B/R CFB 250: Top 32 Offensive Linemen
Bleacher Report's CFB 250 is an annual ranking of the best players in college football, regardless of NFL potential. Through interviews with B/R Experts Matt Miller, Michael Felder, Barrett Sallee and Adam Kramer, authors Brian Leigh and Brian Pedersen have studied, ranked and graded the top athletes in the country, narrowed that list to 250 and sorted by position. Today, Brian Leigh presents the Top 32 Offensive Linemen.
Other CFB 250 Positions
Offensive line is the least sexy but most important position in football.
Especially in college, where size deviates so wildly from high-major rosters to mid-major rosters, it's the key point that separates good teams from average and bad teams.
Winning up front changes everything an offense can do. Losing up front turns can't-miss quarterbacks such as Christian Hackenberg into punching bags. We don't learn the big uglies' names, but their performance dictates so much of what we see.
And that's why this article exists.
But before we dig into that, a disclaimer. The linemen who follow were graded as college prospects, not as NFL prospects. If they get the job done at this level, it's irrelevant how they project to the next level.
This is all about college performance.
Note: If two players finished with the same grade, the authors made a subjective call on which player they prefer.
32-28. Huettel, Hawkins, Hunt, Hyatt, Brendel
1 of 20
ย 32. OG Alex Huettel, Bowling Green
Pass Blocking: 35/45; Run Blocking: 38/45; Lateral Quickness: 7/10
Alex Huettel has started all 54 games (and counting) of his Bowling Green career. This year's Falcons ranked No. 2 in the country in run blocking, per Football Outsiders' adjusted line yards, and Huettel was the biggest reason why. He's a mauler who can slide inside if necessary but does his best work as a pure run-blocking guard.
ย 31. OT Jerald Hawkins, LSU
Pass Blocking: 35/45; Run Blocking: 39/45; Lateral Quickness: 7/10.
One of two LSU linemen on this list, Jerald Hawkins has the frame (6'6", 305 lbs) and skills to perform even better than he has. He's played through a minor ankle injury, which might explain his junior year "struggles," but it still feels like he should be so much more. Regardless, he remains a stout run blocker with the strength and footwork to pave big holes on the edge.
ย 30. OC Joey Hunt, TCU
Pass Blocking: 38/45; Run Blocking: 37/45; Lateral Quickness: 7/10
Joey Hunt was a three-year starter on TCU's high-powered offense. He missed the final two games of the season with an injury, and the Horned Frogs, who were also missing receiver Josh Doctson, never quite looked the same. It's a shame he couldn't go up against Oklahoma and Baylor, the two best teams on TCU's schedule, but Hunt has proved a lot in his time in Fort Worth. Those who follow closely know how good he's been.
ย 29. OT Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
Pass Blocking: 37/45; Run Blocking: 37/45; Lateral Quickness: 8/10
Mitch Hyatt was a 5-star prospect in the 2015 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings, and wasted little time proving why. He's not on par with previous breakout freshmen such as Cam Robinson in 2014 and Laremy Tunsil in 2013, but the work he's done on the blind side for the No. 1 team in college football deserves recognition. It's scary to think how good he might be once he adds weight to his frame (6'5", 295 lbs).
ย 28. OC Jake Brendel, UCLA
Pass Blocking: 37/45; Run Blocking: 37/45; Lateral Quickness: 8/10
Jake Brendel is the heart and soul of UCLA's offense. His leadership up the middle helped an up-and-down unit coalesce, and his presence helped a true freshman quarterback, Josh Rosen, enjoy a breakout debut season. His raw tools are not much to look at, but he's heady, quick and technically sound in both phases.
27-23. Thuney, Whitehair, Theus, Kirkland, Westerman
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ย 27. OT Joe Thuney, NC State
Pass Blocking: 38/45; Run Blocking: 38/45; Lateral Quickness: 7/10
Buy low on Joe Thuney while you can. He's come on strong in the second half of the season, and it won't be long before NFL draft geeks catch onto him. His future might lie at guard, where he lined up in 2014, but his thin frame (6'5", 295 lbs) has managed just fine in college. NC State will miss him next season.
