I take solace in the fact that Elon and their tall linemen haven't beaten us in 15 years.
Hoping that the prospects can play, make the grades, be good citizens, and sign with us.
I just take issue with Thrilla saying we can't recruit guys that size. If Elon can get three surely we can get one. Our Offensive coach says he had tried but to no avail.. He said Brandon was special.
Brandon was because he was head and shoulders above the average FCS O-lineman in height and weight .
Size Matters: College Football’s Biggest Offensive Linemen
By Rene Nadeau
Category: College Football, Louisiana Tech, LSU, Tulane, ULM
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Texas A&M at LSU 2017
Even though important action takes place all over the field, the focal point of football remains in the trenches on the line of scrimmage (Photo: Terrill Weil).
This is the time of the year that I take my annual trek through college football to sizing up the offensive lines. Literally.
Deciphering which ones are the biggest is easy, but can we tell if size translates into wins? Let’s see.
The old adage that “bigger is better” sometimes applies, but after reading this article, you may alter your thinking a bit. As the average size of college football linemen continues to expland. we’ll determine if size correlates with success.
The average size of a starting FBS offensive lineman in the FBS for 2020 is 6’4.3″ tall while weighing in at 305.4 pounds.
The biggest offensive lines:
1. UMass (6’4.4″ 328.8 lbs.)
2. Missouri (6’5.2″ 328)
3. Miami (6’5″ 325.2)
4. East Carolina (6’4″ 324.4)
5. (tie) Florida State (6’5″ 323), Mississippi State (6’4.4″ 323)
7. (tie) Wisconsin (6’5.4″ 322), West Virginia (6’4.4″ 323)
9. Penn State (6’4.6″ 321.6)
10. (tie) Michigan (6’5.1″ 320.6), Florida (6’4.2″ 320.6)
12. ULM (6’4″ 320.4)
13. LSU (6’4.4″ 320.2)
14. Stanford (6’4.6″ 318.6)
15. Arkansas (6’4.6″ 316.6)
16. Georgia (6’4.8″ 315.4)
17. Pittsburgh (6’4″ 315)
18. Arizona State (6’5.2″ 314.4)
The smallest offensive lines:
1. Appalachian State (6’3.6″ 278 lbs.)
2. Air Force (6’3″ 279)
3. Texas State (6’4.2″ 283)
4. Ga. Tech (6’3.2″ 286.6)
5. Georgia Southern (6’2.6″ 288)
6. Georgia State (6’2.6″ 288.6)
7. Liberty (6’3″ 289)
8. (tie) New Mexico (6’3.6″ 290), Central Michigan (6’3.6″ 290)
10. San Jose State (6’4″ 290.8)
12. (tie) Army (6’3.2″ 292), UTEP (6’4″ 292)
Teams who made the biggest jump from 2017 to ’18:
ULM average 16 pounds more per man this season. Tulsa and Miami gained 15 lbs. more per starter from last year to this. LSU tacked on 14 pounds per projected starter. Georgia’s starters are 13 lbs. heavier this season.
The biggest drops over one season:
UTEP melted off 28 pounds per starter in a year. SMU is minus 25 lbs. per man. Washington State’s starters are 20 lbs. lighter. Minnesota, South Florida are both 15 lbs. less on average from ’17. UConn and North Texas linemen carry 13 fewer pounds.
Conferences according to SIZE per starter:
1. SEC (6’4.6″ 313.8 lbs.)
2. Big Ten (6’4.7″ 309.9)
3. ACC (6’4.7″ 309.4)
4. Big 12. (6’4.6″ 309.2)
5. PAC 12. (6’4.6″ 308.8)
6. Independent (6’4.2″ 303.6)
7. (tie) MAC (6’4.3″ 302), CUSA (6’3.7″ 302)
9. AAC (6’4.3″ 301.3)
10. Mountain West (6’4.9″ 300.3)
11. Sun Belt (6’3.5″ 296.4)
Louisiana FBS teams according to size:
