Ranking The Top Offensive Lines In The Big 12 For 2019
RedCup Mitch
Posted On August 10
Games are won and lost in the trenches. The Big 12 features some of the best offenses in the country and has some O-lines that routinely dominate opposing defenders. Here’s how they stack up heading into the 2019 season.
10: Baylor
Returning Starters: 3
Top Returner: C Sam Tecklenburg
Baylor’s offensive line was arguably the worst in the conference last season. Despite decent QB play and talented WRs, their offense struggled due to heavy pressure (3.5 Sacks/Game). Tecklenburg headlines a corps. that has some raw but talented guys and some older guys with experience, but few combinations of the two.
9: Kansas Jayhawks
Returning Starters: 3
Top Returner: OT Hakeem Adeniji
It’s tough to have a respectable offense without a respectable offensive-line, and Kansas has struggled in that department of late. OT Hakeem Adeniji is among the best OTs in the Big 12, but after him they have no impact players returning. They will need to improve creating holes in the interior to maximize RB Pooka Williams who will likely be and All Big 12 contributor.
8: Kansas State Wildcats
Returning Starters: 3
Top Returner: C Adam Holtorf
3-Time 1st Team OT Dalton Rinser in gone to the NFL making KSU an immediate candidate for O-Line dropoff. Although 3 Seniors project to start, their headliner is Sophomore C Adam Holtorf who projects as one of the best interior lineman in the country. KSU always seems to have a decent offensive line, but this year certainly has some question marks.
7: Iowa State Cyclones
Returning Starters: 5
Top Returner: Josh Knipfel OG
Iowa State returns every starter on an O-Line that struggled a bit last season. With 4 Seniors likely starting, this will be a very experienced group that could easily make a case for Top 5 in the Big 12 if they can improve from last season. Although they don’t have any elite NFL prospects, Knipfel and Good-Jones will likely be among the top offensive lineman in the conference.
6: TCU Horned Frogs
Returning Starters: 4
Top Returner: OT Lucas Niang
TCU’s QB play forced them to struggled offensively as much as anyone in the conf. last season and will likely have a similar struggle in 2019. Lucas Niang is a potential 1st round selection in next year’s draft and will provide a nice cushion in a relatively young core.
5 : West Virginia Mountaineers
Returning Starters: 2
Top Returner: OT Colton McKivitz
The Mountaineers boast two future NFL O-lineman in LT Colton McKivitz and LG Josh Sills. Aside from the left side, this is a very young and inexperienced group. If other players can step up, this group has a ton of potential due to the already established talent.
4 : Oklahoma Sooners
Returning Starters: 1
Top Returner: C Creed Humphrey
Oklahoma only has one returning starter, but when that one returning starter is an All American candidate, that may not be as bad as it sounds. Oklahoma seems to have an elite offensive line every season and that likely won’t change in 2019. Putting them at 4 just because of all of the question marks, but expect them to be a Top 3 unit in the conference by the mid way point despite some likely mistakes early in the season. With 3 Sophomores likely starting, this could be a scary O-line in 2020/2021.
3 : Texas Tech Red Raiders
Returning Starters: 5
Top Returner: OG Jack Anderson
With 115 career starts, TTU has one of the most experienced O-Lines in the country. Although they have experience, OG Jack Anderson is the only real consistent standout on what has been a very middle of the line group. The lack of perceived “upside” keeps TTU at No. 3.
2 : Oklahoma State Cowboys
Returning Starters: 4
Top Returner: OT Tevin Jenkins
Keyes/Gundy have been very solid members of the line for years and OT Tevin Jenkins projects as an All Big-12 performer. This is a strong group on paper that could win some games in the trenches.
1: Texas Longhorns
Returning Starters: 3*
Top Returner: C Zach Shackelford
Senior Zach Shackelford leads a very talented O-Line that includes Freshman All-American Samuel Cosmi as well as All-ACC OG Parker Braun from Georgia Tech. Easily one of the most underrated transfer pickups in the nation. Texas has some question marks in the last two slots, but have some 4 and 5 stars looking to fill them. The combination of experience and talent make them easily the best Big 12 O-Line on paper entering 2019.