ย 26. OT Cody Whitehair, Kansas State
Pass Blocking: 36/45; Run Blocking: 40/45; Lateral Quickness: 7/10
Kansas State's offense has no business being respectable, but Cody Whitehair has helped it get there anyway. Despite losing so many playmakers from last year's unit, his run blocking paved regular holes against defenses stacking the box. He owned Baylor defensive end Shawn Oakman when the Wildcats played the Bears in November.
ย 25. OT John Theus, Georgia
Pass Blocking: 36/45; Run Blocking: 40/45; Lateral Quickness: 7/10
Georgia's offense struggled this year, but John Theus played well enough to earn All-SEC first team honors. He's still trying to figure out pass-blocking, which he'll need if he wants to play tackle in the NFL, but he's a mauling run blocker with a big frame (6'6", 303 lbs) and room to fill out. The former blue-chip prospect took a while to find his footing, but once he did, he made an impact for the Bulldogs.
ย 24. OT Denver Kirkland, Arkansas
Pass Blocking: 36/45; Run Blocking: 41/45; Lateral Quickness: 7/10
Denver Kirkland is a mountain of a man, tipping the scales at 6'5", 340 pounds. Amazingly, that makes him the smaller of Arkansas' tacklesโDan Skipper checks in at 6'10", 331 poundsโbut he's been the stronger option this season. The former guard has translated well to tackle and improved with added reps as a pass-blocker. Unless that improvement plateaus, there's an NFL future ahead of him.
ย 23. OG Christian Westerman, Arizona State
Pass Blocking: 36/45; Run Blocking: 40/45; Lateral Quickness: 8/10
Christian Westerman has been around the block. He started his career as a 5-star recruit at Auburn, per 247Sports' composite ratings, before transferring and finding a home in the desert. He slowly progressed for the Sun Devils and emerged this year as one of the Pac-12's best run-blockers. His blend of raw tools and intensity is what great guards are made of.
22-18. Lamp, Crosby, Skura, Dahl, Alexander
3 of 20
ย 22. OT Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky
Pass Blocking: 38/45; Run Blocking: 38/45; Lateral Quickness: 8/10
Forrest Lamp is a redshirt junior who has started every game of his career. His addition to the lineup coincides, not coincidentally, with Western Kentucky becoming an offensive juggernaut. His frame needs extra bulk (6'4", 300 lbs) and makes him look more like a guard than a tackle, but his technique works fine on the edge.
ย 21. OT Tyrell Crosby, Oregon
Pass Blocking: 38/45; Run Blocking: 38/45; Lateral Quickness: 8/10
Tyrell Crosby is the nextโand might eventually become the bestโstar Oregon tackle. He's a fluid athlete with length to play near the line and wheels to play in space. He fits Oregon's scheme like a glove and will enter next year with All-America love. He won't land outside the top 20 linemen for long.
ย 20. OC Matt Skura, Duke
Pass Blocking: 36/45; Run Blocking: 40/45; Lateral Quickness: 8/10
Matt Skura paves holes for an offense that needs holes desperately. Duke has no semblance of a passing game, but even though opponents know what's coming, Skura ensures the running game moves forward. Nothing he does is sexy, but that's par for the course with centers. His awareness sets him apart.
ย 19. OT Joe Dahl, Washington State
Pass Blocking: 41/45; Run Blocking: 35/45; Lateral Quickness: 8/10
Joe Dahl is the anchor of Washington State's passing game. Quarterback Luke Falk and receiver Gabe Marks post the numbers, but neither would light up the stat sheet without protection. His run blocking is underdevelopedโthe result of playing for Mike Leachโbut for now, at least, Dahl does something elite on the blind side. That's enough to crack the top 20.
ย 18. OT Vadal Alexander, LSU
Pass Blocking: 36/45; Run Blocking: 41/45; Lateral Quickness: 8/10
Vadal Alexander is a wrecking ball on LSU's line. He's the perfect blocking tackle for running back Leonard Fournette and a staple of the Tigers' pro-style running game. Like everything associated with LSU's passing game, his pass protection needs work. But when you do one thing this well, it hardly matters.