1. ULM (6’4″ 320.4 lbs.)
2. LSU (6’4.4″ 320.2)
3. ULL (6’4.2″ 308.2)
4. La. Tech (6’4.4″ 307.4)
5. Tulane (6’4.4″ 303)
Any correlation between size and success? Based on how national football analyst Phil Steele feels how the season will shake out, we’ll rank his projections with o-line size averages (Note that the average starter is 6’4.3″ and 305.4 pounds yet only thre teams are below average – Michigan State, USC and South Carolina):
1. Alabama (6’4.2″ 309 lbs.)
2. Clemson (6’4″ 308)
3. Ohio State (6’6.4″ 310.6)
4. Georgia (6’4.8″ 315.4)
5. Wisconsin (6’5.4″ 322)
6. Michigan (6’5″ 320.6)
7. Washington (6’5.4″ 311.8)
8. Notre Dame (6’5.4″ 307.2)
9. Oklahoma (6’4.2″ 314.4)
10. Stanford (6’4.6″ 318.6)
11. Michigan State (6’5″ 303.8)
12. Penn State (6’4.6″ 321.6)
13. Auburn (6’4.8″ 314)
14. USC (6’4.6″ 300)
15. Texas (6’4.6″ 306)
16. Miss. State (6’4.4″ 323)
17. Miami (6’5″ 325.2)
18. Florida State (6’5″ 323)
19. Boston College (6’5.2″ 313)
20. Texas A&M (6’5.2″ 311)
21. TCU (6’5″ 308)
22. Utah (6’4.8″ 311)
23. Florida (6’4.2″ 320.6)
24. South Carolina (6’4.4″ 303.6)
25. LSU (6’4.4″ 320.2)
There’s no definitive wins-to-lineman size ratio but it seems liekly to help if you can play with the big boys by having plenty of them up front.
Finally, looks take a peek at my All-HUMONGOUS Team. There blockers are the BIGGEST of the BIGS:
Caleb Jones, Indiana freshman OT (6’8″ 360)
Daniel Faatele, Minnesota freshman OT (6’9″ 400)
Mekhi Brown, Louisville sophomore LT (6’7″ 360)
Nick Lewis, Kentucky freshman OT (6’9″ 350)
Julio Castillo, freshman UCF OG (6’6″ 367)
Lowell Furlow, UAB sophomore OT (6’8″ 350)
Samuel Jackson UCF sophomore RG (6’6″ 356)
Christian Haangana, Washington State sophomore OT (6’4″ 362)
Now it helps to have interior defensive linemen who can match up with these monster maulers. Florida State’s freshman nose tackle Robert Cooper can plug up the middle at 6’2″ 365 pounds. Oregon State has an even bigger nost tackle in junior Elu Aydon (6’3″ 380).
LAGNIAPPE:
Evan Neal is a 4 star offensive tackle in the 2019 class at IMG Academy. The 6’8″ 378 pounder lists Miami, Florida State and Alabama as his top three while LSU and many other top programs have offered.
Miami’s offensive line is built to run to its right side. Sophomore right tackle Navaughn Donaldson (6’5″ 350) and junior right guard Hayden Mahoney (6’6″ 350) can block out the sun.
ULM won’t get pushed around in the Sun Belt. Junior left guard Devin Jackson, a New Orleans product out of Edna Karr, is 6’3″ 350 pounds. Warhawks junior tackle Joquarious Savage (6’6″ 356) is another huge blocker for the offense in Monroe.
Penn State has a set of bookend starting tackles who fit the monster mold – senior RT Chasz Wright (6’7″ 348) and junior LT Sterling Jenkins (6’8″ 343).
I’ll give you a name to track this fall and beyond on the prep scene. Kiyaunta Goodwin (6’7″ 370) out of Louisville enters ninth grade this fall. Alabama has recently offered, as has Louisville, Western Kentucky and Kentucky.
