ESPN names OLU, updates Top 5 for offensive linemen producing schools

ESPN recently named their picks for OLU – Offensive Lineman University – nationally, and per conference, and it’s no surprise the Alabama Crimson Tide took home the title of the most effective programs when it comes to churning out high-profile players with major NFL potential.

Wisconsin comes in at No. 2 on the list, followed by Ohio State, Oklahoma and Michigan – but none can hold a candle to the lineman factory that Nick Saban built in Tuscaloosa over the last decade and a half.

“We’re back to hyping Alabama, which tops our offensive line rankings after putting yet another big man into the first round, as Evan Neal went seventh overall in the 2022 draft. In fact, the Tide have seen an O-lineman selected among the first 34 picks in the draft in six of the past seven years,” ESPN’s David M. Hale wrote. “Overall, 20 offensive linemen have heard their names called in the NFL draft since Saban took over in 2007. It’s even more impressive that Alabama has been so good on the offensive line, given that it’s an area typically dominated by the Big Ten, which has four of the top eight schools in our rankings.”

ESPN’s “biggest mover,” in terms of offensive line prowess comes in the form of the Kentucky Wildcats. The late John Schlarman – who created the Big Blue Wall (UK’s name for its offensive line) – created a new standard for lineman in Lexington, so much so that former OL coach Eric Wolford was pursued and ultimately hired Alabama over the past offseason.

Despite this, Kentucky still signed one of the best offensive lineman in the 2022 class in 6-foot-7, 380-pound Kiyaunta Goodwin and is expected to continue to pursue top offensive linemen on the recruiting trail on an annual basis.

“Four schools – Kentucky, Northwestern, Tulsa and NC State – moved up at least 10 spots in our rankings, but none ended up better than 31st (NC State). The biggest mover, however, was Kentucky, which had two O-linemen – Luke Fortner and Darian Kinnard – selected in the 2022 NFL draft. The Wildcats aren’t exactly knocking on the door of OLU – they’re still 72nd nationally – but the big jump from 2021 is another reminder of the impressive work Mark Stoops is doing in Lexington.”

The list’s biggest snub – the Texas Longhorns – might have signed 40 blue-chip recruits up front since the 2006 cycle, yet Texas hasn’t produced a first-round draft pick off its offensive line since 2002 – not to mention only two offensive linemen drafted at any point since 2009.