17. OC Ryan Kelly, Alabama
4 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โHeโs Alabamaโs most important playerโand he has been for a couple years now. His ability to recognize what a defensive front is doing, get the offensive line in the right protection and adjust at the line of scrimmage is a big reason (running back) Derrick Henry has been successful.โ
โBarrett Sallee
ย Pass Blocking
Ryan Kelly is the point guard of Alabama's offense. That starts with his pre-snap reads and delegation of blocking assignments. Once the ball is snapped, he uses his long frame (6'5", 297 lbs) to latch and hurry interior rushers. The Crimson Tide have been strong up the middle in pass protection, and Kelly has been a big reason why.
ย Run Blocking
Alabama likes running left, behind tackle Cameron Robinson, but Kelly opens holes up the middle as well. You won't see his blocks on the highlight reelโhe's not the type to plant a defender on the groundโbut he locks up his man and moves him off his spot. He also does decent work at the second level and when Alabama asks him to pull.
ย Lateral Quickness
Kelly is light on his feet and moves with smooth athleticism. He's comfortable in the open field but also off the line. The quickest interior rushers can beat him, but the list of players who fit that bill is short. He's exactly as quick as he needs to beโno more, no less.
ย Overall
Kelly looks good on tape, but his biggest positive traits are intangible. The point Barrett Sallee made above, about how bad Alabama looks without him, is not without merit. He is not Alabama's best player, but you could make the case he is its most important. The splits when he doesn't play are that dramatic.
16. OC Nick Martin, Notre Dame
5 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
"I love the way he handles the offensive line there. Theyโre running a pro-style offense, but he doesnโt miss a beat. I donโt think heโs as good as his brother was, obviously, but I think heโll start in the NFL."
โMatt Miller
ย Pass Blocking
Nick Martin plays a calming role on Notre Dame's offensive line. He is always in control, which opens what the Irish can call through the air. He has good size for a center (6'4 ยฝ", 301 lbs) and can stand up against the bull rush. Even in hostile road environments, Martin keeps his quarterback clean.
ย Run Blocking
Notre Dame's offense requires versatile run-blockers. Whether plowing up the middle in a pro-style formation or pulling around the corner in the spread, Martin gets the job done on the ground. Notre Dame lost two starting running backs and triple-option quarterback Malik Zaire to injury but still ranked No. 6 in the country with 5.76 yards per carry in the regular season. For that, Martin deserves a ton of credit.
ย Lateral Quickness
Martin has the quickness to produce at the second level. He's not a freakish athlete, but he's balanced on the run and moves well from side to side. His strength and quickness are equal, roughly, and combine to make him a sound all-around blocker. There is no exploitable weakness in his game.
ย Overall
A poor man's version of his brother, Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin, Nick has forged a memorable career in South Bend. He's a two-year offensive captain with the scalable ability to play guard, where he started 10 games in 2014. Center suits him better, however, because it adds to his responsibility. The more he's asked to do for an offense, the better.
15. OT Le'Raven Clark, Texas Tech
6 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โHe does well out on an island. Texas Tech puts a lot of pressure on him with those big splits, and he holds his own. Iโm not crazy in love with him, but I think heโs a pretty good player.โ
โMatt Miller
ย Pass Blocking
Because of Texas Tech's offense, it's hard to gauge Le'Raven Clark's pass blocking. The air raid relies on quick, timing-based passes, so the blockers only protect for so long. Clark has flashed star power in bunches, especially when he's able to win with length. But he's also suffered bouts of poor hand usage, and he doesn't have the size (6'6", 308 lbs) to be anything less than perfect.
ย Run Blocking
Clark fares better in run blocking than pass blocking. He's a hunter in space who loves to get downhill and open creases. Texas Tech uses wide splits and asks each blocker to win individual battles. Clark has proved he can do that, although he needs to add bulk for the short area on obvious running downs.
ย Lateral Quickness
Clark has quick feet in pass protection, where he gains good depth off the line and puts himself in position to succeed. He's even better moving laterally in the running game, where he seals the edge and stays in front of linebackers and safeties. All in all, he's a very good athlete.
ย Overall
Texas Tech's system makes Clark a hard player to scout. What's clear as day, however, is that he's good. Questions exist as toย how good,ย but there's no denying his impact on Texas Tech's offense. Especially in the running game, where the Red Raiders have quietly excelled, Clark makes his presence felt.
