One player every SEC football offensive line needs to break out in 2026

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The offensive line is the most unique position on the football field. Not only does it require talent, but it requires a mix of technique and chemistry that's hard to find. Five players have to be in lockstep, and one weak link can sink the entire group.

2025 was a down year for offensive line play in the SEC. Six teams averaged less than four yards per carry. Teams that were expected to be strong up front, like Texas and Florida, averaged less than 4.5 yards per carry.

Today, we'll be looking at one key leverage point for every offensive line in the SEC. These are players that, if they put it together, can elevate their respective offensive lines. For some OLs, that means going from good to elite. For others, it means going from bad to average.

Some of the leverage points were included because they were the weak link last year. Others are on here because they were already good, but have a chance to carry the group if another step is taken. Let's jump in.

Georgia Bulldogs: Juan Gaston, Right Tackle

Juan Gaston enters his sophomore campaign after signing with Georgia as a four-star in 2025. Coming out of high school, Gaston was the No. 62-ranked recruit in the country and No. 4 at his position. Gaston is massive, standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing well over 300 pounds, which allowed him to step right in and play right away, earning a start in the season opener last Fall.

Gaston looked like a freshman at times last year. He wasn't polished, but UGA stuck with him. That experience will prove to be beneficial this year as Gaston is set to be Georgia's starting right tackle. UGA's OL figures to be one of the best in the nation — if Gaston puts it together, it could be the best.

Georgia has veteran Earnest Greene III starting at left tackle. A Gaston breakout would solidify UGA's tackle duo.

Texas Longhorns: Brandon Baker, Right Guard

Expectations were high for the Texas OL entering 2025. Baker, a blue-chip recruit, was expected to break out at right tackle. That's not how it played out. Baker, like much of the Longhorns' offensive line, was inconsistent. Now, Baker moves inside to guard and gets another shot at the breakout campaign.

I feel good about Texas' tackles. Trevor Goosby and Wake Forest transfer Melvin Siani are dependable. But if Baker emerges as a top-notch guard, like his talent level suggests he could, the Texas OL will be much better than it was last year.

Baker can make Arch Manning's life a lot easier by solidifying the interior of the offensive line. If Manning is protected and the run game can alleviate pressure from the passing game, the Texas offense will be humming.

Alabama Crimson Tide: Jackson Lloyd, Left Tackle

I could have picked any of Alabama's five projected starters. The offensive line was not good last year and Bama needs someone to step up at every position. With the entire line facing pressure, no position is more important than left tackle. Jackson Lloyd will be tasked with stepping in and replacing Kadyn Proctor.

Lloyd, at 6-foot-7, has the size to play in the SEC. He was a blue-chip recruit and Alabama had to beat out the likes of Oregon and Ohio State for his services. On3 was high on Lloyd coming out of high school, labeling him a five-star recruit. Lloyd is unproven and only played 41 snaps last year, but Alabama is betting on the talent.

If Lloyd lives up to his five-star billing, Alabama has a potential star to anchor the offensive line. A strong left tackle would take pressure off the unit and put Alabama in position to take a step forward.

Oklahoma Sooners: Michael Fasusi, Left Tackle

I debated between a few names for Oklahoma, but I went with Fasusi just because he has the raw potential to be an All-American. The five-star earned the starting left tackle job as a true freshman and posted an admirable 65.1 PFF blocking grade. Oklahoma's OLs have been subpar in recent years. That's unusual because this unit was among the best in college football under Lincoln Riley.

Fasusi has star potential and can elevate Oklahoma's offensive line back to the standard it set in the 2010s. We'll get a good look at Fasusi in Week 2, when he's tasked with blocking a dangerous Michigan defensive line.

Ole Miss Rebels: Terez Davis, Left Tackle

Ole Miss's interior offensive line should be among the SEC's best, but the Rebels have question marks at the tackle positions. One of those questions can be answered if Terez Davis lives up to his billing at left tackle. Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding was high on Davis at SEC Media Days — a good sign for Rebel fans.

Davis began his career at Maryland and was a starter in 2024. He was on the bench for Ole Miss last year, but now has a prime chance to emerge as a starter in the SEC.

Texas A&M Aggies: Coen Echols, Left Guard

Texas A&M's offensive line was arguably the best in the SEC last year, but most of the production from that unit is now gone. A&M will rely on transfers to build the 2026 unit. Building an OL through the portal comes with risk, but A&M has a strong record of portal scouting under head coach Mike Elko.

There's an ongoing competition at left guard, but in an ideal world, Coen Echols wins the job and lives up to his talent level. Echols is a former blue-chip recruit and flashed with LSU in 2025. He was a coveted prospect in the transfer portal, opting to return to his home state and suit up for the Aggies. A&M needs a strong run game to take pressure off QB Marcel Reed. A&M needs the guards to emerge to clear paths on the inside.

Tennessee Volunteers: Ory Williams, Right Tackle

We'll stick with the theme of LSU transfers here. Ory Williams left LSU and landed at Tennessee, where he's projected to start at right tackle. Williams joined LSU's OL rotation midway through 2025 as the Tigers searched for answers. Williams didn't provide many, but he showed flashes of potential.

Williams is talented and has the size to play in the SEC. Tennessee's OL is a veteran group and should be one of the best in the SEC. If Williams is even an average right tackle, this unit goes from good to really good. If Williams becomes a quality starter, Tennessee's offensive line is elite.

