Stars definitely matter on the offensive line

Yesterday, 2026 Nixa (Mo.) offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, the No. 2 overall prospect in On3’s rankings, committed to the Miami Hurricanes. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal has made offensive line recruiting a focus at all his stops, and his ability to land a future star in Cantwell has The U in good shape to protect whoever lines up under center for the Canes.

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Cristobal’s focus on a position he played makes sense. Cam Ward’s line gave him ample time in 2024 to pass for 4313 yards and 39 touchdowns with a 67.2 completion percentage. The Hurricanes gave up 23 sacks in 13 games in 2024, better than some quality College Football Playoff teams like Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Clemson, and Notre Dame.

Offensive line remains critical in the spread era, and it may be the position that illustrates best how important stars are to building successful teams and why pursuing top talents like Cantwell is necessary for top contenders.

Looking at data from the 2022, 2023, and 2024 recruiting classes, On3’s top five tackles and top five interior offensive linemen in all three cycles have a remarkably low rate of, for lack of a better term, washing out. Only two from that group of 30 have reached the NFL after declaring for the most recent draft. Of the remaining 28, only four have technically hit the transfer portal.

Teams covet O-linemen with stars next to their name because they allow the rest of the stars around them to do their job. That’s not just at quarterback, but at wide receiver, running back, and elsewhere. And when they have them, for the most part, they keep them at all costs.

On3’s quality O-line rankings, and some of the players on this list, illustrate why it’s important to put the best raw talent into developmental programs as opposed to placing an undue reliance on development of lower-rated talent. Look at the names, the teams involved, and the individual standing of the players mentioned within their programs as proof.

2022

Offensive Tackles

1. Kelvin Banks, Texas
2. Tyler Booker, Alabama
3. Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame
4. Jake Taylor, Oklahoma
5. Elijah Pritchett, Alabama > Nebraska

Guards/Centers

1. DJ Campbell, Texas
2. Neto Umeozulu, Texas
3. Joey Tanona, Notre Dame > Purdue
4. Earnest Greene, Georgia
5. Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame

Banks and Booker were first round picks, but everyone else is taking on their fourth year in college football. Pritchett is the only regular transfer from this crew considering Tanona’s odd circumstances. Tanona had to medically retire in 2022, then entered the portal and found a home at Purdue where he made sparing appearances.

Looking at the tackles, Wagner was a big time figure at right tackle for the Fighting Irish during their national finals run. Taylor has been limited over the past few seasons. Pritchett started at Alabama at right guard and even stood in for a few snaps at left tackle. Overall, Taylor is the only one from this group that hasn’t hit compared to his lofty ranking. He’s in a position battle in Norman at right tackle.

Campbell is a starter and Umeozulu has an inside track on the other interior role in Austin. Though ranked on the interior, Greene is the starter at left tackle for Georgia and has performed well when healthy. Schrauth missed a handful of games but will be part of a likely great O-line for Notre Dame.

Experience is a key factor in why these players have seen the field, but nearly all 10 turned into starting caliber players for top teams and a couple have already played at a high enough level to head to the NFL. The onset of NIL that keeps a number of fringe draft picks in the college ranks for more money may also explain why only two have gone to the NFL. But in the case of rankings, these players have largely lived up to their lofty expectations and their programs have made strong efforts to keep them home.

2023

Offensive tackles

1. Monroe Freeling, Georgia
2. Zalance Heard, LSU > Tennessee
3. Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
4. Charles Jagusah, Notre Dame
5. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama > Iowa > Alabama

Guards/Centers

1. J’Ven Williams, Penn State
2. Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
3. Roderick Kearney, Florida
4. Alex Birchmeier, Penn State
5. Spencer Fano, Utah

Freeling was a do-it-all tackle for the Bulldogs, playing on the left and right side. Heard started at left tackle when healthy for the Playoff Vols after grabbing a chance at playing time that wasn’t available in Baton Rouge. Ward had a great season in Coral Gables thanks to Mauigoa protecting his right side. On a title contending team that saw its O-line suffer a number of injuries, Jagusah stepped in admirably on interior spots. He’ll likely start in South Bend this year. Proctor dealt with some injury issues, and of course had his brief return home to Iowa last offseason, but he’s lived up to high expectations as Alabama’s left tackle. A lot of starters who will be early round picks are from these tackle ranks.

