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Offensive linemen come in all shapes and sizes. Well, maybe not all sizes, since most of them are pretty big.
Most experienced group — Georgia: While the Bulldogs lose second-team All-SEC center David Andrews, he of 40 consecutive starts, they return everyone else from an experienced line. Kolton Houston was granted a sixth year of eligibility, John Theus will be one of the best left tackles in the conference as a senior, and both guards are rising juniors. The four returning players combine for 80 career starts, and they bring back enough cohesion to make the rest of the conference jealous, save for Ole Miss, which returns all five starters.
Best tackle — Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss: In 2013, Tunsil came in with the hype of being the top-rated tackle prospect in the county. He’s lived up to those expectations, and despite having to recover from a broken leg he’ll be considered one of the best tackles in all of college football in 2015. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound beast is the complete package at left tackle, and he’ll anchor an Ole Miss offensive line that should be much improved in 2015.
Best guard — Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas: The Razorbacks are moving an All-SEC caliber guard, Denver Kirkland, to tackle. Luckily, they have another monster on the interior in Tretola. The rising senior has reportedly dropped nearly 30 pounds since last season, down to about 320 pounds from his listed weight of 350 pounds last fall. That should give him a bit more mobility to block in space while still maintaining more than enough size to maul defenders on the inside.
Best center — Ryan Kelly, Alabama: An All-SEC honorable mention last year, Kelly returns to captain Alabama’s offensive line. The rising senior has started 21 games over the last two years, providing leadership and smarts in the middle of the Tide’s line. Alabama suffered when Kelly missed time in 2014, and they’ll need him healthy to lead a line that replaces the entire right side as well as its left guard.
Most versatile — Ethan Pocic, LSU: Not many guys can move around and start at two positions for a top-notch offensive line, especially when neither of them is their natural position. Pocic was recruited as an offensive tackle, but as a sophomore he started at center to open the season, moved to guard when senior Elliott Porter returned from suspension, then back to center when Porter went down with an injury late in the year.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
