• Stanford center Drake Nugent: The new Michigan Wolverine is the best offensive lineman in the transfer portal after dominating for the Cardinal in 2022.
• Western Kentucky offensive tackle Gunner Britton: The redshirt junior is the best offensive tackle available after excelling as a pass protector this year.
• Louisville guard Luke Kandra: The new Cincinnati Bearcat is — or was — the top offensive guard in the portal after dominating in pass protection.
Estimated Reading Time: 4 mins
With more than 1,000 college football players in the transfer portal, it can be difficult to parse through all the talent. But PFF's advanced stats for 354 teams ranging from the FBS to Division III aim to do exactly that.
After going over our top 25 players in the transfer portal as well as our All-Transfer Portal team, here are the 10 best offensive linemen searching for new homes.
1. C Drake Nugent (Stanford Cardinal)
Transfer Destination: Michigan Wolverines
Nugent’s 80.2 grade this season ranked seventh best among all centers in college football. In particular, the senior’s 83.7 run-blocking grade was the fourth-best mark in the nation.
Next season, Nugent will play for Michigan. The Wolverines’ last center, Olusegun Oluwatimi, won the Outland Trophy this year as the best interior lineman in college football.
New Michigan C Drake Nugent over the past two seasons:
💪 993 Pass Block Snaps
💪 2 QB Hits Allowed pic.twitter.com/FLBIzp0pl7— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 19, 2022
2. OG Clark Barrington (BYU Cougars)
Transfer Destination: Undecided
Over the past two seasons, Barrington’s 85.3 grade ranks seventh among FBS guards. His 87.5 pass-blocking grade in that span is seventh among the same group.
On 843 pass-blocking snaps over the past two years, the redshirt junior has allowed a sack or hit only three times. Due to his dominance in pass protection, Barrington is the 10th-most-valuable guard since 2021, according to PFF’s wins above average metric.
Clark Barrington (LG 56) asking me to watch more of him pic.twitter.com/8dukKBdOMI
— Draft Guy Jared (@DraftGuyJared) November 2, 2022
3. OT Gunner Britton (Western Kentucky Hilltoppers)
Transfer Destination: Undecided
Britton recorded an 87.0 pass-blocking grade this season, ranking fifth among all offensive tackles in college football.
The redshirt junior allowed a pressure on only 1.7% of his pass-blocking snaps, the fifth-lowest rate among FBS tackles. He was the eighth-most-valuable tackle in the nation this year, according to PFF’s wins above average metric.
Well… you don't see that everyday. Offensive linemen Gunner Britton catches the ball off a deflection on 4th&11 and runs for the first down!@WKUFootball | #CUSAFB pic.twitter.com/stqxiXrxts
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) October 2, 2022
4. OT Jeremiah Byers (UTEP Miners)
Transfer Destination: Florida State Seminoles
Byers was one of only seven offensive tackles in the country this year with top-20 grades as both a pass protector and a run blocker.
The redshirt sophomore had nine big-time blocks, which was tied for sixth most among FBS tackles. He also allowed only a 1.9% pressure rate, the eighth-lowest mark in the nation. Byers will play for Florida State next season.
UTEP OT Jeremiah Byers (@JeremiahByers38) will enter the transfer portal with two years of remaining eligibility.
A ton of upside to unearth still in his game, he's big, athletic and strong. I anticipate P5 teams to heavily pursue the Texas native.https://t.co/LBuXpewSWk pic.twitter.com/E2m7udFGGT
— Brendan Sonnone (@BSonnone) December 3, 2022
5. OT Dalton Cooper (Texas State Bobcats)
Transfer Destination: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Cooper was a road grader last season. His 90.1 run-blocking grade in 2021 was a top-10 mark among all offensive tackles in the country.
This year, the redshirt sophomore became an elite pass protector. His 85.1 pass-blocking grade was a top-10 figure among FBS tackles. If Cooper can put it all together next season at Oklahoma State, he should be one of the best offensive linemen in the nation.
Go Pokes🍊@Coach_Dickey #SaddleUp #DAT pic.twitter.com/bmFBfEO9ht
— Dalton Cooper (@_super_coope) December 14, 2022
6. OT Ajani Cornelius (Rhode Island Rams)
Transfer Destination: Undecided
Cornelius is one of the hottest names in the transfer portal right now, with offers from schools such as Ohio State, Tennessee, Oregon and Nebraska.
My family and I really enjoyed our visit at The Ohio State University this weekend. Thank you! @ryandaytime @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/LEnt9q6uAW
— Ajani Cornelius (@AJCornelius65) December 19, 2022
The sophomore led all FCS offensive tackles with a 91.0 run-blocking grade, while his 89.5 overall grade ranked third best. The former zero-star recruit also gave up only a 1.6% pressure rate, which was the third lowest among FCS tackles.
7. OG Luke Kandra (Louisville Cardinals)
Transfer Destination: Cincinnati Bearcats
Kandra kept his quarterback’s uniform pristine this season. On 155 pass-blocking snaps, he didn’t allow a single sack or hit. The sophomore was one of only 12 Power Five guards with at least 150 pass-blocking snaps to accomplish that feat.
Next year, Kandra will take his talents to Cincinnati for the Bearcats’ first year in the Big 12 conference.
I’m coming back HOME ‼️‼️@GoBEARCATS pic.twitter.com/KRhnDQDoOp
— Luke Kandra (@luke_kandra) December 8, 2022
8. OG Micah Mazzccua (Baylor Bears)
Transfer Destination: Undecided
Mazzccua is an absolute people-mover. His 78.5 run-blocking grade this season stood ninth among Power Five guards. The sophomore’s 14 big-time blocks were tied for second among all guards in the country.
Freaky stuff from the LG Micah Mazzccua pic.twitter.com/ymL9VXLPLW
— Travis Roeder (@Travis_Roeder) November 13, 2022
9. OG Javion Cohen (Alabama Crimson Tide)
Transfer Destination: Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Cohen struggled mightily in pass protection last season. His 34 pressures allowed were nine more than any other Power Five guard in 2021.
The junior made a complete 180 this year, though. His 99.1 pass-blocking efficiency score tied for sixth among Power Five guards in 2022. Next season, he’ll take his talents to South Beach and join the Miami (FL) Hurricanes.
Javion Cohen (LG 70) just lookin for work pic.twitter.com/JkFmPgAwyL
— Draft Guy Jared (@DraftGuyJared) October 5, 2022
10. C Willie Lampkin (Coastal Carolina Chanticleers)
Transfer Destination: North Carolina Tar Heels
Lampkin’s 77.1 grade this season was the third-best mark for a Group of Five center. The junior especially excelled as a run blocker, where his 78.5 grade led the Group of Five and was a top-10 figure among all centers in college football.
Next year, Lampkin will snap the ball to Heisman-hopeful quarterback Drake Maye at North Carolina.
The journey started at the beach and now it will finish on the hill!!! #COMMITTED #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/sZaYZZTYox
— Willie L (@will_hitstick52) December 18, 2022
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