Latest news with #offensivelineman
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin football boasts one of PFF's top returning Big Ten offensive tackles
Wisconsin football veteran lineman Riley Mahlman is ProFootballFocus' sixth-best returning Big Ten offensive tackle entering the 2025 season. Mahlman, the Badgers' starting right tackle since 2022, graded out at 76.0 last season. He's ranked below only Michigan State right tackle Conner Moore (via Montana State) at 79.5, Indiana left tackle Carter Smith at 80.2, Northwestern left tackle Caleb Tiernan at 84.6, Oregon right tackle Alex Harkey (via Texas State) at 85.8 and Iowa right tackle Gennings Dunker at 90.2. Advertisement When transfers Moore and Harkey are not considered, Mahlman is the fourth-highest-graded returning Big Ten offensive tackle. ProFootballFocus outlined Mahlman's strong standing back in February, when it ranked him as the No. 10-ranked tackle in college football entering 2025. "Mahlman entered 2024 as our No. 8 offensive tackle in college football and remains in the top 10 a year later. The only returning Power Four tackle who's been more valuable than him over the last two years is Wagner according to PFF's WAA metric. Mahlman's 79.6 grade in that span is tied for 34th among all tackles in the nation. The player tied with him is Olu Fashanu, a top-15 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He's both a good pass-blocker and run-blocker, earning 75.0-plus grades in each over the last two seasons." Mahlman's strong position entering 2025 is no surprise. The standout tackle has been a mainstay on Wisconsin's offensive line since his redshirt freshman season in 2022, excelling in 2023 and 2024 despite the overall struggles of Phil Longo's air raid scheme. His play will be key to Wisconsin's success in 2025. New offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes is set to return the unit to its pro-style roots, a shift that should help the entire offensive line. A spring practice injury to starting left tackle Kevin Heywood raises some questions about the unit's alignment and performance. It will bring increased focus to Mahlman's play, especially as the team is likely forced to scheme help for its blind-side replacement. Advertisement We get a first look at Mahlman, Wisconsin's offensive line and the mentioned new-look pro-style scheme when the Badgers begin their season on Thursday, Aug. 28, at home against Miami (OH). Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin Badgers tackle Riley Mahlman among PFF's top Big Ten OTs
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buccaneers Offensive Star's Odds for New NFL Award
Buccaneers Offensive Star's Odds for New NFL Award originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Earlier this offseason, the NFL announced a new award meant to honor the best offensive lineman in the league each season. Advertisement The Protector of the Year Award will be presented annually at the NFL Honors show and will recognize the best player in the trenches each year. Former Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth described the award best. 'This award means everything to the big guys up front,' said Whitworth. 'The Protector of the Year isn't just about stats – it's about the mindset, grit and leadership it takes to be the foundation of a football team. It's time the men who lead, protect and never ask for credit are recognized as the backbone of this game.' Pro Football Focus updated the odds for the award, with the Bucs' Tristan Wirfs with the third-best odds at +1300 behind Detroit's Penei Sewell at +650 and Philadelphia's Lane Johnson at +750. Advertisement "As the reigning winner of PFF's Best Pass Blocker Award in 2024, Wirfs will have a compelling case to be a finalist for the inaugural Protector of the Year honor. Pass protection remains the most critical aspect of tackle play, and Wirfs continues to set the standard for it. His 94.1 PFF pass-blocking grade last season not only led the NFL but also ranked as the second-highest single-season mark among all offensive linemen in the past decade. The winner will be selected by a panel of former offensive linemen based on skill metrics, impact, leadership, durability and strength of opponent. The initial panel includes former players LeCharles Bentley, Jason Kelce, Shaun O'Hara, Orlando Pace, Will Shields and Whitworth. As the Bucs' current left tackle, Wirfs is the only player to make the Pro Bowl as a right tackle and a left tackle, and he's been voted to the Pro Bowl in four of his first five seasons in the NFL. The former Iowa Hawkeye has also received two first-team All-Pro honors and one second-team All-Pro honor. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ohio State football adds commitment from three-star offensive tackle Aaron Thomas for 2026
