The 2024 AAC OT Rankings were a struggle to form due to numerous unknowns at the position, whether due to injury or simply a lack of playing time. However, the 2024 AAC iOL Rankings were a struggle for a completely different reason: an abundance of talent. Which big-bodied brawlers lead the way on the interior?
AAC 2024 IOL Rankings
10) Walter Young Bear, G, Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Walter Young Bear is more than an exceptional name. The former walk-on started the final two games at left guard last season and flashed the potential that has led to his first-team projection entering 2024. It’s still early, but Young Bear has the movement skills and raw strength to play his way up the AAC iOL Rankings as the season progresses.
9) Shadre Hurst, G, Tulane Green Wave
Shadre Hurst began the 2023 season as a backup but started from Week 5 through the bowl game. Known for his ability to play both guard positions, he combines quick hands with solid footwork and aided RB Makhi Hughes to 1,300+ yards on the ground. Entering Year 2 as a starter, Hurst should only improve on his impressive play from a year ago.
8) Zane Herring, G, USF Bulls
For those who watched USF last season, it’s no surprise that Zane Herring landed on the 2024 Outland Trophy watch list, given annually to the best interior lineman in college football. He spent three years at Florida State before transferring to the Bulls, where he quickly earned the starting right guard role. At 6’5″ and 313 pounds, Herring is an absolute palisade in pass protection, but he also has no issue generating push up front in the ground game.
7) CJ James, C, UTSA Roadrunners
Say one thing about CJ James, say that he’s consistent. Following a year at Lackawanna CC, he transferred to Abilene Christian. After a strong season there, he landed at New Mexico, where he’s started at center since 2022.
MORE: AAC Strength of Schedule
Onto his fourth and likely final team, James is ready to lead the interior of UTSA’s offensive line. His ability to handle interior pass rushers and maintain leverage has been crucial to his success, and playing next to Cory Godinet and either Venly Tatafu, Jonah Miller, or Luke Lapeze, will only make his job easier.
6) Trent Holler, G, Memphis Tigers
The first of three Memphis Tigers on the 2024 AAC iOL Rankings, Trent Holler transfers in from Marshall. He started two years with the Thundering Herd, splitting his time between LG and RG in 2022 and LG/C/RG in 2023. His versatility and pass-blocking prowess caught Memphis’ eye, and it makes you wonder how he spent the first three years of his career at East Carolina without seeing much playing time.
5) Jonah Gambill, C, Memphis Tigers
Playing next to Holler on the interior will be Jonah Gambill, who returns for his fourth year as a starter for Memphis. He began as a left tackle in 2021 but has lined up exclusively at left guard for the last two years. He’s projected to kick inside to center in 2024, where his ability to quickly engage defenders after the snap will be key to the offense’s efficiency.
4) Vincent Murphy, C, Tulane Green Wave
Three years of riding the pine at South Carolina was enough for Vincent Murphy, who transferred to Western Kentucky in 2022 and recorded back-to-back standout seasons. His Hilltopper tenure launched at guard, but he transitioned to center last year, where he’ll line up for the Green Wave.
Murphy will anchor the unit with his toughness and intelligence in 2024, and he is a good bet to land on an All-AAC team after making an All-Conference USA honorable mention last year.
3) Brady Wilson, C, UAB Blazers
Brady Wilson’s reliability at UAB makes him one of the AAC’s top centers. He excels in pass protection and run blocking and has the mental acumen to manage complex defensive fronts from the pivot.
In 2022, he helped pave the way for record-setting running back DeWayne McBride, who led the nation in rushing. Then, in 2023, UAB pivoted to a more pass-centric offense under first-year head coach Trent Dilfer, and Wilson proved to be a stalwart in pass pro en route to a single-season school record of 450.0 yards per game.
2) Federico Maranges, C, FAU Owls
In 2023, the Owls were one of nine teams in the FBS to start the same OL in each of the 12 regular-season games. Undoubtedly the best performer on the unit was center Federico Maranges, who landed on the Shrine Bowl 1000 watch list this offseason. A team captain last season, Maranges combines size (6’4″ and 300 pounds), strength, and athleticism at the center position and will be instrumental in Year 2 of the Tom Herman era in Boca Raton.
1) Xavier Hill, G, Memphis Tigers
Xavier Hill, the top-ranked iOL in the 2024 AAC Rankings, is one of the best linemen in the country. A transfer from LSU, Hill’s power and footwork allow him to control the line of scrimmage. He was one of nine Tigers to start in all 13 games last season, which is only more impressive when you realize he played six games at RT, two at LG, one at LG/RT, and another at LT/RT.
KEEP READING: 2024 All-AAC College Football Preseason Team and Individual Honors
His 6’4″ and 318-pound frame can thrive at all five positions up front, which is why he made the Shrine Bowl 1000 and the Outland Trophy watch list this offseason and received second-team All-AAC recognition as an OT last year.
2024 AAC IOL Rankings | 11-20
11) Jonny King, Charlotte
12) Brady Small and Lucas Scott, Army
13) Brant Banks and Chad Lindberg, Rice
14) Grayson Mains, Temple
15) Landon Peterson and Gabe Blair, North Texas
16) Brent Self and Ben Purvis, Navy
17) Tautai Li’o Marks, Tulsa
18) Josh Remetich, Tulane
19) Dustyn Hall and Jacob Sacra, East Carolina
20) Mitchell Mays and Jordan Moko, Charlotte
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!