Blaylock, Baker top preseason OL rankingsBy Todd McShayScouts Inc.Texas' Justin Blaylock has an impressive r?sum?. USC's Sam Baker has stepped out of the shadows. Oregon State's Jeremy Perry is ready to make his mark. Take a look at the preseason rankings for the nation's top returning offensive linemen. 1. Justin Blaylock (Tackle), Texas, SR, 6-foot-4, 328 poundsBlalock lacks ideal athleticism and also has room to improve from a footwork standpoint, which could keep him out of the first round of next year's NFL draft. Purely from a college football perspective, though, Blalock boasts an incomparable r?sum?. Entering his senior season, the Longhorns' mammoth right tackle already has 30 consecutive starts, two first-team All-Big 12 awards and one national championship under his belt. 2. Sam Baker (T), USC, JR, 6-5, 311Baker has been overshadowed by older USC standouts such as Winston Justice (Eagles, second round), Deuce Lutui (Cardinals, third round) and Fred Matua (Lions, seventh round). It was evident last year, however, that the left tackle emerged as the best of the bunch. Baker hasn't rested on his laurels, either. He hit the weights hard in the offseason and has bulked up to 311 pounds. A bigger, more explosive Baker could be scary in 2006. 3. Levi Brown (T), Penn State, SR, 6-5, 326Brown still has room to improve in terms of technique, but few offensive linemen in the country boast a more impressive combination of size, agility and strength. After anchoring the Penn State offensive front for a fourth consecutive season, Brown could become the first offensive lineman selected in the 2007 NFL draft. 4. Ryan Kalil (Center), USC, SR, 6-3, 296Kalil has been the point man for a dominant Trojans offensive line the past two seasons and carries a 26-game starting streak into his senior year. His impeccable technique, quickness and explosive short-area power combine to make the center a special player. With added bulk and strength from offseason training, Kalil should remain one of the elite centers in college football and earn first-team All-Pac-10 honors for the second year in a row. 5. Joe Thomas (T), Wisconsin, SR, 6-8, 303After the the Badgers tried Thomas as a tight end and defensive lineman, he found a home at left offensive tackle in 2004. Since then, Thomas has started 25 consecutive games and has developed into one of the most athletic and efficient offensive linemen in the country. Unfortunately, Thomas suffered a torn left ACL while filling in along the defensive line during Wisconsin's Capital One Bowl victory over Auburn. While his recovery is ahead of schedule, it still remains to be seen if Thomas can return to form as a senior this fall. 6. Dan Mozes ?, West Virginia, SR, 6-4, 300Mozes made a seamless transition from guard to center in 2005, earning first-team All-Big East and second-team All-America honors. Few play the game with as much intensity, toughness and instincts, which is why Mozes has been able to maximize his physical tools to this point. Mozes did miss spring practice while recovering from shoulder surgery, but he is expected to be ready by the open of summer camp in Morgantown. 7. Arron Sears (T), Tennessee, SR, 6-4, 336Sears is not considered an overwhelming force as a blocker, but his combination of outstanding size, agility and technique are what make him such an effective offensive lineman at the collegiate level. Adding value to Sears' profile is his versatility. He has experience at both tackle and both guard positions along the Vols' offensive line. 8. Mark Fenton ?, Colorado, SR, 6-4, 300Since Fenton was handed the Buffs' center job in 2004, he has started all 25 games. He lacks elite athletic ability but more than makes up for it with his bullish strength and nasty disposition. Colorado is faced with the challenge of breaking in a new starting quarterback in Dan Hawkins' first season as head coach, but having Fenton as a personal protector should help the transition. 9. Kyle Young ?, Fresno State, SR, 6-4, 322Young is a bit of an untraditional center with decent mobility but massive size and imposing strength. Over the course of his 39 consecutive starts, Young has proven to be a savvy, feisty and durable anchor for coach Pat Hill's proficient offensive line. 10. Jeremy Perry (Guard), Oregon State, SO, 6-2, 310Perry is unfamiliar to most college football fans because he was only a freshman last season. He has overwhelming strength as a run blocker and is efficient in pass protection. League coaches voted Perry the Pac-10 Co-Freshman of the Year in 2005. In time, Perry will carve his mark as one of the premier interior offensive linemen in the nation.The next best 15:11. Kasey Studdard, G, Texas, senior12. Jake Long, T, Michigan, junior13. Barry Richardson, T, Clemson, junior14. Doug Free, T, Northern Illinois, senior15. Josh Beekman, G, Boston College, senior16. Will Arnold, G, LSU, junior17. Dustin Fry, C, Clemson, senior18. Max Unger, T, Oregon, sophomore19. Samson Satele, G, Hawaii, senior20. Lyle Sendlein, C, Texas, senior21. Ryan Harris, T, Notre Dame, senior22. Manuel Ramirez, G, Texas Tech, senior23. Mike Jones, T, Iowa, senior24. Duane Brown, T, Virginia Tech, junior25. Jared Gaither, T, Maryland, sophomore <span style="color:#6600CC">Wow. Kinda weird to not see a Minnesota guy in there. Ben Hamilton, Greg Eslinger, Mark Setterstrom....</span>
That is the only ranking I've seen with Sam Baker ahead of Joe Thomas. And, Baker is still isn't #1, even with Joe Thomas out of the picture. Justin Blalock is ahead of him too (and Blalock is 6-6, not 6-4).
Being a massive Badger fan for obvious reasons, I would rank Thomas at #1.He rarely allows the defensive end even close to QB John Stocco and is a great blindside protector.