LSU Tigers: Weston Davis, Right Tackle

Weston Davis could have transferred like a handful of other LSU offensive linemen did, but he chose to stick around in Baton Rouge. That means the new staff has a plan for the talented redshirt sophomore. Davis really struggled early in 2025, but he made some progress late in the year, especially in pass protection. He continued to work as LSU's starting right tackle in the spring, despite facing competition.

Davis holding the spot through spring practice, combined with his late progress in 2025, is a good sign for LSU. The Tigers have question marks across the offensive line, but if Davis pans out, LSU should be in good shape. The Tigers are solid at left tackle with the arrival of Jordan Seaton.

South Carolina Gamecocks: Shed Sarratt, Right Tackle

If we did this list in January, Sarratt wouldn't be on it. But South Carolina tackle Josiah Thompson suffered a season-ending injury and now Sarratt will be the Gamecocks' right tackle. South Carolina's offensive line has struggled for years, so much so that Shane Beamer brought in a new offensive line coach. SC needs a lot more than Sarratt to step up, but South Carolina can't afford to have a major liability at right tackle.

Auburn Tigers: Stanton Ramil, Right Tackle

I put Ramil here because I think he has the potential to be really good. The Michigan State transfer has dealt with injuries, but when he's on the field, he looks like a legit player. Auburn's offensive line is transfer-heavy in Alex Golesh's first season as head coach, but I think both tackles have upside. With Byrum Brown's legs at QB, this run game will be productive. Ramil is athletic and can do it all — run block and pass block. If Ramil stays healthy, Auburn has a good one at right tackle.

Florida Gators: Caden Jones, Tackle

Florida's was hard to pick. There's an open competition at both tackle spots and I might as well have just said, "any player competing at right or left tackle."

But I'll go with Caden Jones, a returning starter in the mix at right tackle. Jones was a four-star recruit in the class of 2023 and stuck with the Gators this offseason despite the coaching transition. He played 541 snaps in 2025, giving him bona fide SEC experience. Jones finished the year with a 54.2 PFF blocking grade — not great.

But at 6-foot-8, Jones has the tools to play in the SEC. We'll get a clearer picture of where Florida's tackle competition stands when fall camp begins, but Jones' experience could give him the edge. Florida likes what it has on the interior offensive line, but the tackle position is the biggest question mark on the team. It's hard to see the Gators' offense having success without at least one tackle emerging as a quality player.

Vanderbilt Commodores: Beau Johnson, Left Tackle

Vanderbilt's OL punched above its weight last year. Now, four of five starters from the unit are gone. Vandy will trust FCS transfer Beau Johnson to take over one of the tackle spots. Vanderbilt did well finding value offensive linemen in the portal last year, and the hope is Johnson can be of a similar caliber. Johnson has plenty of college football experience from his time at North Dakota State, and the raw talent is there, but playing in the SEC is different.

Missouri Tigers: Josh Atkins, Right Tackle

Arizona State transfer Josh Atkins is projected to start at right tackle, but he's the blindside protector for Missouri. That's because Tigers' QB Austin Simmons is left-handed. That makes Atkins the most important right tackle in the SEC. He's also tasked with replacing Keagan Trost, who was very good for Eli Drinkwitz's squad last year.

Atkins was a coveted transfer and has the ability to play in the SEC. Big things are expected from Missouri's line, but for the unit to reach expectations, Atkins needs to hit.

Mississippi State Bulldogs: DJ Chester, Left Guard

Mississippi State's offensive line was not good last year. The Bulldogs don't have the same level of resources as their SEC peers, making it hard to get five quality SEC linemen in the door. I actually like the upside Mississippi State has with its options at tackle, so for this exercise, I'll pick another LSU transfer — guard DJ Chester.

Chester began his career as a center at LSU before the Tigers bumped him to guard. Chester didn't excel at either position and was inconsistent throughout his LSU career. Perhaps a fresh start will allow Chester to hit the reset button. Chester is talented, and LSU coaches were once high on the Georgia native; it just never panned out.

If Chester pans out and MSU can realize the upside at the tackle positions, the Mississippi State OL will take a step.

Kentucky Wildcats: Malachi Wood, Right Tackle

Will Stein did a good job building Kentucky's offensive line through the portal this offseason, which included signing Lance Heard from Tennessee. But I'll pick a nontransfer as the leverage point: right tackle Malachi Wood.

Wood played 351 snaps with the Wildcats in 2024, but didn't really factor into the rotation last year. Now, he gets another chance. At 6-foot-8, Wood has the size to play in the SEC, he just has to put the talent together. If Wood pans out this fall, there's a chance Kentucky's OL can be the strength of the team in Stein's first year. Don't sleep on this unit.

Arkansas Razorbacks: Kelvin Broussard, Left Tackle

Arkansas is a trendy pick to finish last in the SEC, but the offensive line could exceed expectations. Head coach Ryan Silverfield is an OL coach by trade and there's some talent in this room. Kelvin Broussard can take this group from average to good with a breakout year, though. At right tackle, Arkansas will start coveted transfer Bryant Williams. Williams should have a good year, so if Broussard pans out on the other side, Arkansas has a good tackle duo to work with.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: One player every SEC football offensive line needs to break out in 2026

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