The college football season is approaching. There is always debate over ranking the best players in the sport. Here are the top 25 college football interior offensive linemen heading into the 2022 season.
Note: While projection of what a player can be is taken into account, most rankings are from what has been seen on the field so far. These are not NFL Draft rankings, but rather focus on the best players in college football.
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25. Beaux Limmer, Arkansas Razorbacks
Limmer has helped the Razorbacks win the battle in the trenches during Sam Pittman’s tenure at the school. He has been recognized by some publications on lower-level All-SEC teams. The strength of the Arkansas team is in the offensive line and at the quarterback position with K.J. Jefferson, which has them looking great for the 2022 season.
24. Matthew Jones, Ohio State Buckeyes
Jones played well and was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season and is one of the most talented offensive lines in college football at Ohio State. In 2022, the Buckeyes will likely have a high-powered offense and the offensive line will help them put points on the board.
23. Grant Gibson, NC State Wolfpack
Last season, Gibson was Third Team All-ACC as NC State won nine games. Now, the Wolfpack are some of the favorites to win the ACC and with Gibson blocking up front, the skill position players can be very successful.
22. Hunter Woodard, Oklahoma State Cowboys
For the Cowboys, Woodard has started over the last two seasons at right guard and was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in 2021. The Cowboys have hopes of winning the Big 12 this season and Woodard can help make it a little bit easier.
21. J.D. Duplain, Michigan State Spartans
Duplain’s blocking helped open up holes for Kenneth Walker last season and he was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection. While Walker is now in the NFL, Duplain will want to keep the momentum going at Michigan State after winning 11 games in 2021.
20-16
20. Joe Tippman, Wisconsin Badgers
Tippman stepped into the starting lineup last season and was a solid center for the Badgers. His blocking helped Brealon Allen develop into a star. The Badgers will once again lean on the running game in 2022, with Tippman being a key part of that plan.
19. Kenneth Horsey, Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky’s offensive line hasn’t received a lot of credit, but it has been one of the SEC’s best over the last several years. Horsey is the best player on Kentucky’s offensive line this season and really helped the passing attack get off the ground last year after a few years of struggles.
18. Josh Lugg, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Lugg played sparingly over his first few seasons with the Fighting Irish, but started last season. He proved to be a solid starter as he specifically helped Notre Dame’s running game. The offensive line is set to be one of the better parts of Notre Dame in 2022.
17. Layden Robinson, Texas A&M Aggies
There are big expectations for Texas A&M and having Robinson helps. He was an All-SEC Second Team selection and his blocking could help Texas A&M take that next step in 2022.
16. Jacob Gall, Baylor Bears
Gall played at Buffalo to start his career then played last season at Baylor and showed he was up to the uptick in competition. He made some All-American and All-Big 12 teams in 2021 and the Bears will need his stability on the offensive line with some moving parts at other positions on their offense.
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15. Christian Mahogany, Boston College Eagles*
Mahogany has played two seasons for Boston College and is a solid player. He tore his ACL in June and is likely out for the 2022 season.
14. T.J. Bass, Oregon Ducks
After starting his college career at the JUCO level, Bass has spent the last two seasons with the Ducks. He made the All-Pac-12 First Team last season as the Ducks won 10 games last season. There is a new staff in place so having returning players who have been successful like Bass makes things easier.
13. Jake Renfro, Cincinnati Bearcats
Over the last season and a half, Renfro has been the starting center for the Bearcats. He was an All-AAC First Team selection with his blocking helping Cincinnati make it to the College Football Playoff. The offensive line remains in tact from last season, while other players have moved on to the pros.
12. Alex Forsyth, Oregon Ducks
Although he has played multiple positions along the offensive line, Forsyth has started at center over the last two seasons and is one of the best in college football. With Forsyth, the Ducks will be looking to return to the Pac-12 Championship Game, but win it this time.
11. Luke Wypler, Ohio State Buckeyes
Wypler started every game for Ohio State in 2021 as the team won the Rose Bowl. Expectations are higher for 2022 and the skill position players will get the hype, but Wypler and the offensive line are equally as important. After earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors in 2021, Wypler should progress in 2022.
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10. Caleb Chandler, Louisville Cardinals
Chandler started his career out at JUCO and then transferred into Louisville where he has gained more experience. He was named to the preseason All-ACC team and is one of the better players on the team along with quarterback Malik Cunningham.
9. Clark Barrington, BYU Cougars
He entered the program in 2018 and Barrington has proven to be one of the best interior linemen in college football. Early in his career, he blocked for Zach Wilson and now he is out in front of Jaren Hall as he emerges as a solid quarterback. With BYU’s tough schedule, Barrington will be tested.
8. Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas Razorbacks
Stromberg is entering his fourth year as a starter for the Razorbacks and is one of the best players in the SEC. He was an All-SEC Second Team selection in 2021 and helped Arkansas win nine games. The Razorbacks are now looking to be even more competitive in the SEC West with Stromberg leading the way.
7. Zack Zinter, Michigan Wolverines
Zinter was a big part of Michigan’s team who went to the College Football Playoff after the 2021 season. He helped establish the physical identity of the team and is now going to be a coveted draft prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft.
6. Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan Wolverines
Oluwatimi is joining Michigan this season following a good stint at Virginia. He was one of three finalists for the Rimington trophy, awarded to the top center in the country. With the addition of Oluwatimi, Michigan’s line may have improved over last season.
5-1
5. John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota Golden Gophers
The coaches named Schmitz to the All-Big Ten Second Team last season. He has started since the 2020 season and his experience is on display on a consistent basis. The Gophers’ offense gets Mo Ibrahim back at running back, so things could improve during the 2022 season.
4. O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida Gators
Torrence played three seasons at Louisiana before transferring to Florida. He started all three seasons and was named to the All-Sun Belt First Team in 2021. At Florida, he will immediately step in and improve the offensive line.
3. Andrew Vorhees, USC Trojans
Vorhees has been one of the better players on USC and is one of their best draft prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft. The addition of Lincoln Riley as head coach means the offense should see improvement, which will only help Vorhees show his talents.
2. Emil Ekiyor, Alabama Crimson Tide
Ekiyor is not only experienced, he has played in big games with 29 career starts. He returns to Alabama and with some uncertainty at the skill position players, he will be increasingly important early in the season to help the team set the tone.
1. Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
If it feels like Patterson has been at Notre Dame forever, it is probably valid. He joined Notre Dame in 2018. For his play in 2021, he made some All-American teams. While he isn’t the most athletic or the most coveted draft prospect, he is a very effective college center with tons of experience.
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