Who are the best interior linemen coming into the 2019 college football season? Here are the 2019 CFN All-America centers and guards.
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– CFN Preview 2019: All 130 Team Previews
2019 CFN Preseason All-America Centers
Based on projections for this college season and production – and not necessarily based on pro talent and potential – here are the best centers coming into the season. Keep in mind, some of these players will end up moving positions where needed by the start of the season.
Honorable Mention All-Americans
15. Bryce Harris, Sr. Toledo
One of the MAC’s best and most versatile blockers, the 6-3, 285-pounder came into his own last season at center. He can work anywhere in the interior.
– 2019 Toledo Preview
14. Ryan McCollum, Jr. Texas A&M
All the tools are there to become a fantastic anchor for the Aggie offensive front. He only started for half of each of his first two seasons, but if you’re looking for the rising NFL prospect on the list, the 6-5, 305-pounder is it.
– 2019 Texas A&M Preview
13. Adam Holtorf, Sr. Kansas State
He’s a good-sized 6-4, 302-pounder who’s been one of the biggest bright spots for the K-State offense over the last two seasons. A smart leader up front, the two-year starter will be one of the key parts in a rebound season.
– 2019 Kansas State Preview
12. Levi Brown, Sr. Marshall
Undersized a bit at 6-4 and 280 pounds, he’s not going to blast away too often, but he’s been terrific for the Herd over his first three seasons. He’s not a top pro prospect, but he’s a technician.
– 2019 Marshall Preview
11. Cesar Ruiz, Jr. Michigan
The 6-4, 319-pound massive blocker in the middle, he’s got experience at guard – and could move back there when needed – but rose up at center last season. He’s got the next-level size and upside to get the NFL types fired up.
– 2019 Michigan Preview
10. Keith Ismael, Jr. San Diego State
An All-Mountain West performer in his first two seasons, the 6-3, 310-pound interior blocker has worked at guard but has a more natural fit at center. His natural profile will get stronger as the Aztec running game improves.
– 2019 San Diego State Preview
9. Frederick Mauigoa, Sr. Washington State
Don’t overlook another good Washington State team with another great offense. The line is going to be terrific, and it all starts with the 6-3, 310-pound veteran going into his third year as the starter.
– 2019 Washington State Preview
8. C/OG Dustin Woodard, Sr. Memphis
It doesn’t matter if he’s a guard – which he was earlier in his career – or if he’s working as a steady pass protecter at center, he’s been a star on one of the nation’s most explosive attacks. He’s only 6-2 and 285 pounds, but he’s able to open holes.
– 2019 Memphis Preview
7. C/OG Sean Pollard, Sr., Clemson
Good size, great experience, excellent talent. The 6-5, 320-pound veteran of a national championship line, he has done it all. He was a guard for most of the time last season and worked at tackle. Now he’ll step in for Justin Falcinelli at center bringing more bulk to the position.
– 2019 Clemson Preview
6. Zach Shackelford, Sr. Texas
It’s his fourth year as a starter on the Texas line that needs a little bit of reworking. A three-time all-star, the 6-4, 305-pounder is also an all-star in the classroom. One of the nation’s most experienced centers, he’ll be one of the main men for Sam Ehlinger to pound away behind.
– 2019 Texas Preview
5. C/OG Darryl Williams, Sr. Mississippi State
The 6-2, 310-pounder worked at guard over the last two seasons and will now likely work at center with Elgton Jenkins gone, where he’ll be expected to rock at the next level. He might not be all that tall, but he’s been among the SEC’s most technically sound blockers over the last two seasons.
– 2019 Mississippi State Preview
4. Cohl Cabral, Sr. Arizona State
It’ll be interesting to see where the NFL types see him. At 6-5 and 291 pounds, he’s a bit tall and thin, but he’s got a good frame to play somewhere on a next-level line. For now, he’ll be one of the nation’s toughest run blocking – and most versatile – centers.
– 2019 Arizona State Preview
CFN Third Team All-America Center
3. Jake Hanson, Sr. Oregon
The one-time star recruit for the program has played up to the expectations with a terrific first three all-star seasons. This year, the 6-5, 297-pounder anchors one of the nation’s best lines and should be among the first centers taken in next year’s draft.
– 2019 Oregon Preview
CFN Second Team All-America Center
2. Nick Harris, Sr. Washington
At just 6-1, he’s not tall, he doesn’t have NFL length, and he might not be the perfect prospect … whatever. The 302-pounder has been a crushing physical blocker for the line at guard and center, earning First Team All-Pac-12 honors last season. Once again, it’ll be a front five full of talent, and he’ll be the lead Dawg.