14. OT Shon Coleman, Auburn
7 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โHe struggles in pass blocking against speed-rushers, but heโs really good in run blocking. Heโs a perfect fit for what Auburn used to do under Gus Malzahn. If they got back to that, he could be one of the best tackles in the country.โ
โBarrett Sallee
ย Pass Blocking
Shon Coleman has emerged as a viable pass-blocker. He punches defensive linemen with strong hands and has a long frame (6โ6โ, 313 lbs) to keep them engaged. Despite his lack of bulk, he keeps a solid base and swallows most power-rushers.
ย Run Blocking
While not as good as former Auburn tackle Greg Robinson, Coleman still gets the job done as a run-blocker. He explodes off the ball and does a better job than expected in the short area, and then also makes plays down the field. Pure power linemen can push him off his line and seal the edge, but not many players are strong enough to do so. Coleman also plays with a mean streak thatโs encouraging to see in the running game.
ย Lateral Quickness
Thereโs a smoothness and fluidity to Coleman that makes him, again, comparable to Robinson. He translates it more to pass blocking than run blocking, but itโs evident in everything he does. Smooth, long and angry is a great combination for linemen. Coleman is all three.
ย Overall
Coleman has enjoyed a breakout season. That sounds wrong considering how badly Auburnโs offense has struggled, but itโs the truth. His story is as good as his performanceโhe overcame a 2010 leukemia diagnosis to return after years away from the gameโbut heโs not here because of sentiment. Heโs here because heโs earned it. And he can still be so much better in the future.
13. OT Jason Spriggs, Indiana
8 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โThe word that comes up with him is โathlete.โ I donโt think he has great strength for the NFL right now, but for a college left tackle, heโs pretty dang good.โ
โMatt Miller
ย Pass Blocking
Jason Spriggs has long arms and works well in Indiana's spread passing offense. He's quick and rarely allows pressure off the edge but sometimes leaves the inside gap open. Although he lacks massive bulk (6'7", 305 lbs), he uses leverage to avoid getting bulled into the pocket. Most pressures he allows are technique issues, not strength issues.
ย Run Blocking
Again, Spriggs works well in Indiana's spread offense. The running game relies on stretch runs to the outside, where Spriggs has the length and quickness to excel. He raises his game against top competition and played a big role in Indiana's near-upset of Michigan. Tevin Coleman last year and Jordan Howard this year have been lucky to run behind Spriggs.
ย Lateral Quickness
Spriggs is a converted tight end, and it shows. He's a fluid athlete who wins with initial quickness off the line and sustained quickness in space. He has great feet and gains depth off the snap in pass protection.ย Again, he's a perfect fit for Indiana's spread offense.
ย Overall
Indiana had a sneaky-good season and has had a good offense for years. Spriggs has played an integral role in all of that. He's the anchor of a strong offensive line and gives the Hoosiers a chance to score against any defense. Rebuilding once he and quarterback Nate Sudfeld leave will be difficult.
12. OC Austin Blythe, Iowa
9 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โIn the run game, heโs like a junkyard dog. If he gets a hold of you, itโs kind of game over.โ
โMatt Miller
ย Pass Blocking
Austin Blythe is a four-year starter and the ballast of Iowa's offense. As a pass-blocker, his most valuable contribution comes before the snap, when he diagnoses potential blitz packages, but he also hold his own against bigger defensive tackles despite lacking ideal size (6'3", 290 lbs).
ย Run Blocking
Blythe is a superlative run-blocker who started seven games at guard last year. He plays with excellent leverage and delivers the first shot on linemen, which allows him to get a push on bigger players. He also has strong handsโit's mentioned onย everyย Iowa broadcast that he wrestled in high schoolโand controls blocks through the whistle once he latches.
ย Lateral Quickness
Quickness can give Blythe problems. He played well against Nebraska, for example, but there were times when defensive tackle Maliek Collins, a superior athlete, blew past him. Because he's a limited athlete, Blythe has to win with technique and strategy. Fortunately, those are areas of strength.ย
ย Overall
Blythe is an Iowa lineman. That's the best way to describe him. He flew under the radar last season, when former teammate Brandon Scherff, the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL draft, stole headlines, but he's been holding this line together for years. The only difference this year was team success.
