Big Ten Football: Power Ranking the Offensive Lines in 2016
One of the tougher units for the average fan—and yes, sportswriter—to evaluate, a strong offensive line has often been a necessity for finding success in the Big Ten.
Between Woody Hayes' three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust mentality and the plethora of first-round picks the conference has produced throughout its history, the Big Ten has a long-standing tradition when it comes to impressive front fives.
The upcoming season shouldn't be much different, with the league as a whole returning no shortage of experience when it comes to its offensive lines. For some programs, that's a good thing, while for others, they still have plenty to prove based on their returning starters and the results they produced a year ago.
Spring football may just wrapping up, but success in the trenches has often led to success overall in the Big Ten.
With that in mind, here's how I rank each team's offensive line heading into 2016.
14. Penn State
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The good news for Penn State is that if it wants to put all five of its starting offensive linemen from a year ago on the field, it has the ability to do so.
The bad news is that given the results the Nittany Lions yielded, that probably isn't the best fix for their offensive line woes in 2016.
A year after allowing 44 sacks, Penn State's offensive line wasn't much better in 2015, allowing 39 quarterback sacks—the most in the Big Ten. Despite the play of freshman running back Saquon Barkley, the Nittany Lions' rushing attack wasn't much more impressive either, ranking 12th in the conference with an average of 134.15 rushing yards per game.
When it comes to the unprecedented sanctions they've dealt with in recent years, it's the Nittany Lions' offensive line that not only appears to have been hit the hardest but that will apparently be the last to recover. With offensive line coach Herb Hand having departed for Auburn, look for head coach James Franklin to shuffle the unit around in 2016, with Andrew Nelson at left tackle, both guard spots and right tackle up for grabs and Brian Gaia at center.
If there are any positives for Penn State's offensive line, it's that Franklin has recruited well and it has nowhere but up to go from here. But until the results show, it's hard to consider the Nittany Lions' line any better than the worst in the Big Ten.
13. Purdue
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When it comes to its offensive line, experience shouldn't be lacking for Purdue in 2016.
The Boilermakers return three starters to the unit from a year ago, including right guard Jordan Roos, left guard Jason King and right tackle Cameron Cermin.
That, however, may not necessarily be a positive considering the state of the Purdue front five a year ago. The Boilermakers ranked 12th in the Big Ten in sacks allowed (29) and 13th in rushing offense with an average of 131.33 yards on the ground per game en route to their 2-10 record in 2015.
With former offensive line coach Jim Bridge having left for Duke this offseason, Purdue hired former Michigan offensive line coach Darrell Funk, who played a key role in developing eventual first-round pick Taylor Lewan in Ann Arbor. Just how much of an impact Funk will have in his first season in West Lafayette remains to be seen, but he has his work cut out for him in taking over one of the conference's least impressive units.
12. Minnesota
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Due to several key injuries throughout the season, the Minnesota offensive line lacked plenty in 2015—most notably stability.
And while the Golden Gophers did an admirable job of protecting quarterback Mitch Leidner, ranking third in the league in sacks allowed (18), they didn't give their ground game much of a push, with Minnesota ranking 11th in the league with 144.08 rushing yards per game.
Enter Bart Miller, who finds himself taking over the unit following the firing of Matt Limegrover at the end of last season. The Golden Gophers' new offensive line coach won't have much experience to work with, however, although Jonah Pirsig has played both tackle spots and injuries allowed center Tyler Moore to get on the field as a true freshman a year ago.
Elsewhere, Minnesota's offensive line remains a work in progress. But any semblance of continuity should help its cause in 2016, after a 2015 performance that found itself lacking in just that.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
11. Illinois
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With three starting offensive linemen from a year ago returning to Champaign, Lovie Smith will have a relatively experienced group to work with in his first season as the head coach at Illinois.
But the Fighting Illini's front five is going to need to take a step forward from a year ago in order for the offense to see overall improvement, especially when it comes to running the ball.
Despite possessing NFL prospect Josh Ferguson and talented freshman Ke'Shawn Vaughn at running back, Illinois ranked dead last in the Big Ten in rushing last season, with an average of 129.25 yards per game on the ground. The O-line, however, was adequate when it came to protecting quarterback Wes Lunt, with Illinois surrendering just 20 sacks last season, the sixth-fewest in the Big Ten.
With former Jacksonville Jaguars assistant Luke Butkus returning to the Illini as their offensive line coach, a unit that includes returning left tackle Austin Schmidt, center Joe Spencer and right tackle Christian DiLauro should benefit from the addition of NFL-caliber coaching. Both guard spots are up for grabs, including the one vacated by third-team All-Big Ten selection Ted Karras, but the pieces are in place for the Illinois line to improve in 2016.
10. Nebraska
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All things considered, Nebraska's offensive line was hardly the weak link of the Cornhuskers' disappointing 6-7 campaign under Mike Riley in 2015.
