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Spring practice is the time for college football programs to start working out their kinks and filling in the gaps from last year’s departed players. This spring, several offensive lines are in need of a rebuild. We’ll take a look at the teams that are losing the majority of their starters or will be starting new players at many positions.
Alabama
The Crimson Tide retain their two anchors, center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Cam Robinson, but the rest of last year’s line heads to graduation. According to reports out of practice, Nick Saban and Mario Cristobal have narrowed down the group and have some front-runners for the open spots: Dominick Jackson at right tackle, Bradley Bozeman at right guard and Ross Pierschbacher at left guard. Bozeman has experience playing last season as a backup, while Jackson was a touted JUCO transfer last year. Pierschbacher was a member of the 2014 class as well, but he redshirted last fall.
Arkansas
Bret Bielema is pleased with how his shuffle up front is going so far. After last week’s scrimmage, he praised the Razorbacks offensive line for gelling quickly and playing mistake-free football despite all of the changes up front. All five Arkansas starters from last year return, but most will be at new spots this fall: Denver Kirkland moves from right guard to left tackle, Dan Skipper moves from left to right tackle, Frank Ragnow goes from center to right guard and Mitch Smothers takes over as the starting center.
Florida
Offensive line depth is a real problem for the Gators. They lost a lot from last year’s team, including likely first round pick D.J. Humprhies and center Max Garcia, last year’s offensive MVP. On top of that, redshirt sophomore Rod Johnson is out indefinitely after a stinger that left him with numbness. With Trip Thurman dealing with injury as well, the Gators are down to zero healthy offensive linemen who have started a college game.
LSU
The Bayou Bengals return plenty of talent, but they’ll have a new starter at every offensive line position come fall. Gone are La’el Collins, Elliott Porter and Evan Washington. Vadal Alexander shifts from left guard to right tackle, while former former right tackle Jerald Hawkins takes Collins’ place on the left. Ethan Pocic will likely take over full-time at center after splitting time between there and guard last year. One of the two new guards will likely be K.J. Malone, while redshirt freshmen Will Clapp and Garrett Brumfield contend for the other spot.
Mississippi State
Replacing three starters, including anchor Ben Beckwith and center Dillon Day. Jamaal Clayborn, who played guard last year, is shifting over to center, and the reviews are positive so far. Devon Desper looks ready to take over Beckwith’s guard spot, while Rufus Warren is favored to take over the open tackle position, as both opened the spring at the top of MSU’s depth chart. Mississippi State has touted JUCO tackle Martinas Rankin already on campus, and there’s a chance he could earn a starting spot across from Justin Malone by fall.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