Aaron Thomas, a three-star offensive tackle from Phoenix, has committed to Ohio State, leaving the Buckeyes with another offensive lineman in their recruiting class for 2026. He joined Sam Greer, Maxwell Riley and Tucker Smith as the fourth offensive lineman to make a pledge to join the Buckeyes next year. Advertisement Thomas is the No. 439 overall prospect and No. 36 offensive tackle in the nation, according to the composite rankings from 247Sports. He has promising size as recruiting services list him as 6 feet 7 and 300 pounds. Sep 29, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Mountain Pointe Pride offensive lineman Aaron Thomas (57) holds an American flag as he runs onto the field prior to the game against the American Leadership Academy Patriots at Mountain Pointe High Schoolí•s football field in Phoenix on Sept. 29, 2023. He picked the Buckeyes on June 25 over schools such as Florida State, where his father, Eric, was a center from 1995-99. The other finalists were Texas, Texas A&M and Washington. The Buckeyes first offered Thomas a scholarship in March as his recruitment picked up. He took his official visit a month ago. The four offensive lineman commits have made their decisions since Tyler Bowen was hired as the offensive line coach in February, replacing Justin Frye who left for the same role in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals. Advertisement The group is in position to be larger than the previous cycle when Ohio State signed only three offensive linemen. Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@ and follow along on Bluesky, Instagram and X for more. Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Aaron Thomas, three-star 2026 OT, commits to Ohio State football
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arkansas nabs a commitment from four-star OT Ben Mubenga
Arkansas is loading up in the trenches. Sam Pittman and the Hogs secured a commitment from Rivals four-star offensive tackle Ben Mubenga out of the Peach State on Saturday. The Razorbacks edged out Georgia Tech, Florida State and North Carolina State for the Buford (Ga.) High School mauler -- tabbed as the No. 43 OT in the 2026 recruiting class. Advertisement Mubenga was back on the Hill on June 6 weekend for his official visit -- and has known he was going to be a Hog ever since. "The love in Fayetteville was unmatched," Mubenga started. "I knew I was going to Arkansas during my second day of the official visit," he detailed. "From the academics and the football there, the hospital ... everything felt right. It was exactly what I was looking for." Arkansas started to close the gap with the rest of the teams in the mix as Pittman and offensive line coach Eric Mateos started to dig their heels with Mubenga this spring as coaches hit the road. Advertisement After taking in the sights and sounds of four official visits, no team matched the intensity and track record of the Razorbacks' coaches, who struck a chord with Mubenga. The four-star OT moved his decision up from July 7 to June 26 -- and was excited to land his spot in Arkansas' 2026 class. "Being an offensive lineman, it was clear that Coach Pittman is one of -- if not -- the best at developing offensive linemen," Mubenga asserted. "Having Coach Mateos, who learned under him, speaks for itself."
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Rookie Receives High Praise From Eagles Legend
Chiefs Rookie Receives High Praise From Eagles Legend originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs selected Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Simmons with the 32nd overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. And one of the best lineman of all time thinks the Chiefs have a star. Advertisement In a recent episode of the New Heights podcast with his brother, Travis, Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce had high praise for Simmons, saying he reminded him of one of the best offensive tackles of all time. "I've watched a lot of these linemen coming out the last few years," Kelce said. "This kid, I mean, he is the closest thing I've seen to like a Trent Williams — like that next level strength and athleticism. The only reason he fell to you guys is because of that injury." Simmons suffered a torn patellar tendon injury back in October of this past year, which caused him to slide in the draft. Many considered him to be the offensive lineman in the draft, and he fell all the way to the reigning AFC champions at the end of the first round. Mahomes was the twelfth-most sacked quarterback in the league this past season, so the team went into the 2025 NFL Draft wanting to increase the protection around him. It will be hard to say that they did not do that if Simmons can stay healthy. Advertisement The Chiefs fell in the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles this past season, so Simmons and the rest of the offensive line will be looking to help get the team back to the postseason to redeem themselves. Related: Chiefs Urged To Sign $23.4 Million Star To Complete Offseason Related: Analyst Predicts Chiefs As 'Wildcard' Team In 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