11. OT Tyler Johnstone, Oregon
10 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โI think heโs a good athlete, but Iโve always wanted to see more from him. Heโs got great height and length, but heโs gonna have to gain like 15 pounds for the NFL.โ
โMatt Miller
ย Pass Blocking
Tyler Johnstone is a prototypical Oregon tackle: lean and athletic. He lacks both the frame (6'6", 295 lbs) and technique to block power pass-rushers, but he fares well against speedy ends and outside linebackers. This will be a problem for NFL scouting departments, but that's not what this article is measuring. As far as being a college left tackle, his pass blocking does the job.
ย Run Blocking
The same physical qualities define Johnstone's run blocking. He can't drive bigger 5-techniques off their spotsโhe would struggle, for example, against teammate DeForest Bucknerโbut is great in the open field, where Oregon asks him to do the most work. He's not who you want to run behind on 4th-and-1 at the goal line, but he's perfect for springing long gains between the 20s.
ย Lateral Quickness
Johnstone is a poor man's Joe Staley (that's a compliment). He moves like an oversized tight end and gives freedom to what Oregon can call on offense. It's nice to have a tackle who can play so well in space, especially after injuries threatened to ruin that. He's still not back to pre-injury levels, but Johnstone remains one of the nation's quickest blockers.
ย Overall
Johnstone played a big role in Oregon's strong finish. The offense took off once quarterback Vernon Adams found his rhythm, and a big part of his rhythm was forged by Johnstone and Tyrell Crosby on the line. If he adds strength without sacrificing quickness, Johnstone will play for a long time in the NFL. Even if he doesn't, he's been a heck of a college tackle.
10. OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State
11 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โHeโs pro-ready. He can do it all. Surprisingly quick, good agility, really good length. He might be a late-first, early-second-round guy who starts for eight or nine years (in the NFL).โ
โMatt Miller
ย Pass Blocking
Taylor Decker has taken a step back in pass protection. He slumped at the start of last season and improved during the Buckeyes' national title run but has reverted to some of his stand-up-too-straight tendencies as a senior. He has size (6'8", 315 lbs), length and strength to be better but needs to refine his technique and play more consistently.
ย Run Blocking
Fortunately, Decker has not regressed as a run-blocker. He continues to pave holes for Ezekiel Elliott, J.T. Barrett and the rest of Ohio State's ball-carriers. He controls defenders with length and stretches them off the edge, a skill that's hard to teach and even harder to defend. Ohio State loves running left.
ย Lateral Quickness
Decker looks stiff in pass protection, but that has more to do with flexibility than lateral quickness. As a pure, explosive athlete, he's impressive. He fires from his stance and explodes off the ball as a run-blocker, and he gains enough depth against speed rushers.
ย Overall
Decker should be better than he is. He peaked at the end of last season, when he appeared to master his tools and become a complete tackle, but has struggled once again in the passing game. Maybe that has something to do with the change of scheme in Columbus? No one knows. For now, he is mostly one-dimensional, but that one dimensionโrun blockingโis so good he remains a top-10 lineman.
9. OG Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas
12 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โHe is such an important piece of that puzzle from a run perspective, but he just gets after it. He opens holes the size of the Grand Canyon.โ
โBarrett Sallee
ย Pass Blocking
Just as Arkansas' passing game has grown, so has Sebastian Tretola's pass blocking. That's impressive considering where he started: allowing zero sacks as a junior in 2013. This year, the Razorbacks asked even more of him, and the 6'5", 334-pounder has been up to the task. Quicker interior rushers can still dart past him, but he's learning how to keep them in check.
ย Run Blocking
This is where Tretola will make a living. He's a run-blocking machine with the strength to dominate inside and surprising skills in space. Any team which adds him becomes immediately formidable on the ground. Pairing him with head coach Bret Bielema, who turned lesser guards into stars at Wisconsin, was perfect for all involved parties.
ย Lateral Quickness
Tretola might surprise you with his quickness. He won't clock a sub-5.00 40-yard dash, but he's spry when he rumbles down the field. He can pull around the corner and plow the first man he sees on the edge. His quickness doesn't translate as much to the passing game, but even there, he is not a liability.
