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Athlon Sports
College Football's Top 25 Offensive Lines for 2024
By Steven Lassan,
1 day ago
Quarterbacks and skill talent usually get all of the preseason hype for offenses among any of the 134 college football teams. However, whether it's a signal-caller, running back, or receiver/tight end, none of those players or the offense overall can shine without a standout group of players leading the way in the trenches. Offensive linemen are often the unsung hero of a championship team, but the 2024 season has several groups that should get plenty of attention.
Four teams from the SEC - Georgia, LSU, Texas, and Alabama - take spots in the top 25 offensive lines for the 2024 college football season. Oregon is the lone team from outside the SEC in this ranking, but Miami, Florida State, Ohio State, and Oklahoma State take spots inside of the top 10.
How did we come up with these rankings? A couple of factors were considered. Depth, overall talent, production, level of competition and projected output in 2024 all factored into the rankings for the offensive line. While some teams may have experienced a down year last season, a new assistant, top recruit or a change of scheme can make a huge difference. These rankings reflect projections for '24, not solely what teams accomplished in '23.
College Football's Top 25 Offensive Lines for 2024
The Bulldogs will miss center Sedrick Van Pran and tackle Amarius Mims, but this unit is still in excellent shape overall and has quality depth across the board for the '24 season. Four starters are back for coach Kirby Smart, including Athlon preseason All-Americans in Tate Ratledge and Earnest Greene III. Dylan Fairchild (guard) and Xavier Truss (tackle) round out the other returning starters this fall, with sophomore Jared Wilson expected to fill Van Pran's shoes on the interior. The Bulldogs allowed the fewest sacks (13) of any team in the SEC and cleared the way for rushers to average five yards a carry in conference action last season.
Standout play by coach Brian Kelly's starting five in the trenches certainly aided quarterback Jayden Daniels' Heisman Trophy victory last season and remains one of the best in college football for new signal-caller Garrett Nussmeier in '24. The Bayou Bengals return four starters up front, including Athlon preseason All-Americans in tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones. Garrett Dellinger and Miles Frazier are back to man the guard spots, while freshman DJ Chester has the inside track to replace Charles Turner at center.
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Coach Steve Sarkisian's recruiting and player development up front is a big reason why Texas is ready for a smooth transition to the SEC. Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. has started all 27 games since arriving in Austin and is a first-team Athlon Sports All-American for '24. Junior Cameron Williams is projected to man the other tackle spot, while Hayden Conner and DJ Campbell are back as returning starters at the guard spots. Senior Jake Majors (41 starts) should push for All-SEC honors this fall.
The Ducks boast one of the best tackle pairings in college football with the return of Ajani Cornelius and Josh Conerly Jr. Per PFF, this duo combined to allow just one sack in '23. Fellow returning starter Marcus Harper II is expected to slot back in at left guard, with Indiana transfer Matthew Bedford likely to handle the starting duties on the right side. Center is the biggest concern with All-American Jackson Powers-Johnson off to the NFL. Iapani Laloulu (413 snaps per PFF last season) inherits big shoes to fill at the pivot and overall for a line that allowed only five sacks in '23.
Alabama's offensive line has room to improve after allowing the most sacks (49) in the SEC last season. In addition to the sack totals, rushers for the Crimson Tide managed only 3.9 yards per carry in conference action. While both of those numbers are alarming, having a different line coach (Chris Kapilovic) and overall scheme by new head coach Kalen DeBoer should help this unit reach its potential. After an up-and-down true freshman campaign (and a brief spring transfer to Iowa), Kadyn Proctor should take a step forward at left tackle. Guard Tyler Booker is among the nation's top returning linemen, while Washington transfer Parker Brailsford is expected to anchor the interior at center. Junior Jaeden Roberts is expected to man the right guard spot once again, while Elijah Pritchett and Wilkin Formby are battling for the right tackle job.
6. Tennessee Three starters - including standout center Cooper Mays - are back for coach Josh Heupel. LSU transfer Lance Heard should be a big-time addition at left tackle.
7. Miami Jalen Rivers and Francis Mauigoa return to form a standout pairing of tackles for new quarterback Cameron Ward.
8. Florida State Left tackle Darius Washington (third-team All-American by Athlon Sports) anchors a line that brings back three starters and added a couple of potential contributors from the portal.
9. Oklahoma State The Cowboys return all five starters (plus experienced depth) from a unit that allowed only 13 sacks last season. Also, all five of the projected starters should be seniors.
10. Ohio State The Buckeyes need more out of this group, but optimism is running high for improvement in '24. Tackle Josh Simmons should take a step forward in his second year with the team, while Alabama transfer Seth McLaughlin arrives to anchor the center position.
The Next Tier
11. Missouri 12. Clemson 13. West Virginia 14. Ole Miss 15. Georgia Tech 16. Wisconsin 17. Kentucky 18. Texas A&M 19. Cincinnati 20. Utah 21. Minnesota 22. NC State 23. Boise State 24. Iowa State 25. Michigan
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