By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
June 14, 2024
Football is won and lost in the trenches. It doesn’t matter who your quarterback is if your front line can’t block.
That’s a lesson that Colorado learned the hard way last season.
Offensive linemen are not heralded enough and tend to be overlooked by some.
Programs that understand the value of the front five and develop the players on their roster are generally rewarded.
Here’s how I view the Top 12 Offensive Linemen in the SuperWest for the 2024 season.
1. Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
The Oregon senior started all 14 games for the Ducks last season after transferring in from Rhode Island.He helped anchor an offensive line that was No. 1 nationally in sacks allowed per game.
Cornelius allowed zero sacks all season and only gave up 11 total pressures.
2. Jonah Monheim, USC
With 34 starts over his career, Jonah Monheim is a proven vet.The redshirt senior enters his third full year as a starter with experience at multiple positions.
Able to play right tackle or left tackle, the USC captain is transitioning to center for his final season in L.A.
3. Josh Gray, Oregon State
There might not be a more experienced offensive lineman than Oregon State’s Josh Gray.With 44 starts over his career in Corvallis, Gray is one of the top O-Lineman in the country.
After landing a spot on the Pac-12’s Second Team All-Conference list in 2023, look for him to break out in his fifth season of college football.
4. Marcus Harper II, Oregon
There’s a reason why Oregon’s offensive line was so dominant last season.Marcus Harper II started all 14 games at left guard and didn’t give up a sack. He only allowed six pressures all year while playing 749 snaps.
Arguably the most overlooked player on UO’s O-Line, Harper deserves recognition.
5. Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
The 6-foot-5 junior from American Samoa enters his third season as a starter.Starting in all 12 games as a true freshman and all 13 games as a true sophomore, Jonah Savaiinaea is the undisputed anchor of Arizona’s offensive line.
He allowed just two sacks all last year and could find himself coveted by NFL scouts by the end of this season.
6. Michael Mokofisi, Utah
Starting each of the last two seasons at right guard for Utah, Michael Mokofisi has what it takes.He received All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition last year and should be one of the top offensive linemen in the Big 12 this season.
His 26 career starts in 30 games played speaks for itself, especially at a program like Utah.
7. Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
Josh Conerly Jr. started all 14 games at left tackle for Oregon last season.The junior from Seattle should take another step forward in his second year as the starter.
Conerly led UO with 901 offensive snaps played and allowed just one sack all year.
8. Wendell Moe, Arizona
Garnering AP Second-Team All-Pac-12 recognition last year, Wendell Moe enters his redshirt sophomore year under the radar.Expected to play a key role on Arizona’s offensive line, Moe is primed to breakout.
Don’t be surprised when he winds up on an All-Big-12 team at the end of the year.
9. Spencer Fano, Utah
Spencer Fano is an NFL offensive lineman in the making.He started 12 games last season as a true freshman with almost all of those starts coming at left tackle. Remember the name.
Fano is legitimate.
10. Tiger Shanks, UNLV
At 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds, UNLV’s Tiger Shanks might be the top offensive lineman in the Mountain West.Entering his fourth year as the starter, the right tackle anchors the Rebels’ front line and provides the experience needed to lead the team.
11. Victor Stoffel, California
The 6-foot-7 transfer from Temple has 20 starts to his name.A native of Sweden, Victor Stoffel plays right tackle and anchored an Owl offensive line that was No. 6 nationally in sacks allowed per game.
He received All-AAC Honorable Mention recognition last year.
12. Leif Fautanu, Arizona State
Entering his second season in Tempe, Leif Fautanu is the leader of Arizona State’s offensive line.With multiple years of starting experience at UNLV and ASU, Fautanu is seasoned and capable.
Honorable Mention: Raymond Pulido, Arizona
A non-football injury kept Raymond Pulido off the field for part of his true freshman season.
He still managed to start five games and is set to take a leap forward in his first full season.
His decision to stay at Arizona for his sophomore year paves the way for a potentially historic season in Tucson.
-
Week 12 Best in West Men’s Basketball Power Rankings
> Our Dane Miller ranks the Top 10 teams in the region with summary updates for each - January 20, 2025 -
Hungry Wildcats Devouring their Way through Brutal Big 12
> Dane Miller's weekly notes column on the 2024-25 Big 12 men's basketball season - January 17, 2025 -
Week 11 Best in West Men’s Basketball Power Rankings
> Our Dane Miller ranks the Top 10 teams in the region with summary updates for each - January 13, 2025
