decatur, Alabama

247Sports Ranking: No. 7 offensive guard; No. 158 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 85/100

Committed to Alabama on April 29, 2015

Alabama's offensive line class rates among the nation's best, with 4-star Deonte Brown the only one of the Tide's four pledges to be a homegrown talent.

Brown selected the Tide over offers from Louisville, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Troy.

The 6'3", 350-pounder appears to be a solid Tide commit.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Brown is a raw talent who plays mostly left tackle on the prep level. His size sticks out, but he may benefit from shedding a few pounds and adding muscle on his frame. His power stands out as a run-blocker, but he will need to work on his footwork and balance to gain better leverage as a pass-blocker. 

8. 4-Star Richard Merritt

Height/Weight: 6'5", 345 pounds

High School: Archbishop Carroll High School; Washington, D.C.

247Sports Ranking: No. 6 offensive guard; No. 146 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 87/100

Uncommitted: Considering Alabama, Clemson, Florida State and Michigan State

One of the more underrated hotbeds for talent lies in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.

Among the city's most popular attractions in the 2016 cycle is 4-star offensive guard Richard Merritt.

Merritt, who has more than 30 offers to his credit, has powers such as Alabama, Clemson, Florida and Florida State among the schools in heavy pursuit of his commitment.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Merritt is a massive prospect who simply overpowers defenders at the prep level. While his size is enough to help him dominate in high school, he will have to make adjustments to his body and technique in order to excel in college. Getting more explosive off the ball and improving his footwork in pass protection are a few areas he will look to refine during his transition.

Overall, Merritt is an intriguing talent with a great ceiling in the long term.

7. 4-Star Tyler Gerald

Height/Weight: 6'5", 300 pounds

High School: IMG Academy; Bradenton, Florida

247Sports Ranking: No. 5 offensive guard; No. 142 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 88/100

Committed to Ohio State on June 19, 2014

Way back in June 2014, 4-star offensive guard Tyler Gerald became the second commitment in Ohio State's 2016 class.

Gerald committed to the Buckeyes over offers from Alabama, Florida State, Penn State and Virginia Tech among others.

Gerald, originally a native of Portsmouth, Ohio, is one of a handful of talented prospects who transferred to Florida powerhouse IMG Academy in the offseason.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Gerald is a mauler who does a great job of getting on to his blocks quickly and driving his opponent backward. He plays with great technique and leverage. As a pass-blocker, he's still raw. He will need to get stronger for the wars in the trenches of the Big Ten.

Overall, he's a prospect who fits in well to the recent haul Urban Meyer and his staff have been able to stockpile along the offensive line.

6. 4-Star Drake Jackson

Height/Weight: 6'2", 288 pounds

High School: Woodford County High School; Versailles, Kentucky

247Sports Ranking: No. 2 center; No. 134 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 88/100 

Committed to Kentucky on Dec. 13, 2014

One of the early schools that has surprised by getting off to a fast start in the 2016 cycle is the Kentucky Wildcats, who currently own the nation's No. 16 class.

One of the anchors of that class is in-state 4-star center Drake Jackson, one of six future Wildcats who committed before the end of 2014.

The 6'2", 288-pounder committed to Kentucky over offers from Alabama, Florida, Ohio State and Penn State among others.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Jackson has the aggressive demeanor as a run-blocker that you like in a potential center. He gets off the ball in a hurry, and he does a good job of getting to the second and third levels on runs or quick passes. He will need to add more bulk to his frame, but the tools are there for him to develop into a solid center at the next level.

5. 4-Star Michael Onwenu

Height/Weight: 6'3", 365 pounds

High School: Cass Technical High School; Detroit

247Sports Ranking: No. 4 offensive guard; No. 113 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 90/100

Committed to Michigan on June 2, 2015

One of the biggest commitments, literally and figuratively, that new Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has been able to snag is in-state 4-star offensive guard Michael Onwenu.

Onwenu chose the Wolverines over offers from Alabama, Miami, Ohio State and Penn State among others.

Landing Onwenu, who is the state of Michigan's No. 4 prospect in the 2016 cycle, is a critical piece for the Wolverines' 2016 class.

