College Football 2012: Most Difficult Linemen to Replace

We last left you with our most difficult receivers to replace, and that was a doozy, with so many guys leaving, the choices were tough. Now we're going to wrap up the offensive side of the ball by talking about the big uglies—offensive linemen.

The offensive line is a big deal. Your football team doesn't have much of a prayer if you can't keep your passer upright or clear holes in the run game. No, they don't get all the glory or put up big stats, but they're the hallmark of a quality ballclub on the offensive side of the ball.

There are a lot of guys to choose from along the offensive line. Centers, guards and tackles all factor into this decisions. Michigan and David Molk leaving will be tough, but the Wolverines have a lot of depth along the offensive line.

Virginia is going to miss Austin Pasztor's experience and ability in their front five, but he falls short of the list. Andrew Datko, at Florida State, only played four games in 2011 so the Noles understand how to get things done without the tackle. Will Blackwell at LSU comes to mind as well.

For some guys on the list, it's less about where they go in the NFL draft or overall talent and more about what they mean to their respective teams. Oh, and there's a twist here, losing linemen in bunches hurts far worse than losing one stud player.

5. Matt Kalil: USC

Kalil is on here because he was truly, truly a talent for the Southern Cal offense. He protected the prized blindside of standout quarterback Matt Barkley and was a long-time fixture on the Trojans' offensive line.

With Kalil projected to be the top tackle selected in the draft, he's a tough player to replace. However, his loss is far from devastating for the Trojans—a team that returns everyone else on their offensive line, including center Khaled Holmes.

This is a talent loss more than anything because this Trojans group should be good, again, in 2012. Aundrey Walker, a massive tackle and highly touted recruit, gets the nod on the left side, and he has a shot to be great.

4. Mike Adams: Ohio State

Yeah, yeah, we know about the recent positive marijuana test for the tackle for the former Buckeye who sits up near the top of the NFL draft rankings for his position. We're sure he'll be OK in that regard. The Buckeyes on the other hand, have a hole to fill—actually three holes as Adams, Mike Brewster and JB Shugarts all leave the program.

Those three guys were quality ball players on the line and helped Ohio State maintain some semblance of offense as their inexperienced quarterback, Braxton Miller, figured things out. This unit will be one to watch in their spring game this weekend to see how the shuffling of the line and the new starters step up to fill the roles.

3. Cordy Glenn: Georgia

Glenn is one of three Dawgs who will be gone from the offensive line in 2012, after adding Ben Jones and Justin Anderson to that mix. Three new starters for the Bulldogs means plenty of learning on the job.

Kolton Houston, David Andrews and Watts Dantzler will have their work cut out for them for this year's edition of Mark Richt's team. With Aaron Murray at the helm, plus a stable of running backs, there's a lot of talent in that backfield relying on the offensive line to get things started.

Last year, Georgia was near the bottom of the SEC in sacks allowed, and with this trial by fire on the offensive line coming, those numbers could get worse. 

2. Nate Potter: Boise State

Losing Kellen Moore and Doug Martin is the big blow that most folks are talking about when they reference the Boise State football program taking a step back in 2012. Throw Nate Potter and Chuck Hayes into that mix as well.

Those guys were solid up front for Chris Petersen's squad, and now, combined with the loss of Moore and Martin, the Broncos are looking to fill their voids. With Michigan State and their dynamic defensive attack, this unit will be tested early and missing their stud, Potter, at left tackle is going to make that game quite a tough task.

Potter won't go early in the draft, but his leadership and ability in the offense will be missed tremendously.

1. Riley Reiff: Iowa

The big man is leaving the left side of the Hawkeyes' offensive line for the NFL, and Kirk Ferentz is relying on sophomore Brandon Scherff to fill his void. Reiff is the big name, but Adam Gettis and Markus Zusevics are gone from the Iowa offensive front, leaving a gang of young guys to step up.

Last season, Iowa did quite an impressive deed in running the football; they paired the conferences second-leading rusher with the league's-worst rushing offense. Now, with Marcus Coker gone and a gang of new linemen, things will be an adventure when it comes to moving the ball on the ground.