But with just two starters returning from last season's unit, the Nebraska offensive line remains one of the biggest question marks in the conference in 2016.
With just center/guard Dylan Utter and right tackle Nick Gates returning as starters from last year's team, the unit will carry over little continuity after ranking second in the Big Ten in sacks allowed (14) and sixth in rushing yards (180 yards per game). The eligibility of second-team All-Big Ten tackle Alex Lewis has expired, and Zach Sterup, Chongo Kondolo and Ryne Reeves each possessed significant experience in their own right.
That will leave players such as David Knevel, Jerald Foster and Paul Thurston to carry the load alongside Utter and Gates. The talent is there, and offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh's first season was impressive, but until the players actually get on the field for a game, it's going to be tough to know what to expect from the Huskers in 2016.
9. Rutgers
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With Chris Ash taking over as the head coach at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights are looking to implement an uptempo offensive system similar to the one Ash saw in practice every day as the defensive coordinator at Ohio State the past two years.
And while that may be a tough adjustment for an offensive line, Rutgers will benefit from the return of four starters from a year ago in left guard Dorian Miller, center Derrick Nelson, right guard Chris Muller and right tackle J.J. Denman.
"We've got some really big guys," offensive line coach A.J. Blazek said, per Keith Sargeant of NJ.com. "We've got some great players here and they're excited to get going. They're excited for something fresh."
The Scarlet Knights were steady but unspectacular up front a year ago, ranking ninth in the league in sacks allowed (25) and seventh in rushing (169.92 yards per game). The loss of left tackle Keith Lumpkin is a significant one, but Rutgers could still improve in the coming year thanks to both its experience and quicker pace under the direction of the new coaching staff.
8. Maryland
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For Maryland, the departures of three of its starting offensive linemen from a year ago could be considered a significant blow, as the Terrapins ranked third in the Big Ten in rushing (200.67 yards per game) in 2015.
But the two returning starters in College Park this season are talented, and Maryland has actually recruited well on the line in recent years.
Of all the offensive tackles in the Big Ten, no one may possess as much talent as Maryland right tackle Damian Prince, a former 5-star prospect who enjoyed his first season as a starter for the Terrapins a year ago. Prince will return alongside left tackle Michael Dunn, who started 11 games at the position for the Terrapins in 2015.
Inside, Maryland has work to do, replacing its starting center and both offensive guards. But former 4-star prospect Quarvez Boulware could lock up one of the guard spots, and the Terrapins' 2016 class included a pair of 4-star linemen in Terrance Davis and Richard Merritt.
Whether they'll be ready to play right away as true freshmen remains to be seen. But talent is not lacking in College Park heading into 2016.
7. Michigan State
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For a number of reasons—most notably injuries—Michigan State's offensive line rarely saw consistency in its lineups or production throughout the Spartans' run to the College Football Playoff.
Despite winning the Big Ten championship for the second time in three years, Michigan State ranked seventh in the Big Ten in sacks allowed (21) and ninth in rushing (151.29 yards per game).
This season, head coach Mark Dantonio and offensive line coach Mark Staten have their work cut out for them, with likely first-round pick and left tackle Jack Conklin heading to the NFL and first-team All-Big Ten center Jack Allen's eligibility having expired. Ultimately, the Spartans will return just two starting offensive linemen from last year's team in tackle Kodi Kieler and guard Brian Allen.
And while Benny McGowan also possesses significant in-game experience and may have the inside track to replace Allen at center, there's no dancing around the holes left by MSU's two departing All-Americans. Dantonio has rebuilt before, and now he'll have to do it again by mixing and matching one of the Big Ten's less experienced units.
"We've been able to plug in a guy that has significant game experience," Dantonio said, per Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press. "So I think we'll still maintain that approach. I think we have those numbers."
6. Northwestern
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Despite its offense ranking last statistically in the Big Ten in 2015, the Northwestern offensive line got the job done on the ground. The Wildcats ranked fourth in the Big Ten in rushing with an average of 188.54 yards per game.
This year, the Northwestern line will get the chance to take a step forward, with four starters returning in tackles Blake Hance and Eric Olson, guard Connor Mahoney and center Ian Park. The group wasn't great at protecting quarterback Clayton Thorson—the Wildcats ranked 11th in the Big Ten in sacks allowed with 29—but the continuity maintained from a year ago should allow the unit to grow.
The lone new starter appears to be Shane Mertz, who is expected to fill the void at right guard left by Matt Frazier. Mertz did, however, start in six games last season, making Northwestern's line arguably the most experienced in all the Big Ten.
What will that experience mean in 2016? That's to be determined. And at the very least, we already know this group is capable of paving the way for one of the conference's most potent rushing attacks.
5. Iowa
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From a statistical standpoint, Iowa's offensive line was relatively unimpressive throughout its run to a 12-0 regular-season record in 2015, at least when it came to protecting quarterback C.J. Beathard. The Hawkeyes ranked 13th in the Big Ten in sacks allowed (30) but also fifth in rushing (181.71 yards per game).
