Ranking all 18 Big Ten offensive lines from worst to first

No position on the football field has a greater impact on winning than the offensive line. Even the quarterback, who dominates headlines and the stat sheet, would be hamstrung without a strong group of blockers up front.

Classic Big Ten football, as exemplified by the current-age Iowa Hawkeyes, can still see teams win games without representative quarterback play. Those offensive lines and running backs drive the offense's success, complementing a stout defense and strong special teams.

That is a long way to introduce our final offensive position preview for the fast-approaching 2025 Big Ten football season: the offensive line. It should be no surprise that the conference's projected top teams all rank well at the position, while those predicted to struggle sit near the bottom.

Position Previews: Defense -- Offense -- Quarterbacks -- Running Backs-- Wide Receivers -- Tight Ends

For more on every Big Ten team's outlook at the position, including the most notable offseason transfer additions, here is our ranking of the conference's 18 offensive line units.

18. Maryland Terrapins

Starters: LT Rahtrel Perry (transfer), LG Isaiah Wright, C Michael Hershey, RG Aliou Bah, RT Alan Herron

Maryland struggled along the offensive line last season, to say the least. The team allowed 26 total quarterback sacks and averaged under four yards per carry. Billy Edwards Jr.'s success under center is impressive, considering what he had blocking for him.

The Terrapins should take a minor step forward at the position entering 2025. The group should receive a big boost from Perry, who transfers in from Central Connecticut State after 13 starts in 2024. He chose the Terps after visits to Ohio State, Syracuse, Florida State and Pittsburgh, signaling his ceiling at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.

17. Purdue Boilermakers

Starters: LT Joey Tanona, LG Jalen St. John (transfer), C Giordano Vaccaro (transfer), RG Bradyn Joiner (transfer), RT Jude McCoskey (transfer)

Purdue's offensive line is similar to the rest of its depth chart entering 2025: heavy with transfers. St. John followed head coach Barry Odom from UNLV after an All-Mountain West second-team selection in 2024. Joiner should also provide a boost, moving over from Auburn after making the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2024. Vaccaro and McCoskey are bigger question marks, transferring in from Manitoba (Canada), Auburn and Indiana State, respectively.

As is the case with any transfer-heavy position, it will be hard to predict this group's success until we see it take the field.

16. Michigan State Spartans

Starters: LT Stanton Ramil, LG Kristian Phillips, C Matt Gulbin (transfer), RG Luka Vincic (transfer), RT Conner Moore (transfer)

Michigan State's offensive line struggled last season. The team averaged just 3.5 yards per rush attempt and allowed a whopping 36 quarterback sacks, although quarterback Aidan Chiles' play style should be considered when analyzing that number. Gulbin (Wake Forest), Vincic (Oregon State) and Moore (Montana State) were brought in to reshape the group. The unit has significant questions entering the season.

Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire

15. UCLA Bruins

Starters: LT Courtland Ford (transfer), LG Oluwafunto Akinshilo, C Sam Yoon, RG Julian Armella (transfer), RT Garrett DiGiorgio

Ford (Kentucky) and Armella (Florida State) will be critical to this group's success in 2025. Yoon and DiGiorgio both return after starting in 2024, at least giving the unit some continuity. Expect the group to play a major role in how transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava fares in his first season with the program.

Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire

14. Northwestern Wildcats

Starters: LT Xavior Gray (transfer), LG Martes Lewis (transfer), C Jack Bailey, RG Evan Beerntsen, RT Caleb Tiernan

Northwestern has one of the best linemen in the Big Ten in Tiernan. Next to him, the program welcomes three experienced veterans in Gray (Liberty), Lewis (Minnesota) and Beerntsen (South Dakota State). Northwestern's overall offense may not deliver top-end rushing statistics or point totals. However, if those transfers hit, the team could have a strength up front.

13. USC Trojans

Starters: LT Elijah Paige, LG D.J. Wingfield (transfer), C J'Onre Reed (transfer), RG Alani Noa, RT Tobias Raymond

The biggest question on USC's offense comes along the offensive line. Top guard Emmanuel Pregnon transferred to rival Oregon this offseason, leaving Paige and Noa as the team's only returning starters. Expect this position to decide how we view USC's season, for better or for worse.

Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire

12. Washington Huskies

Starters: LT Carver Willis (transfer), LG Paki Finau, C Landen Hatchett, RG Geirean Hatchett (transfer), RT Drew Azzopardi

Washington brought in several key transfers in Willis (Kansas State) and Hatchett (Oklahoma). It is a strong unit on paper, although questions will exist until the transfers pan out. This line will be blocking for one of the more underrated quarterbacks and offensive skill position corps in the conference. If the offensive line excels, the Huskies could threaten a College Football Playoff bid.

Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire

11. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Starters: LT Tyler Needham, LG Bryan Felter, C Gus Zilinskas, RG Kwabena Asamoah, RT Taj White

Rutgers could be sneaky-strong along the offensive line this season. The program returns a veteran group of three seniors and two juniors. The team did lose standout left tackle Hollin Pierce after the 2024 season, which makes that position a question. Needham, Rutgers' starting right tackle in 2024, will likely fill the vacancy.

