The Top 25s are coming in hot as the 2022 FCS season nears.
While what happens on the field and how things finish at the end of the season is what really matters, preseason rankings give fans an idea of what teams and players they should keep an eye on. In this summer series, we’ll take the Top 25 approach and rank the best returning players at every position.
Next up are the offensive linemen.
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Best Returning OL
Honorable Mention: Eastern Washington’s Wyatt Musser, Holy Cross’ Luke Newman, Incarnate Word’s Nash Jones, Jackson State’s Tony Gray, Kennesaw State’s Zion Katina, Missouri State’s Landon Bebee, Davidson’s Cole Foley, Montana’s Hunter Mayginnes, Murray State’s Levi Nesler, Nicholls’ Evan Roussel, Princeton’s Henry Byrd, Sac State’s Brandon Weldon, UC Davis’ Connor Pettek, Youngstown State’s Jaison Williams
25. Colby Byrd, Norfolk State
24. Jalen Sundell, North Dakota State
23. Phil Saleh, Fordham
22. Nick Olsofka, Holy Cross
21. Jake Parks, UC Davis
20. Anderson Tomlin, Furman
19. Justin Szuba, Monmouth
18. Michael Gerace, Maine
17. Colin Gamroth, Villanova
16. Tyler McLellan, Campbell
15. Tavon Matthews, East Tennessee State
14. Colby Sorsdal, William & Mary
13. Nash Jensen, North Dakota State
12. Noah Atagi, Weber State
11. Nick Correia, Rhode Island
10. Alex Jensen, South Dakota
9. Kyle Nunez, Stony Brook
8. Mark Evans II, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
7. Jaylin Hendrix, Central Arkansas
6. Michael Corbi, Villanova
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The Top 5
5. Garret Greenfield, South Dakota State
The 6-foot-6, 295-pound tackle was dominant in the spring, earning six First Team All-American accolades. Greenfield then started all 15 games last fall as SDSU advanced to the semifinals. The Jacks have four players in the Top 34 of Josh Buchanan’s 2023 Top 100 Small School Prospects (not including junior TE and 2023 pro prospect Tucker Kraft) and three in the Top 11, including Greenfield at No. 11.
4. Matthan Hatchie, UT Martin
Hatchie has quickly become a top FCS offensive lineman after transferring to UT Martin from Garden City Community College before the 2020-21 season. The 6-foot-2, 310-pound Hawaii native was named to the All-OVC Second Team in the spring after playing every offensive snap and tallying 60 knockdowns in seven games. Hatchie took another step and was a force last season at his center position. He allowed just one sack and graded out at 89 percent or more in every game, recording 101 knockdowns. Hatchie earned All-Conference First Team honors and was named a Stats Perform Second Team All-American.
3. Mason McCormick, South Dakota State
McCormick sets the physical tone from his left guard spot and has become a top-tier FCS offensive lineman. The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder has started 27 consecutive games entering 2022 with starts dating back to 2019. McCormick has arguably been the top OL on a standout SDSU o-line. He is a back-to-back HERO Sports First Team All-American and has earned multiple preseason First Team All-American nods already this summer.
2. McClendon Curtis, Chattanooga
Chattanooga OG Cole Strange was selected in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft by New England. The Mocs will very likely have another draft pick in 2023 with Curtis. Josh Buchanan ranks him the No. 5 pro prospect in the FCS. A massive 6-foot-6 and 328 pounds, he moves well for his size and dominates at the point of attack. PFF graded him the No. 2 FCS offensive guard last season right behind Strange with an 84.2 grade. A three-year starter and back-to-back First Team All-SoCon selection, Curtis will get a lot of preseason All-American love this summer.
1. Cody Mauch, North Dakota State
Mauch turned into an elite offensive lineman last fall as part of NDSU’s dominating o-line. The 6-foot-6, 303-pounder was the 11th-highest-graded offensive tackle by PFF in all of Division 1 football at 88.9 and the fourth-highest among FCS tackles behind 2022 NFL Draft picks Trevor Penning (UNI), Braxton Jones (SUU), and Bison teammate Cordell Volson. He earned All-American honors from the Associated Press (Second Team) and HERO Sports (Third Team) and was named to the All-MVFC First Team. Mauch looks to be NDSU’s next high draft pick. Draft Scout’s updated 2023 Top 150 ranks him the No. 112 overall prospect with a third-to-fourth round projection.