– 2019 Washington Preview
CFN First Team All-America Center
1. Tyler Biadasz, Jr. Wisconsin
The one guy who’s still around on the Badger offensive line is the one the team can work everything around. The 6-3, 318-pounder was one of the nation’s best centers in the country last year and should be even stronger going into his third season in the job. Steady, dependable, and a road grader, he’ll be the true definition of an anchor.
– 2019 Wisconsin Preview
NEXT: 2019 Preseason CFN All-America Guards
– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak
– CFN Preview 2019: All 130 Team Previews
2019 CFN Preseason All-America Centers
Based on projections for this college season and production – and not necessarily based on pro talent and potential – here are the best guards coming into the season. Keep in mind, some of these players will end up moving positions where needed by the start of the season.
Honorable Mention All-Americans
12. Nick Ford, Soph. Utah
Where do you want to play him? He can work anywhere on the Utah line and shine, but he’s going to hold a spot at left guard where he’ll grow into an all-star. At 6-5 and 315 pounds, he’s big, and he’s about to become the next great Utah offensive lineman.
– 2019 Utah Preview
11. Ben Brown, Soph. Ole Miss
He was a good recruit, but he turned into a great starter as a redshirt freshman as a fixture at right guard. At 6-5 and 318 pounds, he’s already got the size and the frame, and he’s only going to get better as the one the Rebel offense rebuilds around.
– 2019 Ole Miss Preview
10. Marquis Hayes, Soph. Oklahoma
The Oklahoma offensive line needs a little retooling, but it has a massive blocker to build around in the 6-5, 351-pound former star recruit. He’s got the talent to grow into the star of the line now that he’s getting his chance. Watch out.
– 2019 Oklahoma Preview
9. Michael Onwenu, Sr. Michigan
Who’s the best Michigan guard? It’s either Onwenu on one side or Ben Bredeson on the other. There’s no wrong answer either way. The 6-3, 350-pound Onwenu is a giant force for the ground game with three years of experience to rely on.
– 2019 Michigan Preview
8. Ben Cleveland, Jr. Georgia
A rising prospect and blaster on arguably America’s best offensive line, the 6-6, 335-pounder was banged up a bit last season, but this season he’ll be a fixture at right guard. He has to prove he can rock for a full season, but the talent is there a star on a line full of them.
– 2019 Georgia Preview
7. Jack Anderson, Jr. Texas Tech
Great from the start of his career no matter where he worked in the interior, he can see time at center, but he’s a fantastic right guard. At 6-5 and 320 pounds he’s got the frame to fit what the Red Raider offense needs in pass protection.
– 2019 Texas Tech Preview
CFN Third Team All-America Guards
6. Ben Bredeson, Sr. Michigan
He’s got the size and the feet to work at right tackle if needed, but he’s too good at guard to move. The All-Big Ten performer over the last seasons is in his fourth season as a starter, setting a tone for the offensive front on the left time next to OT Jon Runyan. The 6-5, 320-pound veteran isn’t the biggest blocker, but he’s one of the toughest.
– 2019 Michigan Preview
5. John Simpson, Sr. Clemson
The Tigers might be loaded with next-level skill talent, but the machine was able to go thanks to a line that destroyed everything in its path, including Alabama, The 6-4, 330-pound Simpson did his part seeing times at both guard spots.
– 2019 Clemson Preview
CFN Second Team All-America Guards
4. Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms, Sr. Missouri
Whether he’s at tackle or guard, the 6-5, 330-pound senior is a special pass protector with the power to be the star for the ground game. He’s got the strength, the toughness, and the skills to be one of the SEC’s most dominant forces – again.
– 2019 Missouri Preview
3. Solomon Kindley, Jr. Georgia
Flip a coin on if the best guard on the Georgia line is Kindley on the left side or Ben Cleveland on the right. Either way, the Dawgs are fantastic on the interior. The 6-4, 335-pound massive blocker isn’t just an earth-mover, he can get out and make things happen in space, too.
– 2019 Georgia Preview
CFN First Team All-America Guards
2. Tommy Kraemer, Sr. Notre Dame
No, he’s not another Quenton Nelson, but he’s a big, versatile veteran with a great frame and 6-6, 319-pound size. Able to play tackle, but turning into a terrific blocker for the Irish running game as a guard, he’s a great athlete on the inside.
– 2019 Notre Dame Preview
1. Shane Lemieux, Sr. Oregon
He could’ve taken off early to the NFL, but instead he’s back on a sensational line – he might just be the star of all the upcoming All-Pac-12 performers. The 6-4, 317-pounder is as dependable and consistent as they come as a starter over the last three seasons. He’s good against the run, sensational in pass protection, and even though he put off the big paycheck for a year, next season he’ll be a key starter on Sundays.
– 2019 Oregon Preview
