Ranking the Big Ten: Offensive Tackle
As the 2025 college football season quickly approaches, it is time to look at the top players at each position in the Big Ten.
Today, we continue our annual Ranking the Big Ten series with the offensive tackles. Oregon added the top tackle in the transfer portal cycle, but the conference also has strong tackles returning.
Previous Ranking the Big Tens: QB | RB | WR | TE |
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1. Isaiah World, Oregon
Nevada transfer Isaiah World was the top offensive tackle this portal cycle. He landed at Oregon, highlighting an impressive transfer portal class. World is expected to be a first-round 2026 NFL draft pick.
The 6-foot-8, 309-pound senior was an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention twice at Nevada. He started 36 games over two seasons after redshirting in 2021. In 2024, he allowed one sack, two QB hits and 12 total hurries.
The San Diego, Calif. native scored an 82.4 pass block grade by Pro Football Focus, 11th amongst 2024 starting tackles. World will be a dominant force for the Ducks.
2. Gennings Dunker, Iowa
Iowa’s right tackle Gennings Dunker is returning after a strong 2024 campaign. He was named a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the league’s coaches and a third-team selection by the media.
The 6-foot-5, 316-pound tackle has started 25 games over his three seasons as a Hawkeye. In 2024, he allowed two sacks, two quarterback hits and nine QB hurries. He scored a 90.2 offensive and run blocking PFF grade as a junior. Dunker’s run-blocking grade was second only to Utah’s Spencer Fano in 2024.
3. J.C. Davis, Illinois
J.C. Davis has started 37 consecutive games at left tackle, with 13 for the Fighting Illini. The former New Mexico tackle will continue his streak into the 2025 season. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound lineman was a 2024 All-Big Ten Third Team pick by the coaches and an honorable mention by the media.
Davis was on the AP All-Bowl Team after allowing zero pressures in Illinois’ win over No. 14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. In his first Big Ten season, Davis gave up one sack, one QB hit and 14 QB hurries. Over his three seasons of college football, the Oakland, Calif. native has allowed five sacks, 4 hits and 30 pressures.
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4. Carter Smith, Indiana
Carter Smith is entering his third straight season as Indiana’s starting left tackle. He is returning after an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2024. Smith has started 25 games with 1,627 snaps on the left end of the Hoosiers’ offensive line.
The 6-foot-5, 308-pounder is one of five returning Power Four offensive tackles who posted pass blocking and run blocking grades of 75 or better. He recorded a 79.5 pass-blocking and a 75.7 run-blocking grade in 2024.
Smith allowed six QB hurries with two sacks and four hits last season. He gave up one sack vs. Michigan and one vs. Ohio State.
5. Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
Northwestern tackle Caleb Tiernan is experienced at left and right tackle. He has more than 2,100 career snaps over four seasons with the Wildcats. The senior has started every game for Northwestern at left tackle for the past two seasons. He started six games at right tackle in 2022.
The 6-foot-7, 280-pound tackle is coming off his best season yet. The All-Big Ten honorable mention recorded a career-high 88.9 pass-blocking grade and a 74.8 run-blocking score. In 2024, he had a top 10 pass-blocking grade amongst all FBS tackles. His grade led the Big Ten. The next closest tackle in the conference was Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. with an 83.6 grade, ranked No. 22.
Over Tiernan’s three seasons of starting experience, he has allowed six sacks, 13 hits and 31 pressures.
