History was made at the 2017 NFL Draft when only two offensive linemen were selected in the first round. That was the lowest number of linemen selected in the first round since 1965. While the total was drastically down from previous years, all indications are that the position is due for a much stronger output in 2018. Here is a look at the best offensive lineman in college football heading in to the 2017 season.
OT: Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Fighting Irish are coming off a disappointing season. Their hope is that drastically improved play along the offensive line will help lead to better results in 2017. They did OK in games against mediocre competition last year. However, whenever they had to step up, they got mauled.
Notre Dame has one of the best offensive lineman in the country in McGlinchey, who is set to anchor the left side of the line. At 6’8’’ and 312 pounds, McGlinchey is an absolute mountain of a man. McGlinchey also has solid athleticism and fundamentals, which has scouts drooling about his overall potential. There is a very good chance that McGlinchey will be the first offensive lineman selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.
OT: Orlando Brown, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma will need to replace some top-flight talent at both the wide receiver and running back positions. The offensive line should make the transition a little easier. The Sooners have one of the best offensive line groups in the country led by their left tackle Brown. Brown took a major step forward from his redshirt freshman season last year. He is fundamentally sound and has all of the tools to consistently anchor Oklahoma’s line. At 6’7’’ and 340 pounds, Brown will prove to be one of the best linemen in the country this season.
The Sooners have Baker Mayfield coming back along with a sturdy offensive line. Considering how feeble the defenses are in the Big 12, that should give the Sooners plenty of time to get the new wideouts and running backs acclimated. They do have that Week 2 game against Ohio State, though, but beyond that, they may not get tested until the Red River Rivalry.
OT: Mitch Hyatt, Clemson Tigers
Hyatt was a huge recruit for Clemson and has started ever since his freshman season. He has made steady progress over the past couple of years and he is now clearly in the highest class of college football linemen. Hyatt is expected to be one of the best offensive linemen in the country this season and a major leader in the locker room.
With Deshaun Watson moving on to the NFL, the defending national champion Tigers will lean heavily on Hyatt’s leadership both on and off the field this season. The offense is rebuilding but the offensive line should help make life much easier for them.
OT: Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State Bulldogs
The junior college transfer Rankin redshirted in his first season with the Bulldogs in 2015 and it took some time for him to develop in 2016. By the end of last year he was showing massive potential and the coaching staff at Mississippi State believes that 2017 will be the year he becomes a star at his position. Rankin has the size and skills to anchor the Bulldogs line, and he plays with a nasty edge that gives him an added element to his game. It wouldn’t surprise anybody at Mississippi State if Rankin is a first round selection in 2018.
C: Frank Ragnow, Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema held his center out of full-contact scrimmages in the spring to make sure that he didn’t get injured. After all, Ragnow is a three-year starter that clearly doesn’t need the experience so the Razorbacks don’t want to risk him getting banged up. Ragnow graded out as one of the top offensive linemen in the country last season according to Pro Football Focus. If he stays healthy, Ragnow will prove his value at Arkansas again this season and put himself in the conversation as a potential first round pick for the 2018 NFL Draft.
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