Texas A&M has had a very nice run when it comes to offensive tackles.

From 2010-2012, Luke Joeckel manned the left side, while Jake Matthews held down the right. Joeckel was chosen second overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, but it was no worry for the Aggies. Matthews simply slid over to the left side, dominating in a similar fashion. After one year at left tackle, he went sixth overall in the 2014 draft.

Over those four years, the Aggies had two first-team All-SEC selections, along with a second-team All-Big 12 nod, two unanimous All-Americans and the 2012 Outland Trophy winner.

Last season represented a step back. Left tackle Cedric Ogbuehi followed the path set that Matthews set out, moving from right tackle to left to fill in for a departed All-American. Many thought Ogbuehi would carry on the legacy and end up another top-10 draft pick.

Ogbuehi will go somewhere in the NFL draft next month, despite an ACL tear that won’t heal completely before the draft. Even before the injury, Ogbuehi’s status slipped out of the first round thanks to an uneven season and questionable technique. Ogbuehi made his way onto the All-SEC second team, but he wasn’t up to the standard set by Joeckel and Matthews.

Where does Texas A&M turn now?

Germain Ifedi could be ready to make the same right-to-left switch that his three predecessors did. He has good quickness and technique that would suit him well for the position, perhaps more so than Ogbuehi. However, with Ifedi taking snaps at right tackle this spring, Avery Gennesy, a junior college transfer from last, has been holding down the left side with the first team. After redshirting last fall, Gennesy and Ifedi are the two main competitors for the left tackle spot under new offensive line coach Dave Christensen.

To get back to the heights they reached in 2012 and 2013, the Aggies will need the offensive line to get back up to where it was a few years ago. Texas A&M has Mike Matthews, Jake’s younger brother, to man the center spot. While the interior has to improve as well, the biggest questions are at the bookends.

Those All-Americans were recruited by Kevin Sumlin’s predecessor, Mike Sherman, as were Ogbuehi and starting guard Joseph Cheek. Sumlin is doing his best to bring in his own stars on the offensive line. Over the last two recruiting classes, the Aggies have brought in nine offensive linemen. Some, like Gennesy, Koda Martin and Jermaine Eluemunor, will compete for starting jobs this year. The rest will wait in the wings and provide depth.

If the players to solidify the line aren’t ready this year, Sumlin can look to 2016. Greg Little, the No. 1 offensive line prospect in the country, has already committed to Texas A&M. The Allen, Texas native, where Ogbuehi and (hopefully) incoming quarterback Kyler Murray hail from has a chance to end his high school career ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the nation.

Sumlin and Christensen would obviously prefer not to wait that long. They have talent on the roster now to make a leap forward from last year’s 8-5 record. To do that, they need to get the offensive line up to speed and properly configured as quickly as possible. This fall is a critical one for the direction of the program, and the Aggies need the offensive line to help lead the way.