Despite a few of the conference’s top offensive tackles — like Louisiana’s Nathan Thomas and Marshall’s Ethan Driskell — leaving for the NFL Draft, most of the Sun Belt’s best OTs are returning to their squads in 2024.
Some are long-time starters, while the rest burst onto the scene after making the most of extended roles last season. Blindside, strong side, either side; let’s look at who reigns supreme in the 2024 Sun Belt OT Rankings.
2024 Sun Belt OT Rankings
10) Thornton Gentry, LT, Appalachian State Mountaineers
The Mountaineers cycled through a couple of different left tackles in the first four games with Jayden Ramsey and Markell Samuel before plugging in and settling on Thornton Gentry. He ended the game of musical chairs and started the next 10 games as Appalachian State went 7-3 with Gentry in the lineup.
With right tackle Jack Murphy also set to return, the Mountaineers have both starting tackles back for 2024.
9) Chris Adams, LT/RT, Old Dominion Monarchs
Chris Adams was the only offensive player who played every snap for the Monarchs, and he did it manning two positions. He started the first four games at right tackle before switching positions to left tackle with Santana Saunders for the last nine.
Listed at 6’6″, 286 pounds, the redshirt junior will likely take over full-time at left tackle, with Saunders also returning to man the right side.
8) George Jackson, RT, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Initially at right guard, George Jackson switched to right tackle during the 2022 season as a redshirt freshman. After one start that season, he started every game at right tackle for the Ragin’ Cajuns last year.
Jackson, listed at 6’5″, 325 pounds, made the most of his extended time, making him a leader on the Ragin’ Cajuns OL for his junior campaign.
7) Jimeto Obigbo, RT, Texas State Bobcats
Jimeto Obigbo was one of five Incarnate Word OL who transferred to Texas State in 2022 when head coach G.J. Kinne arrived, including his twin brother, Emeka Obigbo. Jimeto played in every game, starting 12 at right tackle and one at right guard, playing over 1,000 snaps his first year with the Bobcats.
The Obigbo brothers are seniors now, with Jimeto establishing himself as one of the leaders on the team and in the Sun Belt.
6) Adrien Strickland, RT, South Alabama Jaguars
A day-one starter for the Jaguars coming out of high school in 2022, Adrien Strickland was initially committed to Florida, but his offer was rescinded just before signing day due to a numbers game. South Alabama swooped in and secured a P5-caliber tackle for the foreseeable future.
MORE: 2024 Sun Belt QB Rankings
The 6’6″, 332-pound junior has started every game at right tackle the last two seasons, and he heads into 2024 an elder statesman in the same spot.
5) Tyshawn Wyatt, LT, James Madison Dukes
Tyshawn Wyatt would likely be higher on the Sun Belt OT Rankings had an injury not shortened his season to eight games last year. A three-year starter at 6’4″, 315 pounds, he started all 14 games at left guard in 2021, and all 11 games at left tackle in 2023.
Wyatt is recovering from an undisclosed season-ending injury. Still, he’s one of the few 2023 Dukes not to follow Curt Cignetti to Indiana, so he’ll be back as a senior with a wealth of experience.
4) Nash Jones, LT, Texas State Bobcats
Like Wyatt, Nash Jones is in the top five but could arguably be higher if it weren’t for an injury. Jones broke his ankle in the second game yet managed to return to start the last four, including the First Responders Bowl to end the season.
A three-time All-Southland player at Incarnate Word (2020-2022), the 6’5″, 320-pounder enters his senior season.
3) Nick Del Grande, LT, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
After taking a redshirt as a true freshman in 2022, Nick Del Grande took over at left tackle for the Chanticleers in 2023. He started 12 of 13 games, earning All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention.
The 6’4″, 300-pound sophomore heads into his third season with the Chanticleers as the unquestioned starter.
2) Jack Murphy, RT, Appalachian State Mountaineers
Jack Murphy spent three seasons not playing much at Marshall (2020-2022) before transferring to Appalachian State before last season. He started all 14 games for the Mountaineers his first year in Boone, earning All-Sun Belt Third Team.
Listed at 6’4″, 295 pounds, Murphy still has two seasons left thanks to COVID, and he enters his junior season as the conference’s top right tackle.
1) Makilan Thomas, LT, Arkansas State Red Wolves
Makilan Thomas is a two-year starter at LT for the Red Wolves, but he’s also started at guard and RT in Jonesboro. He started every game for Arkansas State last season, earning All-Sun Belt Second Team after allowing just one sack in 836 snaps played.
KEEP READING: 2024 Sun Belt CB Rankings
At 6’3″, 302 pounds, the versatile big man sits on top of Sun Belt OT Rankings heading into his junior season.
2024 Sun Belt OT Rankings | 11-20
11) Noah Smith, RT/LT, Arkansas State
12) Santana Saunders, RT/LT, ODU
13) Trenton Scott, LT, Texas State
14) Jayden Ramsey, RT, Appalachian State
15) Gabe Cavazos Jr., LT, Southern Miss
16) Loyd Willis, RT, Marshall
17) Malachi Carney, LT, South Alabama
18) Elijah Zollicoffer, LT, Arkansas State
19) Jordan Davis, RT, South Alabama
20) Kyron Barnes, LT, Southern Miss
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