Projecting the Top O-Lines for the 2025 CFB Season

The quiet superstars on some college football teams are typically doing the dirty work along the offensive line.

Whether they are keeping a quarterback clean or opening lanes for running backs, the blockers up front are essential to winning games. They rarely attract the spotlight, but they provide space for playmakers to occupy it.

Although having an elite offensive line won't guarantee success in 2025, a reliable group can offer a valuable margin for error.

The choices are subjective but consider a unit's experience, recent performance and projection for the upcoming season.

Utah Utes

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Spencer Fano

The main priority for Utah in the offseason was totally—and I truly mean completely—revamping its skill-position group.

On the bright side? The whole blocking unit is back.

Led by second-team AP All-American right tackle Spencer Fano, the Utes return a load of experience. Both center Jaren Kump and right guard Michael Mokofisi are longtime starters, while left tackle Caleb Lomu and left guard Tonoa Togiai each played well in 2024 and will reprise their roles.

Solatoa Moea'i was Utah's top extra in the rotation last season, and Keith Olson also started a couple of games.

Factor in the expected development of young reserves like Isaiah Garcia, and the Utes have an enviable strength in the trenches.

Texas A&M Aggies

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Especially given the difficulty of Texas A&M's schedule this fall, knowing it can rely on the offensive line will be an immense relief.

That's the hope, of course.

As with Utah, however, the Aggies' unit is entirely intact. That group includes third-team All-SEC left tackle Trey Zuhn III as well as Chase Bisontis, Koli Faaiu, Ar'maj Reed-Adams and Dametrious Crownover across the front.

One asterisk is center, where Mark Nabou—whose 2024 season ended with an ACL injury in the opener—may leapfrog Faaiu on the depth chart.

No matter that outcome, it means A&M has a sixth lineman who's a former starter plus a handful of blue-chip signees in the last two recruiting cycles.

Talent isn't a problem in College Station.

Iowa Hawkeyes

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Will a powerful O-line be enough to spark Iowa's offense? Maybe not!

Nevertheless, that complication should not be used as a way to diminish how good these blockers can be.

Last season, both center Logan Jones and right tackle Gennings Dunker were second-team All-Big Ten selections. Left guard Beau Stephens also had a quality year, giving the Hawkeyes a stable foundation up front.

Projected right guard Kade Pieper has drawn rave reviews from teammates, while left tackle Bryce George was a D-II All-American at Ferris State.

Throw in Jack Dotzler and Trevor Lauck as depth—if neither beats out George at left tackle—and Iowa's trenches are well-built.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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Notre Dame did a tremendous job of dealing with injuries up front last season, still reaching the national championship game in spite of that carousel.

If the Fighting Irish stay healthy in 2025? Look out, again.

Heading into the season, the expectation is Anthony Knapp and Aamil Wagner will start at left and right tackle, respectively. Charles Jagusah has flexibility to play on the edge but is penciled at right guard, while Billy Schrauth and Ashton Craig should complete the lineup at left guard and center.

Notre Dame also has strong depth with interior options Sullivan Absher and Joe Otting, along with rising young tackle Guerby Lambert.

As the Irish eye a return trip to the College Football Playoff, the offensive line should be a strength once again.

Miami Hurricanes

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Francis Mauigoa

There's no question that quarterback Cam Ward was the driving force of Miami's high-powered offense last season.

Also, the blockers were stellar. Any number of highlight reels would show Ward standing in (or meandering around) a seemingly eternal pocket or running backs getting pushed 10 yards downfield.

Miami returns four of those starters, led by second-team All-ACC right tackle Francis Mauigoa. The others are left tackle Markel Bell, left guard Matthew McCoy and right guard Anez Cooper.

TCU transfer James Brockermeyer will complete the group at center, though Ryan Rodriguez may reclaim a job after an ankle injury sidelined him in 2024.

Since the 'Canes are likely to have a more run-driven approach this season, this offensive line is a pivotal advantage.

Penn State Nittany Lions

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"Experience" is the theme at Penn State this season.

Look around the roster, and the Nittany Lions are loaded with veterans. They saw Ohio State's senior-fueled run to a national title last season and used their financial backing to take a similar approach.

As a result, that means the O-line brings back left tackle Drew Shelton, second-team All-Big Ten honoree Vega Ioane, center Nick Dawkins and right tackles Nolan Rucci and Anthony Donkoh.

There's a vacancy at right guard, but Cooper Cousins was a key reserve last season. Plus, transfer TJ Shanahan started five games for Texas A&M in 2024.

No matter how the competitions at right guard and tackle turn out, Penn State is set to have a veteran-filled, deep unit.