Top 5 SEC Offensive Guards 2017: Alabama’s Ross Pierschbacher, Georgia’s Dyshon Sims

If you're a diehard SEC football fan, you know how critical every position is. If you have a subpar guard? Good luck with those defensive linemen and linebackers, right? Ineffective defensive end? Good luck stopping the edge run game or keeping pressure on the quarterback.

Every position is crucial.

So today, we take a look at the top offensive guards in the SEC — and there are a bunch of them. Who are the guys who make the key block after pulling? The cerebral types who are the quarterbacks of the line? And who holds their own when that defensive onslaught the SEC is known for comes at them full rush? 

RELATED: Ranking the top centers in the SEC

HERO Sports will break down every position and let you know what we think. 

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1. ROSS PIERSCHBACHER, JR. — ALABAMA

THE SKINNY: Pierschbacher (6-3/305) has been on the "radar screen" since being recognized as one of the top high school rising junior prospects in the nation back in 2012. He has lived up to the billing and has been a stout part of the Crimson Tide offensive line for two seasons. He has started at left guard for two seasons but also has the potential to play at the center position, showing his versatility. A freshman all-american in 2015, he got off on the right foot.

STATS: As a redshirt junior, he has started all 30 games he has played at in his career.

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2. DYSHON SIMS, SR. — GEORGIA

THE SKINNY: Sims (6-3/295) has been a solid contributor for three seasons, including being a part-time starter last year while playing in all 13 games — but this could be the breakout seasons for this left guard. He played his high school ball in one of the best high school football towns in the country – Valdosta.

STATS: Has played in 29 games for the Bulldogs over the past three seasons. Played extensively even as a true freshman in 2014.

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3. CORY HELMS, SR. — SOUTH CAROLINA 

THE SKINNY: Helms (6-4/305) began his college career at Wake Forest and started 11 games at the center position way back in 2013. He played two years with the Demon Deacons before sitting out the 2015 season after transferring to play for the Gamecocks in the SEC. He is a versatile lineman who obviously can switch between the guard and center position. He was a freshman all-american in 2013.

STATS: Helms has started 31 career games on the offensive line, when Wake Forest and South Carolina are combined.

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4. MAEA TEUHEMA, JR. — LSU 

THE SKINNY: Teuhema (6-4/315) was a true freshman all-american in 2015 and hasn't stopped since then. He registered 63 knockdown blocks in a little over 700 snaps that year and continued his dominance the next season. His brother Sione also originally signed to play ball for the Tigers, but has since transferred to the FCS level. Both Teuhema brothers were originally committed to Texas before LSU swayed them away.

STATS: Has started 21 out of 24 career games for the Tigers, and still has two to go. 

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5. HJALTE FROHOLDT, JR. — ARKANSAS

THE SKINNY: Froholdt (6-3/320) actually played in 10 games as a defensive tackle in 2015, registering three tackles … but the next spring he was shifted over to the offensive side of the line and didn't disappoint. A native of Denmark, he has had no problem playing SEC football, starting at guard last fall. He originally played a year of high school football in Ohio as an exchange student, catching the eye of Bret Bielema when he was still at Wisconsin. 

STATS: Started all 13 games at guard last year for the Razorbacks after moving over from the defensive line in spring ball.

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Here's a look at the next batch of great offensive guards in the SEC: