The offensive line position is one that often gets overlooked and undervalued. The big men up front don’t put up the gaudy stats that their offensive colleagues do. Further, they don’t receive the postseason accolades. They don’t attract all the media attention and hype. It’s hard for them to even stand out on a television broadcast. However, an elite offensive line unit can drastically shift the momentum of a game. Proper cohesion and fundamental game planning can open up holes in the running game, or prevent defenders from sacking the quarterback. This can even determine the difference between a win and a loss.
The SEC, in particular, has seen a steady uptick in NFL draft picks at the position over the past decade. The increased emphasis on the trenches has seen SEC teams compete with traditional powers from the Big Ten, such as Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin. This year’s talent pool is no different, with potential first-round draft picks all over the board.
Here are LWOS’s rankings for the SEC’s top returning offensive linemen for 2023.
Honorable Mention:
C Sedrick Van Pran – Georgia
C Seth McLaughlin – Alabama
5. OG Tate Ratledge – Georgia
Gone is Stetson Bennett and all the success and accolades he brought to the Bulldogs program. What still remains is a solid offensive line unit, headlined by Ratledge, who was masterful in aiding that success. Whoever steps into the starting role next will know they have Ratledge as a high-level protector. With an 85.6 grade on true pass sets, he ranked second among all guards nationally in 2022 (PFF). His astounding 1.4% on pass-block snaps was also the third-lowest for a Power Five guard. Those statistics make him the seventh-best returning guard in the country. A Preseason Outland Trophy Watch list and Second-Team All-SEC nominee by Athlon Sports, Ratledge will remain a staple on a Georgia offense that will be in a somewhat unfamiliar position of a slight rebuild.
4. OT Javon Foster – Missouri
Not a whole lot seemed to work offensively for the 2022 Tigers program. Foster was perhaps the biggest bright spot, protecting the blind side with consistency. He logged an 86.7 pass-blocking grade in 2022, good enough for second in the nation. He also posted a 3.5% pressure rate on 457 pass-block snaps. With an overall grade of 80.3, Foster actually displayed some balance, as well. That grade places him at second-highest among returning linemen in the conference, according to PFF. He’s also a Preseason First-Team All-SEC selection. With Mizzou looking to rebound in 2023, look for Foster to stand out as the vocal leader of the Tigers’ offensive line.
3. OT JC Latham – Alabama
Surprise, surprise. Another Alabama name makes the list in what should be one of Nick Saban’s most talented units upfront in his tenure. Latham has certainly lived up to his high five-star billing thus far. He only earned a 70.9 run-blocking grade, but it’s his chops in the passing game that really stood out last season. According to PFF, he ranked fourth among all tackles in the country in 2022 with an 84.5 pass-blocking grade on true pass sets. Latham didn’t allow a sack and only allowed one quarterback hit on 486 pass-blocking snaps. Athlon Sports was so impressed with his production, they named him as both Preseason First-Team All-SEC and First-Team All-America. With uncertainty surrounding the Crimson Tide’s quarterback room, they will look to run the ball more often, similar to the smash-mouth teams of the early 2010s. If Latham improves his numbers in the run game with these ample opportunities, he could absolutely be the first tackle off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft.
2. OT Will Campbell – LSU
With the SEC possessing some of the best defensive linemen and edge rushers in the entire country, it’s hard enough for any offensive tackle to succeed. It’s even harder to do it as a true freshman. Campbell did and seemed to fly somewhat under the radar doing so. It may be controversial to place him this high, but he’s really only begun to tap into his potential. Yet another elite pass-protector, Campbell’s 85.6 pass-blocking grade on true pass sets ranked third in the country and second among Power Five tackles. He posted an impressive 2.7% pressure percentage on 515 pass-blocking snaps. PFF has tabbed him as the sixth-best returning tackle for 2023.
Campbell has already displayed maturity beyond his years, as well. Despite his youth as a true sophomore, he has stepped up as a leader during a somewhat turbulent summer for the 2023 Tigers squad. LSU is projected to field a top-10 offensive line unit in 2023, and Campbell is a big reason why. He’s been named to the Outland Trophy Watch list and tabbed First-Team All-SEC and Fourth-Team All-America by Athlon Sports. He’s quickly emerging as an early favorite to be the first name off the board at the position in the 2025 NFL Draft.
1. OG Beaux Limmer – Arkansas
The most balanced lineman on this list, Limmer had a breakout 2022 campaign at right guard. According to PFF, he was one of only three Power Five guards to log an 80+ grade as both a pass and run-blocker. He’s also the second most valuable interior offensive lineman in the country over the past two seasons, according to PFF’s wins above average metric. That’s good enough to slot him as the nation’s number two returning offensive lineman. He’s also the SEC’s top returning offensive lineman for 2023, with an overall grade of 82.2. With another strong season, he could hear his name called in the first round of next year’s NFL Draft.
Limmer has been named to both the Rimington and Outland Award Watch lists. Athlon Sports has also tagged him as Preseason First-Team All-SEC and Third-Team All-America. With the elite duo of quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders returning, the Razorbacks are expected to have a potent offense. Limmer will be there to attempt to maintain that expectation.
Photo courtesy: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