Bleacher Report Analysis

You really have to see Onwenu in person to appreciate a man his size moving like he does. I saw him at the Sound Mind Sound Body camp in Detroit earlier this month, and he was simply dominant. He's a mauler off the ball in the run game, and he maintains good balance as a pass-blocker. The scary part about him is that he can still get stronger and add more technique to his game.

4. 4-Star Donavaughn Campbell

Height/Weight: 6'4", 347 pounds

High School: Ponchatoula High School; Ponchatoula, Louisiana

247Sports Ranking: No. 3 offensive guard; No. 108 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 91/100

Committed to LSU on Jan. 8, 2015

LSU has vaulted to the nation's No. 1 class after a recent hot streak of commitments, but one of its earliest pledges came from in-state 4-star offensive guard Donavaughn Campbell.

Campbell chose the Tigers over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia and Texas among others.

However, according to South, he's leaving the door open somewhat after visiting the Tide earlier this month.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Campbell is a powerful force who has the size, athleticism and tenacity it takes to become an elite interior lineman. He's a road-grader in the run game, and he displays a solid punch in keeping his opponents at arm's length in pass protection. Maintaining his conditioning and improving finer details such as balance and footwork will be critical to his development moving forward.

3. 4-Star John Raridon

Height/Weight: 6'4", 260 pounds

High School: Valley High School; West Des Moines, Iowa

247Sports Ranking: No. 2 offensive guard; No. 78 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 90/100

Committed to Nebraska on Sept. 28, 2014

Among the first batch of commitments for Nebraska's 2016 class was 4-star offensive guard John Raridon.

The top prospect from the state of Iowa committed to the old staff under Bo Pelini and has maintained his pledge since new head coach Mike Riley took over the program.

Raridon chose Nebraska over offers from Iowa, Oklahoma, Oregon and Wisconsin among others.

Bleacher Report Analysis 

Raridon is tenacious as a run-blocker. He has the power and athleticism to lock on to his defender and drive him backward consistently. He's adept at pulling as a lead guard, and he's agile and quick enough to get to linebackers and defensive backs on quick passing plays. He will need to add weight and strength at the next level. However, his overall skill set translates well to the college level.

2. 4-Star Terrance Davis

Height/Weight: 6'4", 305 pounds

High School: DeMatha Catholic High School; Hyattsville, Maryland

247Sports Ranking: No. 1 offensive guard; No. 74 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 89/100

Uncommitted: Considering Alabama, Florida State, Maryland and Michigan

DeMatha Catholic in Maryland has been a powerhouse program in recent years.

Among the studs lining for the Stags this fall is 4-star offensive guard Terrance Davis.

Michigan and Maryland are among the early leaders for Davis, but as Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports notes, SEC powers such as Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee are fighting to get the 6'4", 305-pounder on campus later this summer.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Davis is a versatile athlete who played tackle and guard on the offensive line as well as defensive tackle for his prep squad. That defensive influence is evident in how aggressive he is as a blocker. He possesses a solid frame, and he's got the tools to develop into a force at the guard position in college.

1. 4-Star Baveon Johnson

Height/Weight: 6'3", 310 pounds

High School: Lake Gibson High School; Lakeland, Florida

247Sports Ranking: No. 1 center; No. 39 overall

Bleacher Report Score: 91/100

Committed to Florida State on March 11, 2015

It wasn't a surprise that 4-star center Baveon Johnson committed to Florida State.

According to Josh Newberg of Noles247, the 6'3", 310-pounder grew up rooting for the Seminoles as a youngster and even has the Seminole logo tattooed on his shoulder.

Johnson committed to FSU over offers from Kentucky, Miami, Nebraska and Wisconsin among others.

Bleacher Report Analysis

Johnson's game is based on power and strength. I saw him at the Orlando Nike Opening Regional Camp in March, and he was the most dominant performer in the trenches, earning an invite to The Opening in the process.

Johnson plays with a mean streak. He's got a strong base in his lower body, and he uses his feet well in pass protection. At this stage, he's an elite prospect with a high ceiling moving to the next level.