The college football transfer portal has become a key part of roster construction for the 133 FBS teams, and offensive linemen are helping shape trench warfare for the new season. Ahead of spring practices, we take a look at some of the top offensive linemen transfers that could make an immediate impact in 2023.
Offensive Linemen Transfers To Have the Most Impact in 2023
LaDarius Henderson, Michigan
With consecutive Joe Moore Awards and multiple individual honors last season, Michigan has become the destination for offensive linemen transfers. Two make their way from the Pac-12 this offseason, with Myles Hinton arriving in from Stanford and LaDarius Henderson spurning the NFL draft to transfer from Arizona State.
For me, Henderson has the potential to make the biggest impact in Ann Arbor. The 6’5″, 310-pound offensive lineman boasts impressive length, which he uses to be a dominating figure at the heart of the line. He’s powerful with a mauler mentality but also has a stellar athletic profile that makes him a well-rounded acquisition for the Wolverines.
Jacob Hood, Nebraska
Matt Rhule returns to college football with Nebraska, but it’s the hire of offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield that is set to shape the Cornhuskers’ offensive identity this fall. The former South Carolina OC has spoken about a “position-less” offense that features fullbacks and the desire to run the ball more than we saw in Mark Whipple’s short reign as the OC in Lincoln.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
His philosophy requires consistent offensive line play, and thankfully for Satterfield, the Huskers landed one of the top offensive linemen transfers in Jacob Hood. At 6’8″ and 350 pounds, Hood is a mountain in pass protection and a roadblock in the run game. Importantly for Nebraska, his high school tape showcased his ability to get out to the second level well in the ground game.
Clark Barrington, Baylor
Offensive line coaches don’t come much better than Eric Mateos. When entering the transfer portal at the end of the 2022 college football season, Clark Barrington jumped at the opportunity to be reunited with a man that was responsible for the success of the BYU offensive line in 2019 and 2020 — Barrington’s first two collegiate seasons.
In that final season together, Barrington earned second-team All-Independent honors, while the BYU line as a whole was named a Joe Moore Award semifinalist. Giving up just two sacks in his BYU career, Barrington’s explosive, aggressive, but technically savvy play style — combined with reuniting with his former coach — make him an easy selection as one of the top offensive line transfers.
Walter Rouse, Oklahoma
In 2019, Walter Rouse was just a skinny three-star offensive tackle prospect out of Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC. Four years later, he’s an experienced, 6’6″, 318-pound monster of a left tackle whose transfer to Oklahoma should be considered one of the best at the position. With Wanya Morris and Anton Harrison heading to the NFL, Rouse should be a Day 1 starter.
The new addition in Norman was just the second true freshman since 2000 to start at left tackle for Stanford. He boasts good grip strength, high football IQ, quick feet, and has the nasty disposition that’s a requisite for offensive tackle success. Partnering with renowned offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh should unlock his full potential as a dominant left tackle in college football this fall.
Tommy Brockermeyer, TCU
One of the crown jewels of the 2021 recruiting class, Tommy Brockermeyer leaves Alabama having seen action in just two games as a result of an injury in his freshman season. His transfer to TCU ensures that the heavily-recruited offensive tackle returns home to Fort Worth, where he’ll be a key part of the Horned Frogs’ attempts to return to the Big 12 Championship Game and CFB Playoffs.
Although he hasn’t had the opportunity to truly showcase it at the college level, Brockermyer has all the athletic and technical tools to be one of the top offensive linemen transfers. He boasts excellent size, his high school tape showcases some impressive technical understanding of the position, and he’s a mobile offensive lineman who has the flexibility to play low while being powerful.
Marques Cox, Kentucky
The Kentucky offensive line struggled last fall, and while it didn’t appear to dampen Will Levis‘ NFL draft stock, there will need to be significant improvements this season if new quarterback Devin Leary is to have a successful season with the Wildcats. Bringing in one of the top offensive linemen transfers in the shape of Northern Illinois standout Marques Cox should go a long way to help.
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A former three-star offensive tackle prospect out of Peoria, Illinois, Cox has been the cornerstone of the Northern Illinois offensive line since 2019, having redshirted in 2018. His combination of size, strength, and mobility helped the Huskies produce a ferocious ground game and formidable air attack that led to a MAC title in 2021. He’ll likely be the Day 1 starter at LT for the Wildcats this fall.
Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
Despite being underrecruited coming out of high school, Ajani Cornelius established himself as one of the top offensive linemen transfers this offseason after two years dominating defenses for the University of Rhode Island. His 25 offers — including from high-profile programs such as Ohio State, Nebraska, and Tennessee — speak to the impact the first-team All-CAA player can make.
At 6’4″ and 315 pounds, Cornelius has good size weaponized by impressive length. He’s an explosive blocker who has the flexibility to sink his hips and drive opponents out of the way in the run game. For a player who hasn’t played at the highest level, there’s also an elevated technical ability to his game. With almost all the O-line departed, Cornelius should start in his first season in Eugene.
Rusty Staats, Texas Tech
After redshirting his initial season with Western Kentucky, Rusty Staats established himself as an integral part of a Hilltoppers offense that exploded into life behind Bailey Zappe in 2021. He earned an All-Conference USA Honorable Mention for his performances on an offensive line that only allowed 17 sacks all season.
Staats’ transfer to the Texas Tech Red Raiders reunites him with Zak Kittley, his head coach for that successful 2021 campaign. While that alone should ensure that the former Western Kentucky center establishes himself as one of the top offensive linemen transfers, he’s an explosive center who boasts good footwork and has been a consistent force as a pass protector.
Micah Mazzccua, Florida
Florida has done an excellent job using transfers to bolster their line under head coach Billy Napier. O’Cyrus Torrence followed Napier to the Gators and established himself as a potential first-round draft pick by dominating in the SEC. Baylor guard Micah Mazzccua should fill Torrence’s shoes following his transfer.
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For me, Mazzccua was comfortably one of the top offensive linemen transfers this offseason. The former Baylor OL was one of the best guards in all of college football last fall. He’s an explosive athlete who moves easily to the second level while having the requisite people-moving skills to add significant value to Florida’s run game. Watch Trevor Etienne dominate behind their new starting left guard.
Kyle Hergel, Boston College
Let’s be honest, it’s not difficult to improve on something that was so terrible last season. The Boston College offensive line was admittedly riddled with injuries and had to rely on a lot of inexperienced pieces last fall. Adding one of the top offensive linemen transfers this offseason will go a long way to ensuring Emmett Morehead’s security in a critical year for Jeff Hafley.
Although former Texas State guard Kyle Hergel isn’t the biggest guard at 6’2″ and 300 pounds, he plays much larger than his size. He’s a nasty blocker who plays with violence in his heart and hands. Furthermore, he’s an intriguing athlete who boasts a high football IQ. Hergel and Christian Mahogany combine to be one of the top guard duos in the ACC in 2023.
