Ranking all 18 Big Ten offensive lines heading into 2025

The Big Ten has a long and storied history of producing offensive line talent, with many of the schools priding themselves on their ability to develop players in the trenches. Given the physical style of play, it's tough for any team to find success in conference play without a strong offensive line.

Here's a look at the top units in the Big Ten entering the 2025 season.

18. UCLA

UCLA ranked dead last in the conference and third worst in the country last season with 86.6 rushing yards per game on 3.1 yards per carry. The Bruins also surrendered nearly three sacks per game, showing a lack of success in run blocking and pass protection. UCLA brought in tackle Courtland Ford from Kentucky and guard Julian Armella from Florida State, but neither brings proven production.

17. Purdue

The Boilermakers are expected to start four transfers along the offensive line, hoping to turn around an offense that ranked among the worst nationally in 2024. Joey Tanona is expected to take over at left tackle with no previous starting experience, while Jalen St. John arrives after starting at left tackle for UNLV last season. Giordano Vaccaro arrives from Canada as the expected center, while guard Bradyn Joiner arrives with limited experience from Auburn and Jude McCoskey enters after playing at Indiana State last season. Though the room features new faces, none have proven to be major upgrades and it's possible they don't mesh in 2025.

16. Maryland

It's the same old story for Maryland, which has been able to recruit well at skill positions but can't seem to recruit talent in the trenches. The Terrapins ranked third-lowest in the conference in rushing yards last season and didn't make any splashy additions in the transfer portal, though they do return full-time starters at right guard and right tackle.

15. Michigan State

Michigan State struggled in both the run and pass game last season, emblematic of its offensive line struggled. The Spartans brought in three transfers - Matt Gulbin from Wake Forest, Luke Vincic from Oregon State and and Conner Moore from Montana State, but the overall unit lacks starpower and proven success.

14. Washington

The Huskies struggled to run the ball last season and ranked among the worst power conference teams with 3.0 sacks allowed per game. They added Carver Willis from Kansas State and Geirean Hatchett from Oklahoma, but it likely won't be enough for a significant improvement in 2025.

13. Wisconsin

Wisconsin's offensive line hasn't been as dominant since Luke Fickell took over as head coach, and the Badgers lost their best player, Joe Huber, to the NFL this offseason. The one bright spot for Wisconsin is the addition of Central Michigan transfer Davis Heinzen, who amassed 36 consecutive starts with the Chippewas.

12. Minnesota

Minnesota averaged just 3.7 yards per carry last season despite having talented running back Darius Taylor, highlighting the issues of the offensive line. The Golden Gophers brought in first-team All-MAC guard Marcellus Marshall from UCF and tackles Dylan Ray from Kentucky and Kahlee Tafai from Washington to alleviate some issues, but much of their success depends on how well the new pieces mesh.

11. Northwestern

Northwestern's offensive line was below average last season, but the Wildcats revamped the room with three transfers - tackle Xavior Gray, who was first-team All-Conference USA at Liberty, guard Martes Lewis, previously in a rotational role at Minnesota, and Evan Beerntsen, who was first-team All-MVFC at South Dakota State. The hope is the newcomers can carry that success into the Big Ten and provide a boost for what was the second-worst rushing offense last season.

10. USC

The Trojans lost their top offensive lineman - guard Emmanuel Pregnon - to rival Oregon via the transfer portal this offseason. On the flip side, they brought in DJ Wingfield from Purdue and center J'Onre Reed from Syracuse, who both have plenty of starting experience. Left tackle Elijah Paige and guard Alani Noa also return after starting last season, giving head coach Lincoln Riley a veteran group.

9. Rutgers

Rutgers' projected offensive line features three redshirt seniors and a pair of redshirt juniors. All five players - left tackle Tyler Needham, left guard Bryan Felter, center Guz Zilinskas, right guard Kwabena Asamoa and right tackle Taj White - have multiple starts under their belt. Though it wasn't a dominant unit last season, the continuity and experience are important factors.

8. Nebraska

Nebraska's offensive line received an influx of talent from a pair of transfers this offseason. Guard Rocco Spindler arrives after four seasons at Notre Dame, including 23 starts, and tackle Elijah Pritchett transfers in following three seasons at Alabama, Additionally, Justin Evans is likely to retain his role at center, giving the Cornhuskers linemen with key experience against tough competition.

7. Michigan

Michigan's offensive line has taken a couple of steps back from the national championship season but will still have some talented pieces in 2025. Tackle Evan Link, guard Giovanni El-Hadi and center Greg Crippen all return after combining for 32 starts last season, providing some continuity. The right side of the line may prove to be a weakness, though, with no proven commodities in the mix. The Wolverines' track record indicates these players will develop, but none have proven to be standouts at this point.

6. Indiana

Indiana landed a major transfer when it pried center Pat Coogan away from in-state rival Notre Dame. Coogan started 26 games across four seasons with the Fighting Irish and his arrival will make a major impact after the Hoosiers lost third-team All-Big Ten center Mike Katic this offseason. Additionally, all five projected starters have at least three full seasons of college experience under their belts, making this one of the most experienced groups in the country.

5. Ohio State

Ohio State lost its center and both tackles to the NFL this offseason, requiring some rebuilding heading into next season. The Buckeyes brought in transfer tackle Ethan Onianwa, who spent four seasons at Rice and was the full-time starter for three of them. Carson Hinzman, who started at center two seasons ago, will likely return to that role in 2025 while right guard Tegra Tshabola is back after starting every game last season. The other positions pose question marks, but the Buckeyes should once again have one of the better offensive lines in the conference.

4. Illinois

The Fighting Illini return their entire starting offensive line from a squad that went 10-3 last season, which was capped off with a win over South Carolina and its talented defensive line in the Citrus Bowl. Tackle J.C. Davis was the only player to earn All-Big Ten honors, landing on the third team as voted by coaches. Despite the lack of elite individual talent, the unit plays well collectively and allowed Illinois to post double-digit wins for the first time since 2001.

3. Iowa

The Hawkeyes have one of the best centers in the nation in Logan Jones, who's projected as a day two pick in the 2026 NFL draft. He opted to return after earning first-team All-Big Ten honors (media). Right tackle Gennings Dunker also returns after earning a spot on the all-conference second-team (coaches) last year. Additionally, left guard Beau Stephens is back after starting 12 games last season. The Hawkeyes' wealth of experience on the line makes for one of the top units in the conference.

2. Penn State

The Nittany Lions have talent across the board, with left tackle Drew Shelton and guard Vega Ioane earning buzz for the 2026 NFL draft. Penn State has two experienced starters at right tackle, after Anthony Donkoh started the 2024 season and Nolan Rucci finished it following an injury. Nick Dawkins returns for his second year starting at center, and star sophomore Cooper Cousins has impressed in limited time and will be hard to keep off the field. Though Penn State may lack the high-end star power of Oregon, there's not one weak spot across the line.

1. Oregon

The Ducks have sent several elite prospects to the NFL in recent years, and that trend will likely continue after 2025. Though the offensive line lost some talent from last year's conference championship squad, Oregon hit the portal hard and brought in two offensive linemen with first-round potential. After four seasons at Nevada, Isaiah World arrives to take over at left tackle, while Emmanuel Pregnon will slot in next to him at left guard after arriving from rival USC. Iapani Laloulu is also viewed as one of the best centers in the nation and returns after starting all 14 games for the Ducks last season.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Big Ten offensive line rankings