Ranking the top 20 returning offensive linemen in the SEC

School soccer has modified fairly a bit through the years, however one truth stays unchanged. You want good offensive linemen to win large on this sport.

Georgia and Alabama have received nationwide titles behind an offensive line stuffed with future NFL gamers. LSU’s nationwide title-winning workforce in 2019 featured an offensive line that received the Joe Moore Award.

The latest title sport, with Michigan and Washington, featured two offensive strains that had been finalists for the Joe Moore Award.

The underside line is it’s essential to be good within the trenches to win.

Right here, we’ll be looking at one of the best returning offensive linemen within the SEC.

Campbell took over LSU’s left deal with place as a real freshmen in 2022 and by no means appeared again. The previous five-star recruit appeared like he belonged within the SEC the second he stepped on the sphere.

As a freshmen, he made the coaches’ all-conference second-team. In 2023, he was first-team all-conference.

Campbell didn’t enable a sack all yr in 2023 and was the second finest graded deal with within the SEC, in line with PFF.

He’s already taking part in at an elite stage, and we nonetheless don’t know what the ceiling appears like. Anticipate Campbell to be one of many high gamers within the 2025 NFL Draft.

Kelvin Banks, T, Texas

Banks adopted an identical path to Campbell. He was a five-star recruit that was able to play immediately.

In 2022, he allowed only one QB hit as a true-freshman. Final yr, Banks was once more among the finest go protectors within the nation, serving to lead Texas to a School Soccer Playoff look.

Banks was first-team All-Massive 12 in 2023 and he has a great likelihood of incomes the identical honor within the SEC.

Emery Jones, T, LSU

Jones wasn’t a five-star like among the different guys atop this record, however that didn’t cease him from making waves as a true-freshmen.

LSU’s offensive line struggled early in 2022. That’s when Brian Kelly turned to Jones at proper deal with. There have been some rising pains, however Jones started to settle in.

In 2023, Jones took one other step and was among the finest run-blocking tackles within the nation. There’s nonetheless room to develop, and if he continues to progress as a go blocker, he’ll be among the finest gamers within the nation.

Jones seemingly initiatives as a guard within the NFL, however he’ll be a great one.

Ratledge is our first guard to make the record. He handed up the NFL draft, electing to return to high school for a fifth-year.

In keeping with PFF, Ratledge was the highest graded pass-blocker within the SEC final yr. Not simply amongst guards, however among the many total offensive line.

He was first-team All-SEC final yr and that’s the place he must be once more in 2024.

With Ratledge main the best way, UGA is ready to have some of the dominant inside offensive strains within the nation.

Armand Membou, T, Missouri

Missouri is dropping an elite deal with with Javon Foster on his approach out, however the Tigers return one other stable participant in Membou.

He doesn’t have the identical dimension different tackles on this record do, however he’s been among the finest go blockers within the convention since he made his debut in 2022.

Within the clip above, you’ll see he has the explosiveness to get down area and block within the run sport too.

He was listed as an inside offensive linemen as a recruit, however Missouri has executed a great job creating right here.

Cox might be coming into his sixth yr of school soccer, making him some of the skilled gamers on this record.

He started his profession at Northern Illinois earlier than transferring to Kentucky final yr, however he has over 3,000 profession offensive snaps underneath his belt.

Cox was a top-10 deal with within the SEC final yr regardless of coming off an damage that lower his 2022 season brief. Getting Cox again was large for the Kentucky offensive line and it is a place the place expertise issues.

The veteran has an opportunity to push for all-conference honors this fall.

Trey Zuhn, T, Texas A&M

Texas A&M has had some roster turnover the final couple of years, however deal with Trey Zuhn has remained a constant piece.

He’ll return for a fourth yr in 2024, serving to get the Mike Elko underway.

The Aggies offensive line was iffy final yr, however that blame can’t be positioned on Zuhn. He was among the finest go blockers within the nation and impressed towards robust competitors.

At 6-foot-7, he has the dimensions to go to the following stage. He’ll look to place all of it collectively and take one other step this yr, however A&M is in a great spot at left deal with.

Dylan Fairchild, G, UGA

You may all the time anticipate just a few Georgia offensive linemen to be on these lists and now we have one other one with guard Dylan Fairchild.

Fairchild was among the finest all-around offensive linemen within the nation final yr, however like his UGA guard counterpart Ratledge, he excelled go blocking. He didn’t enable a sack all yr.

With Ratledge and Fairchild on the inside, defenses will want a great set of defensive tackles to defend Georgia.

Jaeden Roberts, G, Alabama

The Alabama line wasn’t pretty much as good as followers have turn out to be accustomed to in 2023, however the Tide had been stable on the guard spot.

Roberts’ was PFF’s high graded guard in 2023 and he’ll be again for extra in 2024.

A high 300 recruit within the class of 2021, Roberts noticed his first-real taking part in time in 2023, taking up as a starter in week six. He made essentially the most of it, taking part in a few of his finest video games towards Bama’s hardest opponents.

The Crimson Tide are present process loads of change with Nick Saban retiring and Kalen DeBoer taking up, however continuity on the inside offensive line will assist.

Garrett Dellinger, G, LSU

Dellinger is one other man who has been taking part in since he was a true-freshmen.

Positionally, he bounced round a great bit, even making an attempt his hand at heart. In 2023, he settled into LSU’s left guard spot and was among the finest within the SEC.