ย Overall
Tretola broke into the mainstream when he threw a trick-play touchdownย last season. He's never matched that moment's virality, but Arkansas fans will remember his weekly dominance more than one amazing pass. After coming to the Razorbacks from community college, he quickly earned his role as a leader and helped them forge a high-powered offense. He'll go down as one of Bielema's finest creations.ย
8. OG Pat Elflein, Ohio State
13 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โTremendous run-blocker. Heโs a little compact, but thatโs OK with a guard. Heโs like a boxer: Heโs just gonna stand there and punch, and heโs usually gonna win.โ
โMatt Miller
ย Pass Blocking
Pat Elflein is a good but not great pass-blocker. He gets the job done, but thatโs not why heโs in there. His frame (6โ3โ, 300 lbs) allows him to hold off defensive and nose tackles, although he sometimes stands too straight and gets pushed back. His motor, however, will never be questioned.
ย Run Blocking
Elflein was the star of last yearโs College Football Playoff National Championship Game, springing many of Ezekiel Elliottโs long runs. Heโs carried that over into 2015, when heโs played, once again, like one of the two best run-blockers in America. His strength and understanding of leverage allow him to bounce linemen off their spots and pave massive chasms for Elliott.
ย Lateral Quickness
Elflein is better in the short area than in space, but heโs comfortable wherever you put him. His attitude and motor make him dangerous at the second level, where his appetite for contact outweighs any athletic drawbacks. He outplayed Penn State defensive tackle Anthony Zettel, a converted defensive end and one of the quickest interior rushers in the country, when the Buckeyes beat the Nittany Lions this season.
ย Overall
Elflein is an OSU favoriteโand with good reason. Heโs the type of player fans love to rally around. His toughness at the line is as important to the Buckeyes running game as Elliottโs speed and vision, and he always brings his best in big games.
7. OT Cam Robinson, Alabama
14 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โHeโs been inconsistent at times this year, but most of that has been due to health. He hasnโt reached his peak yet. As a junior [next season], he has a chance to be the best tackle in the country.โ
โBarrett Sallee
ย Pass Blocking
Cam Robinson has struggled in pass protection. He improved in the second half of the season, helping quarterback Jake Coker grow more comfortable, but that early-season tape still exists. The size (6'6", 326 lbs), length and quickness are there, and you can see it come together in spots, but he needs to become a technician and make fewer mental mistakes.
ย Run Blocking
No sight in college football frightens defenses more than Derrick Henry on the edge with Robinson lead blocking. If Henry wins the Heisman Trophy, he should saw off an appendage for Robinson's trophy case. It's crazy to think a sophomore can be this physically dominant, but Robinson is. He's a monster blocking down in the short area.
ย Lateral Quickness
Robinson moves well for a player his size. He does his best work near the line of scrimmage but can rumble to the next level and connect with safeties and linebackers. His struggles against the pass have had more to do with mental lapses and technique than a lack of quickness, too.
ย Overall
Robinson was the No. 4 overall prospect in the 2014 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings. He started from Day 1 as a freshman and has lived up to expectations, although it still feels like he hasn't reached his ceiling. He never made that leap from his first year to his second, which is fine because of how good he was as a freshman. But more will be expected next season.
6. OC Jack Allen, Michigan State
15 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
"Kid is just about one of the smartest centers we've seen on the interior of a line. He makes his calls, he gets his guys set and then once the ball is snapped, he blends his technical skill with his power and athleticism to just root defenders out of their spots."
โMichael Felder
ย Pass Blocking
Jack Allen is the captain of Michigan Stateโs offensive line. Heโs not the most talented playerโmore on that to comeโbut his pre-snap reads and leadership define MSUโs protection and keep quarterback Connor Cook clean. He plays bigger than his size (6โ2โ, 296 lbs) against power-rushers and is mobile enough to fend off twists and stunts. All in all, heโs crucial to MSUโs passing game.
ย Run Blocking
Itโs hard to quantify, but even harder to overstate, the impact Allen has on Michigan Stateโs running game. He is tough and plays with leverage in the A-gap, which allows him to open holes against stronger defensive tackles, even if he doesnโt overwhelm them. You wonโt see him bury defenders like pancakes, but you also wonโt see him get pushed back off the line. You will see him pull and spring running backs.
