The Mountain West lost a whopping nine of its top offensive tackles with eligibility remaining this offseason: J.C. Davis, Fernando Carmona Jr., DJ Wingfield, Mason Carlan, Drew Azzopardi, Joshua Atkins, and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson entered the transfer portal, while Frank Crum and Cade Beresford declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Despite the mass exodus, the 2024 Mountain West OT Rankings still boast must-see talent and multiple players who could make large leaps in play next season.
Mountain West 2024 OT Rankings
Most rosters have been updated for spring football, but there are a few stragglers. There is also at least one team (looking at you, San Jose State) that should target further transfer additions at the position, so these rankings come with some projection heading into the summer.
10) Isaiah World, Nevada Wolf Pack
Isaiah World is a young prospect, and not just in age. He played one season in high school, missing his sophomore year with a meniscus injury and his senior campaign due to COVID-19. And in that one season, he spent more time on the defensive line. Now a collegiate redshirt junior, the 6’8″ behemoth started at right tackle for Nevada in 2022 and left tackle in 2023.
With Frank Poso also returning, World will, for the first time in his football career, play the same position for two consecutive years. The tools are there — hopefully, some continuity helps him put them on display.
9) Nate Williams, San Diego State Aztecs
San Diego State lost both starting tackles, forcing them to dip into the transfer well. Nate Williams joins the Aztecs from Akron, where he started at right tackle the last two years. As long as SDSU is comfortable with Christian Jones on the left side, that’s likely where Williams will remain in 2024.
He allowed just two sacks last season, and outside of a five-penalty outing against Indiana, he committed only one infraction in 10 games. Whether it’s AJ Duffy or Danny O’Neill under center for head coach Sean Lewis’ NASCAR offense, they’ll feel comfortable in the pocket with Williams up front.
8) Braylen Nelson, Fresno State Bulldogs
One-half of Fresno State’s returning tackle duo, Braylen Nelson took his game to a new level in 2023, seeing nearly double the snaps he logged in 2022. He has always been an imposing force as a run blocker, but he showed improvement as a pass protector, keeping star QB Mikey Keene upright.
7) Luke Felix-Fualalo, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Although left tackle Joshua Atkins is the one who transferred to a Power Five program (Arizona State), Luke Felix-Fualalo quite clearly outplayed him last season. The former Utah Ute will likely move to the blindside in 2024, and QB Brayden Schrager should be beyond ecstatic.
MORE: 2024 Mountain West QB Rankings
Felix-Fualalo is disciplined with his hands and uses his long arms to work edge rushers along the arc. Although a shift from right to left tackle isn’t as simple as it may seem, Felix-Fualalo practiced at the position at Utah.
6) Jacob Spomer, Fresno State Bulldogs
Jacob Spomer rattled off nine weeks of impressive film until a torn ACL ended his season against San Jose State in Week 11. While the injury isn’t as career-altering as it used to be, it still requires a significant amount of recovery. Luckily, Spomer has the time and should be 100% when the 2024 season kicks off.
What he lacks in road-grading ability, he makes up for as an elite pass protector. A full season could see him challenge for an All-Mountain West selection.
5) Caden Barnett, Wyoming Cowboys
As a redshirt sophomore, Caden Barnett looked right at home across from 2024 NFL Draft prospect Frank Crum. The former discus and state powerlifter has no issue pancaking defenders and paving lanes in the ground game. Another year of refinement and draft conversations could follow Barnett.
4) Adam Karas, Air Force Falcons
It’s difficult to place Air Force linemen in ranking because of the triple-option offense they run, but Adam Karas deserves recognition. It goes without saying that he is a stalwart in the ground game, using all of his 6’4″ and 285-pound frame to his advantage. But when the Falcons did pass, he held his own, allowing time for bombs downfield.
With uncertainty under center, Air Force’s staff will presumably lean on the front five even more in 2024.
3) Kage Casey, Boise State Broncos
Not only did Kage Casey earn Boise State’s starting left tackle role last season, but he also received second-team All-Mountain West recognition for his efforts as a redshirt freshman. The arrow is pointed all the way up for Casey, and if he can match his pass-blocking prowess with his run-blocking reputation, a first-team all-conference bid is within reach.
2) Drew Moss, Colorado State Rams
Drew Moss parlayed two years of starting experience at Lamar into a spot on Colorado State’s roster and was somehow better against stiffer competition. Washington State’s defenders gave him fits to open the season, but beyond that, Moss was near flawless, conceding just one sack on the year.
1) Tiger Shanks, UNLV Rebels
Although he was snubbed from CFN’s 2024 College Football All-Name Team, Tiger Shanks did make our 2023 All-Mountain West second team. The linear growth he’s shown since 2021 is Madden-esque and worthy of praise.
KEEP READING: 2024 Mountain West Power Rankings
He isn’t the most nimble blocker, but at 6’5″ and 325 pounds, he doesn’t need to be. Few rushers can work around him, let alone get through him. And all Shanks has to do is shift his weight forward, and he can create holes in the ground game.
2024 Mountain West OT Rankings | 11-20
11) Teague Andersen, Utah State
12) Jalen St. John, UNLV
13) Chandler Brown, Colorado State
14) Cole Motes, Utah State
15) Ka’ena Decambra, Hawaii
16) Wallace Unamba, New Mexico
17) Christian Jones, San Diego State
18) McKenzie Agnello, New Mexico
19) Frank Poso, Nevada
20) Malik Williams, San Jose State
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!