Unit Rankings The Trenches | scarletbuckeye's Blog

O-Line
1.

The Sooners hands down have the best Offensive line in the country. After leading OU to be 5th in the nation in scoring a season ago all 5 starters are back. Oh and did I mention all 5 are seniors. All 5 could be all-big-12 and no one would be surprised. In fact the team is stacked on the left side. Massive tackle Phil Loadholt returns and the solid Duke Robinson also is back. Both were all-americans a season ago, so expect huge things this season.
2.

I don't think people have any idea how amazing Tennessee's o line was a season ago. They passed the ball 534 times and allowed a nation low 4 sacks!! That is amazing, and they paved the way for a 1,000 yard rusher. I mean this is a line that only lost 1 starter, so they should be just as good this season. The line is led by center Josh McNeil one of the great centers in the nation, and Anthony Parker, an all-american a season ago.
3.

LSU is another team that returns plenty of talent form last season. 4 starters are back on the o-line, and the line was a big reason LSU won the national title in the first place. In fact I think people underestimated LSU's offense a year ago it was 11th in scoring, so it was high powered. Guard Herman Johnson and Tackle Ciron Black lead the line after both receiving all-SEC honors a season ago.
4.

Wisconsin's offensive line is one of the biggest in the nation, and it backs up that size, with great strength and drive to make plays. In fact the line returns 4 starters 3 of which who have started for at least 2 seasons. In fact Wisconsin has an unusually deep "O" line with many key reserves back. The stars are Guard Kraig Urbik, and tackle Eric Vanderhueval. And if Wisconsin continues to play well with the run, by the end of the year this unit could be #1.
5.

Ohio State has one of the deepest offensive lines in the nation. On the left side this team returns a pair of all-big-ten and all-american candidates 6-8 312 pound tackle, the star Alex Boone, and 6-7 340 pound tackle Steve Rehring, both massive bookends who rarely get beat, though Rehring needs to improve his speed. Center Jim Cordle was very,good a season ago in year 1 of starting at center, and he should continue to head up the team in the middle. The right side is a bit more inexperienced with guard Ben Person, a returning starter, but he split time a season ago. Tackle Bryant Browning won the left tackle job in the spring, and appears to be a solid player. The backups are amazing with 5* recruits Mike Brewster, JB Shugharts, and Mike Adams , who should all see significant playing time. Returning players Connor Smith, Kyle Mitchum, and Andrew Moses.
Others To Watch:
Alabama: Andre Smith, Antoine Caldwell
BYU: Rey Fienga, Dallas Reynolds
WVU: Greg Isander, Ryan Stancheck
Cal: Alex Mack, Mike Tepper
Florida: Phil Trautwein, Jim Tartt
Auburn: Tyronne Green, Lee Ziemba
Penn State: AQ Shipley, Gerald Cadogen
Texas: Adam Ulatowski, Cedric Dockery
TTU: Louie Vasquez, Rylan Reed
Nebraska: Matt Slauson, Mike Huff
Maryland: Edwin Williams, Scott Burley
Arizona: Eben Britton, Joe Longacore
D-Line
1.

LSU is the most stacked I have seen at any 1 position. they may have lost Dorsey, but that will not stop them. At End they return potential all-american and a player, who though struggled last season has been impressive throughout his career in Tyson Jackson. Jackson should be able to reach double-digit sacks if he plays to his potential. The other end spot will be occupied by last years sack leader on the team Kirston Pittman, who had 8. The tackle slots are where this team is loaded. Al Woods has never started in his career yet is so good and has so much potential he is being projected as a top 15 pick in the NFL draft. The other spot should be Ricky-Jean- Fracois, the national title defensive MVP, who should have a break out season. Behind them this team has a pair of players whp played significantly a season ago, but may see drops in playing time this season in Marlon Favorite and Charles Alexander.
2.

BC is a team that does not get the credit they deserve for their line. DE Alex Albright had 8.5 sacks a season ago and is a talented pass rusher. DT Ron Brace is a big run stuffer who had 27 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss a season ago. The wild card is DT BJ Raji who was suspended a season ago for academic issues. Raji had 8.5 tackles for loss and 23 tackles 2 seasons ago and really appeared to be poised to break out. If he returns to that form the line will be solid.
3.

Oklahoma may be the most talented line of any team in the nation. At End they start Auston English, who despite missing 2 games led the Big 12 with 8.5 sacks and chipped in 13.0 tackled for loss. The other end spot should be Jeremy Beals, and Beal has talent and showed it a season ago with 5 tackles for loss. THis team is deep at End returning significant contributors in John Williams, and Alan Davis. The DT's are both players who have been projected as first round picks. Gerald McCoy is only a sophomore, but had 6.5 tackles for loss a season ago, and is supremely talented. DeMarcus Granger had 35 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss a season ago, and he has the ability to be an all-american. Both were 5* recruits heading into college.
4.

GT is another school not short on D-line talent. The star of the line is Vance Walker, who a season ago had 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. His partner will be Darryl Richards, who had 11.5 tackles for loss a season ago. Both have the ability to be all-americans and should have big seasons. DE Michael Johnson will get his shot this season. This will be Johnson's first season as a starter, but the great athlete is still projected to be a top 10 pick in the draft. Expect big things from Johnson in year 1 as a starter.
5.

USC may have lost a pair of first round picks on the "D" line, but they appear t o be very ready this season to play well. The star of the line is DT Fili Moala, a projected top 10 pick. Moala would be more of a household name if he wasn't playing in Sedrick Ellis' shadow. Moala had 32 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss a season ago, but expect those numbers to be way up. The other DT should be a former hyped recruit Averell Spicer should take the other DT spot. He is inexperienced, but very talented. At end watch for last years star Frosh Everson Griffin. Griffin continues to impress and he had 5 sacks a season ago. Expect that number to double this season as he improves. The last spot is Kyle Moore's. Moore has had some great games, but needs to become more consistent.
Others To Watch:
Georgia: Jeff Owens, Geno Atkins
Clemson: DaQuan Bowers, Ricky Sapp
PSU: Maurice Evans, Josh Gaines
USF: George Selvie,Aaron Harris
Auburn: Sen'Derrick Marks, Antonio Coleman
ASU: Luis Vasquez,Dexter Davis
Ole Miss: Greg Hardy, Peria Jerry
Michigan: Terrance Taylor, Brandon Graham
Mizzou: Skyler Sulak, Ziggy Hood