CSD Mag Positional Rankings: Offensive Line

Over the past month or so, I’ve rolled out 15 “teasers” for the CSD Mag (if you missed any, you can find them all under the football tab) Now, it’s time to start rolling out the full thing, starting with my “positional rankings” The categories for these are: QB, RB, WR, OL, DL, LB, DB, and ST (Special Teams). They will be released in that order.
All stats via sports-reference.com, and all recruiting rankings via 247sports.com
CSD Mag Offensive Line Unit Rankings
#1 – Alabama
There aren’t too many statistics for offensive lineman, the two I feel are the best (and very simple) are yards per carry and sacks allowed, and Bama ranked near the top in both of them last year. Despite playing the toughest schedule in football last year, the Bama O-Line cleared the way for the Tide backfield’s average of 5.8 yards per carry, and they allowed just 1.6 sacks per game. Left Tackle Jonah Williams could be the best underclassmen o-lineman in the country. He started all 15 games at right tackle last year. Junior LG Ross Pierschbacher and Senior C Bradley Bozeman also started last year for the Tide. Alabama has four star recruits as backups to their backups on the O-Line, and they are the best unit in college football.
#2 – Oklahoma
At 6’8″ and 360 pounds Orlando Brown could be the best lineman in the country. He was just a three-star recruit in the class of 2014, but after redshirting a year, Brown started at left tackle (arguably the 2nd-most important position in football) as a freshman. He was the Big 12’s offensive lineman of the year last season, and is the top offensive line prospect for the upcoming 2018 draft. The Sooners return all five starters from a roster that allowed just 1.6 sacks per game in 2016.
#3 – Clemson
Clemson loses All-ACC Center Jay Guillermo, but they return their other four starters from a team that allowed just 1.3 sacks per game last year. Left Tackle Mitch Hyatt has started all but one game in his two years with the Tigers, and he allowed zero sacks in 2016. RG Tyrone Crowder, LG Taylor Hearn, and RT Sean Pollard all return, and Justin Falcinelli replaces Guillermo in the middle.
#4 – LSU
Despite being plagued with injuries in 2016, LSU averaged 6.1 yards per carry (best in the power five), and allowed just 1.6 sacks per game. The Tigers return three starters, including G Maea Teuhema, and LT K.J. Malone, son of 14x all-star Karl Malone. The key standout is Will Clapp. Clapp was a Freshman All-American in 2015, and received All-SEC honors in 2016 at the guard position, but with Ethan Pocic heading to the NFL, Clapp will shift to the center.
#5 – Auburn
Auburn allowed just 1.5 sacks per game in 2016, and they return three starters from that team. Center Austin Golson, tackle Darius James, and Braden Smith. Smith was an All-SEC player at guard, and could have left for the NFL last year, but decided to come back for his senior season. Smith could contend for All-American honors at right tackle. Four-star sophomore Marquel Harrell and Jacksonville State transfer Casey Dunn could contend for starting roles.
#6 – Ohio State
#7 – Notre Dame
#8 – Texas
#9 – Missouri
#10 – Stanford
#11 – Oregon
#12 – Washington
#13 – Iowa
#14 – TCU
#15 – Washington State
#16 – Arkansas
#17 – Pittsburgh
#18 – Michigan
#19 – Kansas State
#20 – Wisconsin
#21 – Mississippi
#22 – Tennessee
#23 – USC
#24 – Kentucky
#25 – Miami