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The casual fan may not learn their name under they’re upperclassmen, and these linemen are among the most likely to be redshirted while they grow into their bodies. But any championship team boasts interior linemen that can, at times, take over a game.
The SEC had some stiff competition this recruiting season from several Big Ten teams, but has snagged its fair share of interior offensive linemen.
Below is a list of the top interior offensive linemen across all three major recruiting services: 247Sports, Rivals and Scouts. Only a handful were highly ranked among all three — to develop a consensus — but the recruits below were ranked by at least two of the three.
TOP INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
- John Raridon, OG, Nebraska — The Cornhuskers’ highest-rated commit, Raridon excelled in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl despite being a bit undersized for his position. Only one starter is believed to have a role already next season, so the soft-spoken Raridon could see early playing time.
- Drake Jackson, C, Kentucky — The top-ranked center by Scout, and No. 2 by 247Sports, Jackson is the jewel of the Wildcats class as they kept him in his home state. He played in the Army Bowl and was an early enrollee in Lexington, Ky.
- Baveon Johnson, C, Florida State — The 6-foot-3, 332-pounder is the No. 1-ranked center by Rivals and will stay in his home state to play for the Seminoles. He played the entire Under Armour game at center.
- Terrance Davis, OG, Maryland — A late commit to the Terrapins, Davis is staying close to home after he appeared in the Under Armour All-America Game. Michigan and Florida were the runnerups after nearly 40 offers came in. Davis anchored a punishing offensive line for DeMatha High School at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds.
- Michael Onwenu, OG, Michigan — The Detroit native and four-star recruit also played in the Army Bowl and the soft-spoken 6-foot-3, 360-pounder ranked the No. 3 guard by 247Sports is among the lower profile of the Michigan recruits.
- Donavaughn Campbell, OG, LSU — Committed to the Tigers for nearly a year to the day, Campbell, 6-foot-4, 347 pounds, also plans to visit Alabama and Georgia Tech before National Signing Day. He’s considered among the top 10 overall prospects in Louisiana.
- Deonte Brown, OG, Alabama — The 6-foot-4, 350-pounder who played in the Under Armour game was fifth in Mr. Football voting in Alabama. He’s been locked into the Crimson Tide since April.
- Tyler Gerald, OG, Ohio State — The Portsmouth, Ohio, native already enrolled at Ohio State after he finished his high school career at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder is one of the seven early enrollees in Columbus, Ohio who has the chance to play early.
- Chris Owens, OG, Alabama — A high school tackle, Owens is another early enrollee who hopes the extra time helps him adjust to Alabama’s blocking schemes at the new position. He played in the Under Armour game and 247Sports lists him as the No. 7 guard in the country.
- Ben Cleveland, OG, Georgia — The first recruit Kirby Smart visited once he became the Georgia coach, Cleveland is a one-time baseball star and high school offensive tackle that committed to the Bulldogs the same day as QB Jacob Eason in the summer of 2014. Cleveland, 6-foot-7, 320 pounds, played in the Army Bowl game and is an early enrollee.
- Landon Dickerson, OG, uncommitted — Considered a top five guard by both Rivals and Scout, Dickerson is considering several SEC schools and is in the midst of several visits. He’s the top uncommitted guard in this class. Not expected to play early as he builds on a 6-foot-5, 293-pound frame, Dickerson is the second-ranked player in North Carolina according to Rivals.
- Ben Bredeson, OG, Michigan — The top-ranked player from Wisconsin is expected to compete for the left guard position for the Wolverines. Eventually, the versatile 6-foot-5, 300-pound Bredeson could move to tackle or even center later in his career.
- Connor McGovern, C, Penn State — He played in the Army Bowl game after a high school career where he had a massive growth spurt from 5-foot-9, 185 pounds to 6-5, 310. He’s ranked the No. 3 center in the country by 247Sports and No. 7 player overall in Pennsylvania. Given Penn State’s struggles on the offensive line, McGovern could have a better-than-average shot to play early.
- Patrick Hudson, OG, Baylor — A one-time Texas A&M commit, Hudson is listed as a guard and tackle by the recruiting services. So while visits for the 6-foot-5, 325-pounder are still underway, his college position could also be up in the air. Scout ranks him the No. 2 offensive guard, while 247Sports considers him the No. 2 tackle and No. 19 overall prospect.
- Richard Merritt, OG, Maryland — He became the fourth local player to give his pledge to the Terrapins, he was new coach D.J. Durkin’s first commitment at Maryland.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
