Greg McElroy ranks Top 10 offensive lines in college football for 2025

There are no great quarterbacks without great offensive lines to protect them. This past week, ESPN’s Greg McElroy ranked the top 10 offensive lines heading into the 2025 campaign.

Army won the Joe Moore Award last season. The award is annually given to the best offensive line in college football. However, McElroy didn’t even list the Black Knights in his top 10 this year. Fans can expect to see a new wave of dominance in the trenches this fall.

While McElroy included his fair share of expected picks on his list, he also listed a few teams that had weak offensive lines last season and emphasized the front five this offseason. With so many offensive lines to cover, let’s dive into McElroy’s rankings.

10. Oregon Ducks

Oregon had a lot to replace this offseason on its offensive front, but McElroy believes the Ducks were successful. Oregon only has one returning starter from the offensive line last season, center Iapani Laloulu.

Alas, the Ducks picked up Isaiah World, the No. 11 offensive tackle in On3’s 2025 Transfer Portal Player Rankings, this offseason. Additionally, the team added former Texas State OT Alex Harkey and former USC interior offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon.

9. Clemson Tigers

Clemson’s offensive line was solid last season, only allowing 1.79 sacks per game. Now, with an entire offseason of development and four starters returning, the Tigers are poised to take a massive leap forward in 2025.

Moreover, last season was offensive line coach Matt Luke‘s first with the program. Now entering his second season, Luke will have a better understanding of how to best protect Clemson QB Cade Klubnik.

8. Auburn Tigers

Clemson isn’t the only team returning a boatload of starters from last season. Four Auburn offensive linemen are also running it back next season. To pile on, unlike Clemson, Auburn also hit the portal to strengthen its offensive front.

Auburn picked up two offensive linemen in the portal: IOL Mason Murphy and OT Xavier Chaplin. The latter was the No. 22 offensive tackle in On3’s 2025 Transfer Portal Player Rankings and was a two-year starter at Virginia Tech.

7. Penn State Nittany Lions

It’s a bit surprising that Penn State isn’t higher in McElroy’s rankings. The Nittany Lions ranked in the Top 25 in both rushing yards and sacks allowed last season, en route to the program’s first College Football Playoff appearance.

After being bounced one game shy of a national championship appearance, all five of Penn State’s starting offensive linemen decided to run it back this fall. Despite McElroy’s modest rankings, the Nittany Lions will be one of the most experienced trench units in the country this fall.

6. Miami Hurricanes

There will be no shortage of pressure on Miami’s offensive line this year. The unit will be under a magnifying glass as fans intently watch how transfer QB Carson Beck adapts to his new environment.

Moreover, the Hurricanes’ only three returning offensive starters from last season are linemen. For good measure, Miami also reeled in a transfer commitment from TCU‘s former starting center James Brockermeyer.

5. Utah Utes

It’s a new era in Utah. In May, longtime Utah starting quarterback Cam Rising medically retired from football. With the move, Utah’s Devon Dampier is expected to be the team’s full-time starter and the Utes’ offensive line’s new player to protect.

Dampier should be in good hands. Utah is returning its entire starting offensive line, including offensive tackle Spencer Fano, who was a 2024 First-Team All-Big 12 selection.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama came up just short of a CFP appearance in head coach Kalen DeBoer‘s first season at the helm of the program. Now, with three starting offensive linemen returning, the Crimson Tide are poised to have a standout season.

Alabama isn’t solely relying on its returning talent, either. The Crimson Tide added three linemen via the NCAA Transfer Portal this offseason. Most notably, Alabama folded in Texas A&M transfer IOL Kam Dewberry.

3. Florida Gators

Florida is entering Year 2 of quarterback DJ Lagway running the offense. However, the breakout star from 2024 won’t be able to build on his success without a stellar O-line to protect him. Thankfully for Gators fans, Lagway’s in luck.

Florida is returning four starting offensive linemen from last season. It’s an exciting prospect for the Gators, who ranked in the top 40 in sacks allowed last season. If Florida can build on that number, Lagway shouldn’t have any problem posting even better numbers than last season.

2. Texas A&M Aggies

With no starting offensive linemen moving on from Texas A&M this offseason, the Aggies’ front five will have plenty of familiar faces on it this fall. More importantly, those familiar faces know how to produce fantastic results.

In Mike Elko‘s first season in the driver’s seat last fall, Texas A&M averaged 195.5 rushing yards per game, the 26th-most in the country. If all goes well, Texas A&M fans can expect to see an improved version of the 2024 offensive line in College State this fall.

1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame fell short in the national championship last season, but it won the offseason. Starters Anthonie Knapp (LT), Billy Schrauth (LG), Aamil Wagner (RT) are each returning for the 2025 campaign.

Additionally, players like Ashton Craig, who suffered an injury early in the season last year, should be fully healthy. With several other backups from last season stepping into significant roles this fall, Notre Dame has all the pieces necessary to be the best offensive line in college football this year.