Ranking the Big Ten: Guard
As the 2023 college football season quickly approaches, it is time to look at the top players at each position in the Big Ten.
We continue our Ranking the Big Ten series today with the offensive guards, a group where Ohio State and Michigan dominate the conference’s best.
Previous Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | OT
1. Zak Zinter, Michigan
One of the main reasons why Michigan was the class of the Big Ten last season was its offensive line. Consensus first-team all-conference right guard Zak Zinter was the face of arguably the best o-line in the country.
The 6-foot-6, 315-pounder turned down an early jump to the NFL this offseason to return for his senior year. As a result, the Wolverines should once again be dominant up front in 2023.
Zinter boasts 31 career starts at UM, with 30 coming at his right guard spot. He only allowed nine quarterback pressures on 389 pass-blocking plays, per PFF, and was his team’s highest-graded blocker.
He helped Michigan become the first ever back-to-back winner of the Joe Moore Award, given to the country’s top o-line.
Zinter is widely regarded as not just the best guard in the Big Ten this season, but also the country.
2. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
Donovan Jackson could start at either guard or tackle positions for Ohio State. But he’s made his mark as one of Big Ten’s elite left guards.
Jackson took over as a full-time starter last season as a true sophomore. He earned first-team all-conference honors (media) for the Buckeyes.
The 6-4, 320, native of Bellaire, Texas, posted a 76.1 overall grade by PFF. That ranked in the top 10 among Power Five guards last year.
Jackson played a team-high 827 snaps, helping OSU finish ninth nationally with 490.7 ypg and second with 44.2 ppg.
3. Trevor Keegan, Michigan
Michigan’s offensive line was already loaded, and Trevor Keegan’s return gives the Wolverines arguably the nation’s best guard combo.
A starter for 23 games at left guard, Keegan was a first-team All-Big Ten pick (coaches) last season. He’s a two-time conference champion and has started in two College Football Playoff games.
The 6-6, 305-pounder was also just as much of a factor as Zinter in the Wolverines’ back-to-back Joe Moore Awards. Now the duo will be looking to make it three in a row in 2023.
4. Matthew Jones, Ohio State
Like Michigan, Ohio State is absolutely loaded on the interior offensive line. Opposite Jackson at right guard is Matthew Jones, a consensus second-team All-Big Ten selection last season.
The former four-star recruit out of Brooklyn, New York, allowed just one sack on 730 snaps in 2022.
The 6-4, 315-pounder started all but one game last year – the loss to Michigan. He too passed on jumping to the NFL this offseason. Now Jones and Jackson rank right up there with Zinter and Keegan as the nation’s top guard duos.
OSU lost both starting tackles and center from last season to the NFL. Getting Jones and Jackson back was critical for the Buckeyes.
5. Isaiah Adams, Illinois
Last season was a strong step forward for Illinois under head coach Bret Bielema. The play of its offensive line was a significant part of that, especially Isaiah Adams.
Starting all 13 games for the Fighting Illini – 12 at left guard and one at left tackle – Adams was a third-team All-Big Ten choice (media). He led the team with 120.5 knockdowns, including reaching double digits in six of his 13 games.
The 6-5, 315, senior from Ajax, Ontario, helped Illinois’ o-line become the first in school history to be named a Joe Moore Award semifinalist.
