At the FCS level, having an elite offensive tackle is a luxury – and these programs have some good ones.
Whether they are tackles, guards, or centers – or they’re starting as tackles this year out of team need but are more naturally suited interior linemen – HERO Sports is going to spotlight one per conference who has committed to returning to the FCS level. Check out our interior linemen piece, also.
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Here are still several OT studs preparing for FCS football this fall. Take a look, conference by conference:
RELATED: Best Returning FCS Interior OL
BIG SKY
Marcus Wehr, Montana State, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: Started all 12 games he played in for the Bobcats
Wehr is coveted by pro scouts as a potential interior lineman, or tackle – take your pick for this versatile lineman. Being versatile is a coveted trait in the pro ranks. PFF, the well-respected scouting agency, likes Wehr as the No. 1 rated Division I offensive tackle. He’s an in-state product, which is also a big deal to Montana natives. Among other Big Sky talents, Montana’s Brandon Casey is a massive candidate for this spot (NOTE: We had Sacramento State’s Jackson Slater in our interior lineman piece, as he is highly respected as a guard prospect but can play many positions up front).
BIG SOUTH-OVC
Gareth Warren, Lindenwood, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: Warren is expected to be a top lineman after an all-conference 2023
Warren has been a big contributor to Lindenwood’s recent move from the Division II ranks to being a solid program in the FCS. The season-opening game against Kansas will provide a big opportunity for Warren to prove himself.
CAA
Ozzie Hutchinson, UAlbany, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: Played in all 14 games in UAlbany’s best season in school history
Hutchinson was a key contributor as the Great Danes went 11-4 last year, put the scare into two FBS opponents (Marshall and Hawaii), and won seven games in a row before running into the buzzsaw that is known as South Dakota State. He will be a leader this year for UAlbany.
IVY
Delby Lemieux, Dartmouth, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: Started the last 7 games of the season
Lemieux was an All-Ivy League performer for the co-conference champion Big Green. He was listed as an honorable mention player as a sophomore in 2023 and obviously has a lot of football ahead.
MEAC
Cam Johnson, South Carolina State, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: All-MEAC performer for the Bulldogs in 2023
Johnson has been a key contributor for two seasons, playing in 15 games and being named by most media outlets as a Second Team All-MEAC player.
MVFC
Jared Penning, Northern Iowa, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: A pro prospect and named All-American by several outlets
Let’s face it, several individuals could fit this spot. The Missouri Valley Football Conference prides itself in black-and-blue football starting with the big guys up front, most of which come from that part of the country. Penning fits that narrative perfectly, but don’t forget stars like Hunter Zambrano at Illinois State, Grey Zabel and Mason Miller at North Dakota State, and many others.
NEC
Tim Suk, Sacred Heart, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: A Second Team All-NEC performer
Sacred Heart is an FCS independent this fall, but was an NEC member last year.
Suk stands 6-foot-8 and could be very interesting to keep an eye on this fall in terms of how scouts view him. He picked up postseason accolades in 2023 and is expected to be one of the Pioneers’ top contributors.
PATRIOT
Ryder Langsdale, Lafayette, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: Started every game at left tackle
Langsdale was named a Second Team All-Patriot League performer last fall and helped pave the way for one of the nation’s top running backs in Jamar Curtis. Well, Curtis is back, and so is Langsdale, and he’ll also be on hand to protect the quarterback, obviously. At 6-foot-7, his athleticism earlier in his college career warranted a switch from a potential defensive lineman to being an O-tackle.
PIONEER
Alec Rasmussen, St. Thomas (MN), Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: Was selected a Phil Steele First Team All-Pioneer League player
For the past two seasons, Rasmussen has been a key cog in the St. Thomas offense. He started all 11 games in 2023 for the Tommies and played more than 90 percent of the offensive snaps.
SOCON
Quincy Hughes, Wofford, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: Started 9 games at left tackle for the Terriers
In a conference that features a lot of strong interior linemen coming back, Hughes is clearly one of the best SoCon offensive tackle tackles returning in 2024.
SOUTHLAND
Jhy Orgeron, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: Two-year starter at tackle
Orgeron became the Lions’ starting left tackle early in the 2022 season and he hasn’t looked back since then. He’s been an All-Southland Conference selection and played in nine games as a reserve in 2021. In the stellar 2022 season (9-4 record), Orgeron helped Southeastern Louisiana gain nearly 400 yards per contest.
SWAC
Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: All-Conference performer in 2023
Vinson, who stands 6-foot-6, 305 pounds, has caught the eye of pro scouts and will be watched closely this fall. He will get a chance to show how good he is individually against Auburn in Week One.
UAC
Payton Collins, Eastern Kentucky, Grad.
2023 STAT LINE: Has started more than 40 career games at EKU
Collins (6-foot-7, 301 pounds) was a massive reason for EKU’s offensive success in 2023, as the Colonels put up 437.4 yards per game, tops in the UAC. He began his career as a HERO Sports Freshman All-American in 2021 and hasn’t let up since then. Keep a close eye on this pro prospect in 2024.
