Top 10 offensive linemen in college football entering Week 4 ft. Will Campbell
Offensive linemen mostly toil as overlooked workers. Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers get the name recognition and camera time, but offensive linemen win games in the trenches. Here are 10 offensive linemen standouts from the 2024 season who are doing big things.
Top 10 college football offensive linemen
10. Luke Kandra, Cincinnati
Luke Kandra, a transfer from Louisville before the 2023 season, is a road-grader of a run blocker. He doesn't play for a national power. Kandra was honored for his standout work by being awarded an all-American honor a year ago on a 3-9 team.
9. Tyler Booker, Alabama
Tyler Booker, a second-year starter as a junior, is a load. No wonder Alabama is difficult to wear down and slow in short-yardage situations. Even the biggest collegiate defensive tackles struggle to hang in against Booker, who was picked as a second-team All-Southeastern Conference a year ago.
8. Cooper Mays, Tennessee
Cooper Mays' father and brother also played at Tennessee. That probably helped the senior weather some ugly days in the program. He's started in 32 games and is a big part of the program's evolution from 3-7 in his freshman year to College Football Playoff contenders now.
7. Kelvin Banks, Texas
Kelvin Banks is a good enough player who started as a true freshman at Texas in 2022. He can handle even imposing SEC edge rushers and should be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
6. Xavier Truss, Georgia
Xavier Truss, part of one of the nation's clear top offensive line units, is a three-year starter. He's versatile, starting at three different line positions a year ago. Georgia gave up just 22 total sacks in 29 games in his two previous seasons as a starter.
5. Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
Many of the linemen on this list were 5-star high school recruits who have always been well-known. However, Ajani Cornelius took a different path. He is an unknown recruit at FCS Rhode Island who shined there before he transferred to Oregon before the 2023 season. Cornelius became an immediate mainstay with the Ducks. The senior is big, strong and athletic.
4. Parker Brailsford, Alabama
Alabama has a proud offensive line tradition. But Parker Brailsford was a freshman All-American at Washington who followed coach Kalen DeBoer to join the Tide. He's one of the more athletic and agile centers in Alabama history and should continue to excel running his coach's system.
3. Dylan Fairchild, Georgia
Dylan Fairchild, a junior, is in his second year starting for the Bulldogs. His agility can come as a surprise. Georgia keeps an elite rushing attack with mobile pulling blockers like Fairchild, who could be an All-American this season.
2. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
Donovan Jackson, a three-year starter, is one of the best interior linemen in recent memory. His quick feet and good football instincts make him a pivotal weapon for an Ohio State offense that has been explosive in his career. The dependable veteran on one of the nation's top units could help OSU win its elusive national title in 2024.
1. Will Campbell, LSU
Will Campbell, a third-year starter, is one of those rare players who started as a true freshman at LSU. He's deceptively quick and athletic at his size and is often projected to be among the top five picks in the 2025 NFL draft. The top lineman chosen makes his team better on every play and is likely to become a NFL star soon.
Which offensive linemen have impressed you so far? Share your insights below in our comments section!