Best Offensive Linemen in College Football History
We love to talk about all of the great offenses in the history of college football. However, none of these powerhouse offensives would be talked about if not for their offensive linemen.
There have been some legendary O-line college players and we want to give them their spotlight. Here are ten of the best linemen in college football history and their iconic moments.
10 Barrett Jones: Alabama, 2009 to 2012
- Played Every O-Line Position
- 2011 Outland Trophy Winner
- 2012 Rimington Trophy Winner
- 3x National Champion
Of all of the players on our best linemen in college football history list, Barrett Jones is the most diverse player. While playing for one of the greatest Alabama teams ever, Jones played every O-line position and was outstanding at them all.
You could put Barrett anywhere on the line and he would excel at that position. He played a key role in Alabama’s power running game and helped them win three national titles.
Barrett’s outstanding play led him to win the Outland Trophy(2011) and Rimington Trophy(2012) before entering the NFL.
9 Joe Thomas: Wisconsin, 2003 to 2006
- Allowed Only 5 QB Pressures
- 2006 Outland Trophy Winner
- Unanimous All-American
- Incredible 2006 Capital One Bowl Performance
Joe Thomas was a force on the Wisconsin offensive line during their successful years from 2003 to 2006. In those four years, Thomas only allowed QB Joe Stocco to be pressured just five times.
His outstanding play his senior year earned Joe the 2006 Outland Trophy and unanimous All-American honors. Then, despite Thomas being injured before the Capital One Bowl, he suited up and helped the Badgers beat the Auburn Tigers.
8 Jake Long: Michigan, 2004 to 2006
- Allowed 1 Sack in College
- 2x All-American
- 2x Big Ten O-Lineman of the Year
- Led Michigan Resurgence in the 2000s
Jake Long is another great lineman who must be mentioned on the list of best offensive linemen in college football history. During Long’s time as the starting offensive tackle at Michigan, he couldn’t be moved.
Long played a big part in Michigan’s resurgence to prominence during the early 2000s. He helped the high-power offense of the Wolverines make it to multiple bowl games.
Jack earned two Big Ten POTY awards and two All-American honors. However, Long’s most incredible stat is that he only gave up one sack in his entire college career.
7 Dave Rimington: Nebraska, 1979 to 1982
- Arguably Nebraska’s Greatest Center
- 2x Outland Winner(1981 & 1982)
- 1982 Lombardi Winner
- Nebraska Averaged 394 Yards in 1982
Dave Rimington marked his name as one of Nebraska’s greatest centers. He dominated Big Ten defenses from 1979 to 1982 and was considered one of the best offensive linemen in CFB.
Rimington is the only offensive lineman to ever win two Outland Awards and a Lombardi Award. He played a key role in Nebraska’s powerhouse offense in 1982, which averaged 394 rushing yards per game.
6 Bill Fralic: Pittsburgh, 1981 to 1984
- Over 200 Pancake Blocks
- 2x Unanimous All-American
- 6th in Heisman Votes
- CFB Hall of Famer
Next up on our list of the best offensive linemen in college football history is Pittsburgh legend Bill Fralic. The top offensive guard was known for his ability to smash opposing defensive players.
During Fralic’s college career, he recorded over 200 pancake blocks against opposing defenses. Bill’s impressive play earned him two unanimous All-American honors and came in 6th in Heisman voting in 1984.
5 Ron Yary: USC, 1965 to 1967
- 1967 Outland Trophy Winner
- 2x All-American
- CFB Hall of Famer
- USC Averaged 400 YPG in 1967
Ron Yary was one of the best offensive linemen in college football history who played for legendary USC teams during the 1960s. For three years, Yary was one of the top USC linemen who anchored the Trojan’s powerhouse offense.
In Ron’s last year of college football, the Trojans averaged a staggering 400 yards per game in 1967. This impressive stat helped earn Yary the 1967 Outland Trophy and All-American honors.
He was later elected into both the college and pro football Hall of Fame for his incredible play.
4 Anthony Munoz: USC, 1976 to 1979
- Known For His Toughness
- All-American
- 1978 National Champion Team
- 1979 Rose Bowl Champion
Anthony Munoz is arguably the toughest player on the list of best offensive linemen in college football history. The former offensive tackle came into his senior year as one of the top-ranked offensive linemen after winning the national title.
Unfortunately, a knee injury forced Munoz off the field for most of the season. However, Munoz showed his incredible toughness by coming back for the Rose Bowl and helping USC beat Ohio State.
Anthony then went to the NFL and is considered by many as the greatest offensive tackle in history.
3 Jonathan Ogden: UCLA, 1992 to 1995
- All-American
- 1995 Outland Trophy Winner
- CFB Hall of Famer
- Only Allowed 2 Sacks in College
The nineties were full of great offensive linemen and Jonathan Ogden was one of the best. Ogden was a premier left tackle, who was part of the greatest teams in UCLA history.
During Jonathan’s entire college career, he only gave up two sacks. His impressive play led him to winning the 1995 Outland Trophy and All-American honors. Jonathan would later be honored with an induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
2 Orlando Pace: Ohio State, 1994 to 1996
- 2x Lombardi Award Winner
- 2x All-American
- 80 Pancake Blocks in 1996
- No Sacks in His Last Two Seasons
Of all of the best linemen in college football history, Orlando Pace is in a class all his own. Pace was a dominant force on Ohio State’s offensive line from 1994 to 1996.
In Orlando’s last two years, he gave up no sacks and recorded 80 pancake blocks just in 1996. His incredible play made him a 2x Lombardi Award winner and the only player to ever achieve this feat.
Pace then went into the NFL and became one of the greatest offensive linemen ever.
1 John Hannah: Alabama, 1970 to 1972
- 2x All-American
- Unparalleled Blocking Dominance
- CFB Hall of Famer
- Considered an All-Time Great
When you ask the best offensive lineman in college football history, who was the greatest, many say it was John Hannah. Legendary coach Bear Bryant said John Hannah was the greatest offensive lineman he coached and the best he ever saw.
Hannah displayed unparalleled blocking dominance, which earned him two All-American honors. In 1981, Sports Illustrated listed him as the greatest offensive lineman of all time.
John was the first offensive lineman in NFL history to receive nine Pro Bowl honors and seven All-Pro selections.
