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Heading into 2015, who has the strongest pass-blocking lines in the SEC? We’re a long way from opening day, but here’s how the conference looks during spring practice.
14. Kentucky — The good news is that Kentucky returns four of five starters from last year’s line. The bad is that the one it loses, left tackle Darrian Miller, was the best of one of the worst groups in the SEC. The Wildcats focused their efforts on recruiting offensive linemen for this year, and they’ll need their young starters from last year to develop and hope that Jordan Swindle transitions well to left tackle in order to keep Patrick Towles upright.
13. Vanderbilt — The Commodores were the first SEC team to hold their spring game, and while the defense looked good the results weren’t quite as favorable for the offense. Vandy struggled to protect its quarterbacks, and if the ‘Dores want to make any moves up the SEC standings they’ll need the offensive line to get up to speed.
12. Florida — With D.J. Humphries, Max Garcia and Chaz Green all departing, the Gators are in rebuild mode up front. Most fans know incoming freshman Martez Ivey, who is expected to grab a starting role at tackle, but the rest of the group up front is unproven and inexperienced. David Sharpe, Rod Johnson and Antonio Riles are all considered front runners to earn a starting job, and they’ll have their work cut out for them.
11. Mississippi State — Replacing a huge number of starters all over the roster, Mississippi State is faced with replacing three standout seniors on its offensive line. The Bulldogs will be counting on JUCO transfer Martinas Rankin to make an immediate impact; if he can’t, Dak Prescott’s senior season could be rougher than anticipated.
10. Tennessee — The Volunteers offensive line looked a lot better once Joshua Dobbs took over at quarterback, but he still had to use his legs to avoid oncoming pass rushers behind a young, shaky line. While Tennessee returns four of five starters, it’ll still be very young up front. Newcomers like Drew Richmond and Jack Jones will challenge for playing time and push the more veteran players.
9. South Carolina — Losing its two best offensive linemen from a group that struggled isn’t great news for South Carolina, as the Gamecocks will be looking to protect a new quarterback in 2015. The right side of the line, starring tackle Brandon Shell, returns in full. However, both A.J. Cann and Corey Robinson will likely be playing on Sundays this fall, leaving Carolina with the entire left side to replace.
8. Missouri — The Tigers return one of the most veteran groups in the SEC, with four returning starters who will all be seniors. Missouri will need them to play up to their experience level if Maty Mauk is going to shake his bad habit of fleeing the pocket at the first hint of trouble. Evan Boehm leads the group with 40 consecutive starts at guard or center, while senior Taylor Chappell will have to make up for the loss of Mitch Morse at left tackle.
7. Texas A&M — Last fall, the Aggies were far from the standard they’ve set along the offensive line. Cedric Ogbuehi is going to be an NFL draft pick, but his stock dropped as he struggled at times during 2014. Germain Ifedi looks to be well equipped to take over at left tackle, while Mike Matthews enters his third year as the starter at center. For Texas A&M’s offense to get back to its deadly efficiency levels, the offensive line will have to return to peak form under new position coach Dave Christensen.
6. Ole Miss — The Rebels were certainly shaky up front last year, but with all five starters returning they’ll be vastly improved in 2015. Laremy Tunsil is expected to make a full recovery from a broken leg by fall training camp, and many think he’ll be the best left tackle in the nation. Javon Patterson could challenge for time at guard, but expect the cohesion Ole Miss brings back help to power the offense.
5. LSU — Despite losing several starters, including All-American left tackle La’el Collins, and despite shuffling around the entire bunch, LSU returns one of the most talented offensive lines in the SEC. Jerald Hawkins is more than ready to take over for Collins at left tackle, while former guard Vadal Alexander moves to the right tackle slot. Any pass protection issues LSU had a year ago stemmed mostly from shaky quarterback play, and the Tigers should have an easier time protecting a more confident passer this season.
4. Auburn — Auburn had no problem protecting Nick Marshall, he of blazing speed and excellent elusiveness. Jeremy Johnson isn’t quite the same athlete, but he does move well. Auburn’s strength is getting out in space to block for the read-option, but the Tigers are also capable of keeping a clean pocket and shifting around to keep their passer on his feet. Auburn is faced with replacing standout center Reese Dismukes and two other members of the line, but guard Avery Young anchors a very strong unit.
3. Georgia — Returning four of five starters, two of them seniors (and one of those seniors heading into a sixth year with the program) will go a long way in making whoever wins the quarterback job comfortable. Blocking for the run is this group’s forte, but John Theus and Kolton Houston will hold down the edges while new starting center Hunter Long gets comfortable.
2. Arkansas — Bret Bielema’s teams always have excellent offensive lines, and this year’s Arkansas team will be the same. Bielema has had all of his offensive linemen drop some weight this offseason, all while he shuffles around their positions. With a little added mobility, Denver Kirkland and Dan Skipper should dominate at left and right tackle, respectively.
1. Alabama — Alabama is rebuilding up front, but they have plenty of talent and the two most vital positions already manned by some of the best players in the conference: center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Cam Robinson. Dominick Jackson will have a chance to live up to his status as the No. 1 JUCO offensive lineman in the country from 2014, while former backups like Alphonse Taylor, Bradley Bozeman and Grant Hill can all rely on the experience they gained while filling in for injured players last year.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