He was one of many high inside go blockers within the convention, permitting only one sack in practically 500 go professional snaps.

He’ll return alongside Campbell in 2024, and collectively, they’ll type among the finest tackle-guard combos within the nation.

Jake Majors, C, Texas

Jake Majors is available in as our high heart after a terrific 2023.

Few facilities have the expertise Majors has after taking up the beginning job in 2021. Having a man like this up the center ought to assist Texas make that transition to dealing with SEC fronts.

In keeping with PFF, Majors was the top-graded pass-blocking heart on groups set to compete within the SEC this fall.

With Banks at left deal with and Majors at heart, the Texas offensive line stays in a great spot regardless of dropping some stable items.

Booker is the second Alabama guard to make this record as the previous five-star recruit enters his junior yr.

He noticed a great period of time as a freshmen in 2022, however took over the beginning left guard spot final yr.

In keeping with PFF, solely 4 guards within the SEC posted run blocking and go blocking grades above 70. Booker was one among them, making him among the finest all-around offensive linemen within the convention.

He struggled towards Michigan, permitting 4 pressures, however along with his dimension and expertise, he’s positive to attract NFL consideration subsequent spring.

Earnest Greene, T, Georgia

Greene noticed his first school motion as a redshirt freshmen in 2023, giving him much less expertise than another gamers on this record. However he’s a former high 50 recruit and may very well be only one step from placing all of it collectively.

ESPN’s Matt Miller listed Greene as a sleeper for the 2025 NFL Draft. Given Greene’s expertise with Georgia’s latest offensive deal with manufacturing, there are excessive hopes.

Greene began each sport at left deal with for UGA in 2023, permitting only one sack in 14 contests.

It’s uncommon for an offensive deal with to leap off the display, however that’s precisely what Greene does within the clip above, showcasing a uncommon mix of pace and energy.

Austin Barber, T, Florida

Barber was one of many high graded tackles within the SEC as a redshirt freshmen in 2022. In keeping with PFF, Barber posted one of the best run block grade amongst SEC tackles as he landed on the freshmen All-American workforce.

He didn’t put up the identical numbers in 2023 as he grappled with an higher physique damage, however he’s proven he can play at a high-level on this league.

Barber was only a three-star recruit in 2021, however it is a case the place growth paid off.

He’ll look to return wholesome in 2024 and as soon as once more be one of many SEC’s high tackles.

Jake Slaughter, C, Florida

We’ll persist with Florida right here however transfer to the inside to check out heart Jake Slaughter.

Slaughter wasn’t initially slated to be Florida’s beginning heart, however he ended up because the second-best graded heart within the convention, per PFF.

He has simply 597 profession snaps, however he performed a few of his finest video games towards UF’s hardest opponents and didn’t enable a single sack after week one.

The Gators will depend on Slaughter to be a key piece in 2024 as they face a tricky SEC schedule.

Truss first obtained to Athens in 2019 and he’ll be again for a sixth yr in 2024.

At 6-foot-7, Truss is a pressure. He had some tough moments in go safety final yr, permitting 22 pressures, however he was ok to earn all-conference honors.

From 2020-22, he didn’t enable a single sack in over 1,000 snaps. That’s what he’ll look to get again to in 2024.

There’s an opportunity Truss finally ends up loads higher than the Sixteenth-best linemen within the SEC, however for now he has room to develop relating to defending the passer.

Cam’Ron Johnson, G, Missouri

Missouri showcased among the finest run video games within the SEC final yr. The work Johnson did on the inside was an enormous a part of that.

As demonstrated within the above clip towards Ohio State, Johnson is an elite run blocker. He struggled in go safety at occasions, however he greater than made up for it within the run sport.

Johnson transferred to Missouri from Houston final yr, and 2023 was simply his first yr within the SEC. Now with a yr of expertise underneath his belt, Johnson might take one other soar in 2024.

Miles Frazier, G, LSU

It obtained troublesome to separate the guards at this level. There isn’t an enormous distinction between Johnson, Frazier, or the few gamers that can come subsequent.

Frazier is a former offensive deal with that transferred to LSU from FIU previous to 2022. He settled right into a guard spot final yr and the abilities that allowed him to play offensive deal with had been on full show.

Frazier’s go blocking grade ranked third amongst SEC guards, solely behind UGA’s Ratledge and Fairchild.

He was a freshmen All-American at FIU in 2021 and has been a key piece of LSU’s rebuild on the offensive line.

Javontez Spraggins, G, Tennessee

Tennessee is ready to have some of the skilled strains within the SEC this fall. Spraggins might be one among a number of seniors up entrance for Tennessee.

Spraggins has over 2,500 profession offensive snaps underneath his belt however had a profession yr in 2023.

He was an element within the run sport and the go sport for the Vols. At 6-foot-3 he isn’t the most important man, however he’s confirmed himself as a plus participant within the SEC.

With a younger QB taking up the offense, having a veteran OL might be a bonus for Tennessee in 2024.

Skilled guards have gotten a theme as we shut out this record.

Braun started his profession at Florida earlier than transferring to Arkansas final yr. Not loads went proper for the Razorback offense in 2023, however Braun was a vibrant spot.

Braun earned All-SEC honors for his work and can look to do it once more in 2024.

Story initially appeared on LSU Tigers Wire