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Post-spring position rankings
Interior offensive line is one of the positions experiencing the most shakeup in the SEC heading into 2015. Rimington Trophy winner Reese Dismukes graduates from Auburn, and Mississippi State’s Dillon Day and second-team All-SEC center David Andrews of Georgia move on as well. Meanwhile, stars Denver Kirkland of Arkansas and LSU’s Vadal Alexander both move to tackle.
With all that shakeup, who will the SEC’s best interior linemen be this fall? As we head into summer, here are the top-10 guards and centers in the conference.
10. LG Alex Kozan, Auburn — Tigers coaches have said Kozan has an extremely high football IQ, and he’ll put that to good use in Auburn’s running game now that he has some experience under his belt. A freshman All-American last year, Kozan should be recovered from a back injury by the time fall gets here.
9. LG/C Brandon Kublanow, Georgia —Kublanow’s versatility could be needed this fall as Georgia attempts to replace Andrews, the leader of last year’s excellent group. After playing left guard in 2014, the rising junior put in some work at center this spring as well. Kublanow, on the smaller side for an offensive lineman (6-foot-3, 282 pounds) may actually be better suited for center than guard.
8. RG Jashon Robertson, Tennessee — A converted defensive tackle, Robertson was the most solid lineman for Tennessee last year, and he made the SEC All-Freshman team and was named to several national All-Freshman teams. As the line gains experience and improves, Robertson will look even better.
7. C Mitch Smothers, Arkansas — One of the most experienced members of a dominant Arkansas line, Smothers will shift from primarily playing guard to manning the center position. Expect Smothers to thrive in his new job as Arkansas steamrolls opponents in the running game.
6. C Ryan Kelly, Alabama — Kelly serves as the heart of a rebuilding Alabama line (albeit rebuilding with four-star talent or better at every position). Having packed on a few pounds, Kelly will use his play-diagnosing ability to put himself on the Rimington Award watch list this fall.
5. C Mike Matthews, Texas A&M — The latest in a line of Matthews brothers along the Aggies offensive line, the center missed all of spring due to an injury (he’s expected to be healthy for fall). As an excellent pass protector, he’s a perfect fit for Kevin Sumlin’s pass-happy offense, and he should benefit from new OL coach Dave Christensen’s run-blocking schemes.
4. G/C Ethan Pocic, LSU — Pocic winds up this high on the list for his proficiency at multiple positions. He’s expected to start at guard this year for LSU, but could well end up at center as he did for stretches last season. With Jerald Hawkins and Alexander both upperclassmen, it wouldn’t be a surprise for the versatile Pocic to wind up at tackle next year.
3. C Evan Boehm, Missouri — Boehm takes up the mantle left behind by the SEC’s recently departed crop of centers as the best man in the middle in the conference. A powerful run blocker and intelligent signal caller, Boehm will help clear the way for a Russell Hansbrough-led rushing attack this fall. If he improves as a pass blocker, Missouri’s chances of three-peating in the East improve as well.
2. LG Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas — After dropping 30 pounds this offseason, Tretola should be even more of an all-around force on the powerful Arkansas line. He’s already one of the best lane-clearing linemen in the land, but with some added mobility he should be better suited to get out in space and handle the pass rush. Lining up next to Kirkland will create perhaps the best left side in the country.
1. RG Greg Pyke, Georgia — Pyke serves as the catalyst for Georgia’s potent running offense, which averaged more than 6.0 yards per carry last year. At 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, he has the size to clear big running lanes for Nick Chubb, and he’s nearly as good in pass protection for a line that kept its quarterback’s jersey clean last year, allowing just 17 sacks.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