ย Lateral Quickness
Allen plays well in space, although you probably donโt need us to tell you that. He proved it in the spring game and the regular-season finale against Penn State, when he lined up in the backfield, sprinted through a hole and scored a rushing touchdown. That speed translates to his regular position, as he seeks and destroys defenders at the second level. It also allows him to mirror and stay in front of speed-rushing tackles.
ย Overall
Itโs hard to scout Allen without reciting tired cliches. You see him and want to call him โtoughโ and โscrappyโ and โblue-collarโ and โa leader.โ Try as you might to avoid those buzzwords, theyโll keep coming up in Allenโs profileโbut that doesnโt have to be a bad thing. He really is a tough, scrappy, blue-collar leader. What team doesnโt need one of those at center?
5. OG Landon Turner, North Carolina
16 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โI love him. Heโs really powerful in the run game. Great leverage, low center of gravity. Heโs one of the best guards Iโve seen all year.โ
โMatt Miller
ย Pass Blocking
Landon Turner has gotten better as a pass-blocker, although itโs obviously where his game still needs workโif any work is needed. He has power to handle bull-rushers and quickness to handle speed-rushers but occasionally drops his hands. Still, he has gotten much better, and North Carolina, as a team, allowed just 1.08 sacks per game during the regular season. Turner was a big reason why.
ย Run Blocking
Here is where Turner excels. Like former teammate Jonathan Cooper, across from whom he started two years ago, heโs a road-grading blocker who can toss around linemen or get to the second level and bulldoze linebackers. His squat but powerful frame (6โ4โ, 325 lbs) makes him the ideal interior run-blocker, especially when combined with his footwork. His attitude and technique donโt hurt, either.
ย Lateral Quickness
Turner is not a speedster, but heโs nimble for a player his size. He fires off the line and takes the action to his opponent, which prevents quicker linemen from darting past him. He is scary when he gets to the second level, and heโs barreling toward opponents like a boulder rolling down a mountain. Good luck trying to get in front of that.
ย Overall
You may not have heard of Turner, but that makes him the fitting symbol of UNCโs season. He deserved more attention before the year and deserved even moreย attention during the year but never really earned it because he plays an unsexy position for an ACC Coastal team that typically kicks off at noon. But even if the county wasnโt watching, NFL scouts were. He wonโt go as high as Cooper, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2013 draft, but heโll threaten to crack the top 50.
4. OT Spencer Drango, Baylor
17 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โI like him more [than I did in the preseason]. I think heโs had a better year. Heโs one of the more athletic big guys Iโve seen this year and does everything thatโs asked in that scheme.โ
โMatt Miller
ย Pass Blocking
Spencer Drango protects the blind side in Baylorโs vertical offense, which is vital for obvious reasons. The Bears throw deep early and often, and throwing deep requires protection. Even with his gunslinger tendencies, head coach Art Briles would rein things in if he didnโt trust his line to hold up. Drango is the key to Baylorโs line being trusted to hold up.
ย Run Blocking
Drango has played with a mean streak this season, and Baylorโs whole offense has followed. The Bears donโt mind playing physical and ramming the ball down opponentsโ throats, and Drango is one of the keys to that effort. He is built like an oversized guard with a thick frame (6โ6โ, 320 lbs) and stocky arms, which helps him control defenders in the running game.
ย Lateral Quickness
Drango is a fluid athlete with natural quickness. His kickslide is the key to his pass blocking, as he fires out of his stance and gains great depth against speed-rushers. He might not always reach linebackers as soon as he should, but for the most part, he checks out as an athlete.
ย Overall
Drango turned B/Rโs Matt Millerโand, one assumes, plenty of other NFL draft scoutsโinto a bigger believer this season. He proved he could play mean and finish reps with toughness, which, along with his obvious pass-blocking skills, makes him a hard player to criticize. The secret of Baylorโs offense is that the line is, and always has been, the lynchpin. Drango is the lynchpin of the line, and therefore the engine that makes Baylorโs offense go.
3. OG Joshua Garnett, Stanford
18 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โHeโs meaner than Iโm used to seeing from Stanford guys. Sometimes theyโre finesse blockers, but heโs really not. I think he has that mean streak in him that some of his predecessors lacked.โ
โMatt Miller
ย Pass Blocking
Joshua Garnett does a solid job in pass protection. He collaborates with center Graham Shuler to stuff the interior rush and keep quarterback Kevin Hogan clean. His headiness and strength make him difficult to surprise or bull rush up the middle. Improved technique would push him over the edge from very good to great as a pass-blocker.
