Less than 48 hours after Washington's heartbreaking loss to Michigan in the College Football Playoff National Championship in January 2024, an exodus began. The primary targets of this player movement were clear: the Huskies' Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line, which was widely regarded as the best unit in college football. Every scholarship offensive lineman on the team was approached through intermediaries, highlighting the frantic nature of the current college football landscape.
Things became even more complicated when it was announced that coach Kalen DeBoer was poised to take over for Nick Saban at Alabama. Out of the 10 offensive linemen listed on Washington’s depth chart for the championship game, only two remain on the roster. Tackle Troy Fautanu and Roger Rosengarten declared for the draft, while center Parker Brailsford followed DeBoer and offensive line coach Scott Huff to Alabama. Guards Julius Buelow and Nate Kalepo transferred to Ole Miss, and tackle Jalen Klemm initially stayed but later joined Arizona State after the 2024 season.
Last season, new Washington coach Jedd Fisch was forced to rely on three transfers to fill five spots on the offensive line. The results were dire, as the new-look Huskies plummeted from No. 17 to 127 in pass-blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus, finishing the season with a disappointing 6-7 record. In the first seven years of the CFP, the national runner-up won at least 11 games the following year, but since the introduction of Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) laws in 2021, two of the three finalists have ended up with losing records the next year. This marks a significant shift in the dynamics of college football, where the influx of transfers and pay-for-play systems under NIL has created a turbulent market that has hit team cohesion, especially in the offensive line.
At the core of any football team is the offensive line. This position demands a level of clear and coordinated action from some of the largest athletes on the field. It requires players to bulk up while maintaining their balance, agility, and hand-eye coordination. However, in the current era of NIL and the transfer portal, every player is a target, leading to a chaotic environment. Reports indicate that starting-caliber offensive linemen received offers nearing $500,000 last offseason, complicating decision-making for players and coaches alike.
As revenue sharing becomes more prevalent, offers are expected to rise, making player retention increasingly challenging. Arkansas coach Sam Pittman noted, “Wherever I’ve been, the development of offensive linemen is still the same, but the keeping of them is totally different.” He expressed his surprise at the demands of players who have played limited snaps, illustrating the new pressures in recruiting and player retention.
Legendary Notre Dame offensive lineman Aaron Taylor has dedicated his career to raising awareness about offensive linemen's struggles. In 2015, he co-founded the Joe Moore Award, which honors the best offensive line unit in college football rather than individual players. Taylor emphasizes six key criteria for the award: toughness, effort, teamwork, consistency, technique, and finishing. He cites the 2016 Iowa offensive line as a prime example of these attributes, yet finding comparable units has become increasingly difficult. “Fundamentals and physicality are what launched this award,” Taylor explained, “and that's becoming harder and harder to find.”
The complexities of modern college football have made it difficult for offensive linemen to develop. Players must engage in a developmental plan that can take several years, even for elite prospects. Miami offensive line coach Alex Mirabal elaborated, “Blocking is not natural. It’s something that you have to teach from the ground up, and it takes time.” The challenge lies not only in physical training but also in the mental aspects of learning precise movements and techniques required for the position.
The evaluation process for offensive linemen is also challenging. Texas offensive line coach Kyle Flood noted that he signed 17 offensive linemen in his first four years, yet only six had started a game entering 2025. The others needed significant time to develop, emphasizing the importance of continuity along the offensive line.
Increased passing in the game has led to a shift in training, with linemen now focusing more on moving backward than pushing forward. This change in emphasis diminishes the significance of fundamental techniques, which can have severe consequences during games. Consistency within the offensive line is crucial; one bad play can disrupt an entire drive, according to Pro Football Focus analyst Billy Moy. “The ramifications of removing parts from that consistency can be devastating,” he stated.
Pittman, regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches, has faced challenges with the transfer portal. While he successfully developed elite players at Georgia, the dynamics have shifted as a head coach. Last year, Arkansas saw a solid offensive line formed from four transfers, but the exit of several key players afterward disrupted the group's cohesion. “There's so much power in the cohesiveness of the group,” Pittman remarked, highlighting the difficulties posed by constant roster changes.
The lack of quality depth has become a significant concern for many elite programs. Taylor observed that injuries to key players dramatically impacted performance, causing a ripple effect that was unprecedented in recent seasons. Teams like Ohio State, which lost crucial players, experienced significant declines in performance despite eventually rallying.
The long-term implications of transfer losses can be detrimental. A few missed evaluations or unexpected transfers can obliterate a team's projected offensive line depth chart. Consequently, coaches often find themselves returning to the transfer portal to fill gaps. This reality reflects the evolving nature of college football, where player movement has become the norm rather than the exception.
As the NIL era progresses, the consistency of offensive lines across college football is noticeably declining. The days of powerhouse programs like Alabama and Georgia monopolizing top talent may be over. With the redistribution of talent, programs like TCU and Florida have capitalized on the transfers from elite schools, allowing them to build stronger offensive lines and improve their competitiveness.
Pittman noted that NIL has led to unexpected parity in college football, as top prospects are now considering offers from a broader range of schools. The case of Jackson Cantwell, a top offensive line prospect, illustrates how NIL has leveled the playing field, allowing Miami to compete with traditional powerhouses for elite talent.
In modern college football, offensive linemen play a crucial yet underappreciated role. The dynamics of player movement, NIL, and the transfer portal have introduced a myriad of challenges, making it essential for programs to adapt. Coaches must focus on instilling fundamentals while also navigating the complexities of player retention and recruitment in a rapidly changing environment. To succeed, offensive line coaches must develop their units with the understanding that every player is a potential short-term asset, emphasizing the need for long-term growth and development.