10. Wisconsin Badgers

Starters: LT Davis Heinzen (transfer), LG Joe Brunner, C Jake Renfro, RG Kerry Kodanko, RT Riley Mahlman

Wisconsin's offensive line was a strength in 2024, despite the overall offensive unit never delivering consistent points or production. The position held a similar outlook entering 2025 with Mahlman, Brunner and Renfro all back, plus with standout sophomore Kevin Heywood set to take the left tackle job. That outlook changed quickly in the spring when the Badgers lost Heywood to a season-ending injury. Now, a major question exists at left tackle. The team could go with Heinzen (Central Michigan), kick Brunner out to tackle, or side with an inexperienced freshman. Either way, the unit took a major hit with Heywood's injury.

9. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Starters: LT Kahlee Tafai (transfer), LG Greg Johnson, C Ashton Beers, RG Marcellus Marshall (transfer) RT Dylan Ray (transfer)

Minnesota's offensive line was a bit above average in 2024. After losing top tackle Aireontae Ersery to the NFL, the program then bolstered its line with promising transfers in Marshall (UCF), Ray (Kentucky) and Tafai (Washington). This is one of several teams in the conference where offensive line play will be the reason it succeeds or struggles. Redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey needs all the help he can get.

8. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Starters: LT Elijah Pritchett (transfer), LG Henry Lutovsky, C Justin Evans, RG Rocco Spindler (transfer), RT Tyler Knaak

Nebraska returns its starting center in Evans, plus welcomes in two impact transfers in Spindler (Notre Dame) and Pritchett (Alabama). The overall group has a ton of college experience. With new faces in important positions, it just needs to mesh.

Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire

7. Indiana Hoosiers

Starters: LT Carter Smith, LG Drew Evans, C Pat Coogan (transfer), RG Bray Lynch, RT Zen Michalski (transfer)

Indiana notched a major transfer recruiting win with Coogan's addition. He played in 30 total games (26 starts) over four seasons at Notre Dame. He and Michalski are tasked with replacing two of the Big Ten's best from last season in Mike Katic and Trey Wedig, respectively.

6. Michigan Wolverines

Starters: LT Evan Link, LG Giovanni El-Hadi, C Greg Crippen, RG Nathan Efobi, RT Andrew Sprague

Michigan is one of several programs that deserves the benefit of the doubt at the position. While the program is still working to return to its 2021-23 level, its year-in, year-out floor is as high as any. The Wolverines return the entire left side of their line from last year. New starters Efobi and Sprague will be worth watching when the season kicks off.

Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire

5. Ohio State Buckeyes

Starters: LT Ethan Onianwa (transfer), LG Luke Montgomery, C Carson Hinzman, RG Tegra Tshabola, RT Austin Siereveld

Ohio State sees some turnover along the offensive line entering 2025. It has new starters at left tackle, right tackle and center -- arguably the three most important positions. Rice transfer Onianwa's play will be critical to whether the Buckeyes can make another deep CFP run.

Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire

4. Oregon Ducks

Starters: LT Isaiah World (transfer), LG Emmanuel Pregnon (transfer), C Iapani Laloulu, RG Matthew Bedford, RT Alex Harkey (transfer)

World (Nevada) and Pregnon (USC) are two top transfer additions, ranked No. 1 and No. 3 at their positions, respectively. World was slotted as a five-star transfer prospect and the No. 2 overall player in the portal. This unit has as much talent as any in the conference. It could rise to No. 1 if the transfers click.

Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire

3. Illinois Fighting Illini

Starters: LT J.C. Davis, LG Josh Gesky, C Josh Kreutz, RG Brandon Henderson, RT Melvin Priestly

Illinois is in a rare position entering 2025: it returns its entire starting offensive line from last season. In college football, experience, past success and overall continuity tend to lead to future success. Illinois' offensive line has all of that entering 2025. This unit is one reason for the team's sky-high expectations.

2. Iowa Hawkeyes

Starters: LT Jack Dotzler, LG Beau Stephens, C Logan Jones, RG Kade Pieper, RT Gennings Dunker

First off, Iowa is still Iowa. While the line must replace standout left tackle Mason Richman, who was selected during the NFL draft, it is close to a factory at that position. Returning starters Stephens, Jones and Dunker all have a ton of experience. The latter is also on a shortlist for the best right tackle in the conference.

Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire

1. Penn State Nittany Lions

Starters: LT Drew Shelton, LG Olaivavega Ioane, C Nick Dawkins, RG Cooper Cousins, RT Nolan Rucci

Penn State is projected as one of the best teams in college football for a reason. It is terrific everywhere on offense -- quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receiver and, last but not least, offensive line. Rucci, a former five-star recruit, is set to take the full-time right tackle job after performing well in limited action last season. This group has the talent and experience to end the year as one of the best lines in the sport.

Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Power ranking all 18 Big Ten offensive lines from worst to first