ย Run Blocking
Garnett is one of the best run-blockersโif not the single best run-blockerโin college football. A large part of Christian McCaffreyโs record-breaking output came as a result of holes Garnett plowed open. He is big (6โ5โ, 321 lbs), strong and meaner than previous Stanford offensive linemen: the type who likes to brawl in the trenches. Watching him emerge as a senior has been a pleasure.
ย Lateral Quickness
Garnett is quick for a guard and moves well enough to contribute down the field. He wonโt be mistaken for an Oregon offensive linemanโthe type specifically molded to play in spaceโbut heโs a capable enough athlete. Sprightly defensive tackles and linebackers can exploit him, but those instances are rare.
ย Overall
Garnett played well in 12 of 13 games this season, struggling only against Oregon, when defensive end DeForest Buckner ate his lunch. But Buckner ate just about every linemanโs lunch this season, and Garnett returned the favor against every other defense Stanford played. He and Buckner were seniors in 2015, but thereโs a good chance they see each other again. Both should be high NFL draft picks.
2. OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State
19 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โI love Jack Conklin. High-character guy, very smart and tough as hell playing through injuries this year. Heโs one of those guys who if he busts [in the NFL], Iโll be shocked.โ
โMatt Miller
ย Pass Blocking
Jack Conklin is one of the best pass-blockers in America. As a freshman in 2013, he famously allowed zero sacks, and heโs continued to protect Connor Cook these past two seasons. He is smart, sound and tough on the blind side, which is, in many ways, the key to Michigan Stateโs offense. Itโs hard to say where MSU would be without him.
ย Run Blocking
Conklin has come a long way in the running game. As a former walk-on freshman, he was slightly undersized, but he now checks in 6โ6โ, 325 pounds, and he uses that strength to own the line of scrimmage and drive defensive ends backward. He finishes with authority and makes plays at the second level for an offense that, despite its all-world quarterback, prefers to run a balanced, pro-style system.
ย Lateral Quickness
Conklin is not an โeliteโ athlete, but heโs close. He moves better than a 325-pounder should, which is impressive considering how new the extra weight is on his frame. That he mixes speed with power is what makes him such a versatile pass-blocker. He has really great footwork and mirroring skills.
ย Overall
Football fans are trained to watch the quarterback. Cook is the star of the team, the face at the head of everything, so he of courseย receives all the credit. But Conklin is at his best when the broadcast doesnโt mention himโthe sign of a great offensive lineman. Itโs hard to say whether he or Cook is the โbestโ player on MSUโs offense, but both men are equally important.
1. OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
20 of 20
ย B/R Expert Scouting
โHeโs almost perfect in my opinion, because heโs so athletic and patient. I want a lineman who always looks like heโs in control, and I think thatโs what Stanley does best.โ
โMatt Miller
ย Pass Blocking
Ronnie Stanley is a pass-blocking prototype. He could stand to add some bulk but still has workable size (6'5 ยฝ", 315 lbs) to go with the feet of a former basketball player. Heโs active and flexible in pass protection, with long arms and mirroring skills to hold off all types of rushers.
ย Run Blocking
Stanley has improved as a run-blocker and excelled in what the Irish ask him to do. He paves holes between himself and the left guard, seals the edge on stretch plays and contributes at the second level. No matter who Notre Dame plugs in at running backโTarean Folston, C.J. Prosise or Josh Adamsโit always finds success running left. Stanley is a big reason why.
ย Lateral Quickness
Here is where Stanley stands out. His basketball background is obvious in space and when he goes against speed-rushers. Players with his size, length and functional power should not move around like tight ends. Stanley does, which makes him both a rare and important commodity.
ย Overall
Laremy Tunsilโs suspension at Ole Miss, which cost him more than half of the season, made Stanley an obvious choice for No. 1 on this list. He and Tunsil were supposed to battle for the throne all season and will likely battle for NFL draft position all winter, but Stanley won this round by default. Itโs hard to find a fault with his game.
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