Offensive line football recruiting guidelines
NCAA Division 1—FBS
Average college football player size for OL: 6’4” / 297 lbs
Should be a three-year varsity starter
Multiple years competing at the All-State level
The recruit must be the most physically dominant player on the field; he should move the line of scrimmage by 5 yards consistently. He should play with excellent pad level by demonstrating natural knee bend, as well as have a devastating hand punch against pass rush and be able to lock on defenders and control them. He must be athletic enough to stay ahead of the ball carrier in open field and demonstrate the body control to block in space.
NCAA Division 1—FCS
Average college football player size for OL: 6’3” / 285 lbs
Should be a three-year varsity starter
Multiple years competing at the All-Conference level
The recruit must be one of the most physical players on the field; he should move the line of scrimmage by 3 yards consistently. He should play with excellent pad level by demonstrating natural knee bend, as well as have a devastating hand punch against pass rush and be able to lock on defenders and control them. He must be athletic enough to stay ahead of the ball carrier in open field and demonstrate the body control to block in space.
NCAA Division 2
Average college football player size for OL: 6’2” / 282 lbs
Should be at least a two-year varsity starter
Multiple years competing at the All-Conference level
The recruit must be one of the most physical players on the field; he should move the line of scrimmage by 2 yards consistently. He must play with above-average pad level by demonstrating natural knee bend, as well as have a hand punch that slows the pass rush and be able to lock on defenders and control them. He must be athletic enough to pull and get up field.
NCAA Division 3 and NAIA
Average college football player size for D3 OL: 6’1” / 270 lbs
Average college football player size for NAIA OL: 6’2” / 273 lbs
At least one-year varsity starter, preferred two-year varsity starter
He must be an active player who enjoys contact and be able to move the line of scrimmage more often than stalemating or losing ground. He must play with above-average pad level by demonstrating natural knee bend, and should have active hands against the pass rush, as well as be able to consistently keep defenders out of the pocket. He must be athletic enough to pull and get up field.
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Defensive line football recruiting guidelines
NCAA Division 1—FBS
Average college football player size for DL: 6’3” / 270 lbs
Should be a three-year varsity starter
Multiple years competing at the All-State level
The recruit must be instinctive and productive against both the run and the pass at an All-State level for three or more years. He needs to show the strength and leverage to dominate along the line-of-scrimmage as a run defender. The recruit should be able to win with speed, quickness and power as an edge rusher. This player should clearly stand out as exceptional in his play.
NCAA Division 1—FCS recruiting guidelines
Average college football player size for DL: 6’2” / 259 lbs
Should be a three-year varsity starter
Multiple years competing at the All-Conference level
The recruit must be instinctive and productive against both the run and the pass at an All-Conference level for two or more years. He needs to show the strength and leverage to control the line-of-scrimmage as a run defender. He should be able to win with either speed and quickness or power as an edge rusher. This player should clearly stand out as very good in his play.
NCAA Division 2 recruiting guidelines
Average college football player size for DL: 6’2” / 252 lbs
Should be at least a two-year varsity starter
Multiple years competing at the All-Conference level
The recruit must be instinctive and productive against both the run and the pass at an All-Conference level for one to two years. He needs to show the strength and leverage to control the line-of-scrimmage as a run defender. He should be able to win with either speed and quickness or power as an edge rusher. Must be a consistent player who shows physical and athletic upside to develop.
NCAA Division 3 and NAIA recruiting guidelines
Average college football player size for D3 DL: 6’0” / 246 lbs
Average college football player size for NAIA DL: 6’1” / 251 lbs
At least one-year varsity starter, preferred two-year varsity starter
Competes at the All-Conference level for at least one year
The recruit must be instinctive and productive against both the run and the pass at an All-Conference level for at least one year. He needs to show strength and leverage as a run defender, and he must go with speed and quickness as an edge rusher. He should have a consistent motor with physical and athletic upside to develop in time.