Williams is a strong contender to be one of the breakout players for Penn State this year. On3’s Blue White Illustrated just sang his praises for his spring performance. Bisontis earned SEC All-Freshman honors in 2023 and when healthy in 2024 provided good play at guard for the Aggies. Kearney has waited in the wings in Gainesville and is a likely starter on the interior for Florida this year. Something they’ll need for DJ Lagway’s sophomore year. Birchmeier is contending to start for Penn State this year. Fano was an All-American at right tackle for Utah.

Considering this group is one year behind the 2022 class, it’s impressive that so many players have either locked down starting spots on teams expected to be at the top of their conference or have already earned quality accolades such as Fano. Injuries have hit this group in some respects, but most have carved out starting roles and are living up to rankings.

2024

Offensive tackles

1. Josiah Thompson, South Carolina
2. Guerby Lambert, Notre Dame
3. Jordan Seaton, Colorado
4. Weston Davis, LSU
5. Kevin Heywood, Wisconsin

Guards/Centers

1. Cooper Cousins, Penn State
2. Casey Poe, Alabama
3. Grant Brix, Nebraska
4. Emerson Mandell, Wisconsin
5. Anthonie Knapp, Notre Dame

For second year players, finding time can be due to their own rapid development or due to other factors like injuries, lack of depth, or otherwise. But there’s a lot of players from this group who are already names to know in college football.

Thompson started at left tackle protecting LaNorris Sellers. The experience will be valuable as his 2024 was tough, but that’s life as a freshman left tackle in the SEC. Even with all the injuries on the ND O-line, Lambert was mostly a reserve. He’ll likely sit behind Wagner, who was mentioned at the top of the article. Seaton earned a number of freshman All-American honors as Shedeur Sanders’ blindside protector. Davis will battle for time this year, especially now that Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr. are off to the NFL. He’s in line to start at right tackle. Heywood, unfortunately, might miss the 2025 season after tearing his ACL in spring ball.

Starter, top depth, freshman All-American, starter, and TBA.

Cousins saw a decent number of interior snaps last season. He should start at RG for the Nittany Lions. Poe saw little regular offensive action and will battle for a spot in the second string in Tuscaloosa. Brix is working his way up the depth chart at tackle for Nebraska and saw little action last year. Mandell is in line to be a top depth option at Wisconsin and could potentially move into the starting five. Injuries across the Irish O-line forced Knapp to start at left tackle last year. Feet to the fire helped him become a quality player and he’ll protect the Irish QB’s blindside.

Some positive early returns already for these interior players including a standout starter, but it’s understandable these players are taking a bit longer to get into real game action. Still, they are all players at the position who coaches have kept in their program.

That’s important. The total number of players who have transferred of the thirty mentioned? Four. One was due to a medical retirement (Tanona), one ended up back at his original school (Proctor), one may have still started at his original school (Pritchett), and was behind two NFL picks so found immediate playing time elsewhere (Heard). While there is a conundrum at times in paying talent that often sits on the bench, these players have earned time already and have been retained by their schools.

“Stars matter” often misses a lot of nuance, but when it comes to the highest ranked offensive linemen, it holds true. It’s why landing Felix Ojo (On3’s No. 5 OT) and John Turntine (who is a tackle but On3’s No. 4 IOL) is important. It’s why Banks helped Texas turn into a title contender.

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It’s why a combination of development and inherent talent is incredibly important along the offensive line, considering most of the teams mentioned are vying for either conference titles or spots in the 12-team College Football Playoff. Many argue the game is won and lost in the trenches. Having the best soldiers in the battle helps achieve victory.