Greg McElroy explains where he ranked Utah in Top 10 offensive lines ranking

ESPN’s Greg McElroy put together his top 10 offensive lines heading into the 2025 season with some help from Cole Cubelic. The Utah Utes were comfortably on the list, coming in at No. 5 overall. McElroy believes the Utes will be one of the best units next year, providing an explanation.

“Kind of a safe bet, to be honest,” McElroy said. “This is the group, last year, that had some ups and downs. There were just some challenges last year. I’m going to treat that year from Kyle Whittingham and company as the anomaly. I think they bounce back in a big way. Devin Dampier at quarterback should help with that because of his mobility.

“But when you bring back all five of your starting offensive linemen… I have a feeling they’re going to be out to prove a point this season.”

Not too many power conference programs can say all five starters from a year ago return. Now, experience does not always turn into success. But as McElroy alluded to, struggles last season for Utah may have been more of an outlier than anything. Usually, some pretty good stuff is put on tape in Salt Lake City.

Having an offensive tackle people in NFL circles are excited about certainly helps as well. Spencer Fano finds his name popping up in plenty of way-too-early 2026 mock drafts. He remains at right tackle and may already be the best at his position in the country.

“He’s awesome to watch at right tackle,” Cubelic said. “He’s one of the best in college football. I didn’t think he was going to come back. The fact that he is coming back is massive for that group.”

At the very least, plenty of tests will come for Utah. Ten games are scheduled against power conference opponents this season, beginning with UCLA on Aug. 30. The one NFL scouts might circle comes a few weeks later, Sept. 20, when the talented Texas Tech defensive line makes the trip up.

Better play up front is going to be needed throughout the entire schedule. Whittingham went out and got a high-upside quarterback in Dampier, giving Utah some hope of contending in the Big 12. The Utes are certainly a team you expect to benefit from the expanded College Football Playoff.

But as usual, offensive line play is going to dictate things. Thankfully, McElroy and Cubelic both seem confident in what can be done.