This season, Iowa will benefit from the return of three of its starting offensive linemen from a year ago, in tackles Ike Boettger and Boone Myers and guard Sean Welsh. The two offensive linemen the Hawkeyes will be replacing, however, were arguably their best a year ago: All-Big Ten selections Jordan Walsh and Austin Blythe.
Having already released a tentative depth chart for the coming year, head coach Kirk Ferentz seems to know the direction he wants to take his offensive line in, with James Daniels listed as the new starting center and Myers sliding to guard to open up a spot for tackle Cole Croston. There's no guaranteeing Ferentz's plan will stick, but at this point, he has an idea of what he wants to do.
At the very least, Croston has experience, starting 10 games because of injuries a year ago. In reality, the Hawkeyes offensive line is more experienced than it appears to be from the outside looking in and should be one of the better units in the Big Ten in 2016.
4. Indiana
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When it comes to numbers, there wasn't a better offensive line in the Big Ten in 2015 than Indiana's. The Hoosiers ranked first in the conference in sacks allowed (13) and second in rushing (210.46 yards per game).
But while quarterback Nate Sudfeld and running back Jordan Howard appear to be the biggest departures from last year's team, the biggest blow may come in the form of the loss of All-American offensive tackle Jason Spriggs.
Nevertheless, Indiana will still possess one of the better offensive lines in the Big Ten in 2016, with All-American guard Dan Feeney returning as the unit's new headliner. In 37 career starts, the Hoosiers right guard has allowed just one sack.
Additionally, Feeney's left guard counterpart, Jacob Bailey, will return to Bloomington, as will right tackle Dimitric Camiel. The loss of Spriggs at left tackle may be glaring, but Indiana still has the pieces in place to once again put together one of the Big Ten's best offensive lines in the coming year.
3. Ohio State
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With just two starters returning from last year's team, Ohio State possesses one of the least experienced offensive lines in the Big Ten.
But when you recruit as well as Urban Meyer has, you deserve the benefit of the doubt.
Plus, the starters the Buckeyes are returning aren't too shabby either, with guard-turned-center Pat Elflein earning first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2015 and left guard Billy Price being a third-team all-conference selection. According to Meyer, you can't put a value on the experience a player like Elflein provides, especially on a team as young as this year's Buckeyes.
"If you were trying to break in a new quarterback and a new center, you probably have no shot," Meyer said. "The fact that [Elflein and quarterback J.T. Barrett] are back, we have a shot. I think we have a decent shot of being good on offense, and it's mostly due to those two guys coming back."
As for the open spots, Jamarco Jones appears to have wrapped up to left tackle job, while Isaiah Prince has a hold on right tackle coming out of the spring. The one concern for Meyer seems to be right guard, but if his first four years in Columbus have been any indication, he'll soon have an answer for that too.
2. Wisconsin
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Even with a gaping hole at left tackle left by Tyler Marz, Wisconsin enters 2016 with plenty of experience on its offensive line.
The injuries suffered by the Badgers a year ago may ultimately be a blessing in disguise, after one stretch of Wisconsin's season saw four different right tackles start in consecutive weeks.
As a result, Marz's presumed successor, Jacob Maxwell, has playing time under his belt, as does new right tackle Beau Benzschawel. Guards Michael Deiter and Micah Kapoi each saw significant playing time last season as well, and center Dan Voltz is one of the Big Ten's best.
Add in that redshirt freshman Jon Dietzen appears poised for playing time, and the Badgers may well have the most complete line in the Big Ten. All it needs to do now is stay healthy, something that seemed easier said than done in 2015.
1. Michigan
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After being a perceived weakness during the Brady Hoke era, it took just one season for the Michigan offensive line to turn into a strength under Jim Harbaugh.
And despite the loss of center Graham Glasgow, the Wolverines line should only improve in 2016.
Sure, it may take some reshuffling to do so, with offensive line coach Tim Drevno experimenting with different lineup combinations throughout the spring in order to maintain the consistency of a unit that ranked third in the Big Ten in sacks allowed (18) in 2015. Throughout the spring, former left tackle Mason Cole shifted to center, with sophomore Grant Newsome moving to left tackle.
"In spring ball, you roll out the balls, you try different people in different positions, it's not like you're playing a game on Saturday, you try to see where people fit best," Drevno said, per Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press.
Elsewhere, Ben Braden returns at left guard, Kyle Kalis will start at right guard, and Erik Magnuson will once again serve as Michigan's right tackle. That's an awful lot of experience coming back on what was already one of the Big Ten's best units one year ago.
Ben Axelrod is Bleacher Report's Big Ten lead writer. You can follow him on Twitter @BenAxelrod. Unless noted otherwise, all quotes were obtained firsthand. All statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com. Recruiting rankings courtesy of 247Sports.
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