One player every SEC football offensive line needs to break out in 2026

The offensive line is the most unique position on the football field. Not only does it require talent, but it requires a mix of technique and chemistry that's hard to find. Five players have to be in lockstep, and one weak link can sink the entire group.

2025 was a down year for offensive line play in the SEC. Six teams averaged less than four yards per carry. Teams that were expected to be strong up front, like Texas and Florida, averaged less than 4.5 yards per carry.

Today, we'll be looking at one key leverage point for every offensive line in the SEC. These are players that, if they put it together, can elevate their respective offensive lines. For some OLs, that means going from good to elite. For others, it means going from bad to average.

Some of the leverage points were included because they were the weak link last year. Others are on here because they were already good, but have a chance to carry the group if another step is taken. Let's jump in.

Georgia Bulldogs : Juan Gaston, Right Tackle

Juan Gaston enters his sophomore campaign after signing with Georgia as a four-star in 2025. Coming out of high school, Gaston was the No. 62-ranked recruit in the country and No. 4 at his position. Gaston is massive, standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing well over 300 pounds, which allowed him to step right in and play right away, earning a start in the season opener last Fall.

Gaston looked like a freshman at times last year. He wasn't polished, but UGA stuck with him. That experience will prove to be beneficial this year as Gaston is set to be Georgia's starting right tackle. UGA's OL figures to be one of the best in the nation -- if Gaston puts it together, it could be the best.

Georgia has veteran Earnest Greene III starting at left tackle. A Gaston breakout would solidify UGA's tackle duo.

Texas Longhorns: Brandon Baker, Right Guard

Expectations were high for the Texas OL entering 2025. Baker, a blue-chip recruit, was expected to break out at right tackle. That's not how it played out. Baker, like much of the Longhorns' offensive line, was inconsistent. Now, Baker moves inside to guard and gets another shot at the breakout campaign.

I feel good about Texas' tackles. Trevor Goosby and Wake Forest transfer Melvin Siani are dependable. But if Baker emerges as a top-notch guard, like his talent level suggests he could, the Texas OL will be much better than it was last year.

Baker can make Arch Manning's life a lot easier by solidifying the interior of the offensive line. If Manning is protected and the run game can alleviate pressure from the passing game, the Texas offense will be humming.

Alabama Crimson Tide: Jackson Lloyd, Left Tackle

I could have picked any of Alabama's five projected starters. The offensive line was not good last year and Bama needs someone to step up at every position. With the entire line facing pressure, no position is more important than left tackle. Jackson Lloyd will be tasked with stepping in and replacing Kadyn Proctor.

Lloyd, at 6-foot-7, has the size to play in the SEC. He was a blue-chip recruit and Alabama had to beat out the likes of Oregon and Ohio State for his services. On3 was high on Lloyd coming out of high school, labeling him a five-star recruit. Lloyd is unproven and only played 41 snaps last year, but Alabama is betting on the talent.

If Lloyd lives up to his five-star billing, Alabama has a potential star to anchor the offensive line. A strong left tackle would take pressure off the unit and put Alabama in position to take a step forward.

Oklahoma Sooners: Michael Fasusi, Left Tackle

I debated between a few names for Oklahoma, but I went with Fasusi just because he has the raw potential to be an All-American. The five-star earned the starting left tackle job as a true freshman and posted an admirable 65.1 PFF blocking grade. Oklahoma's OLs have been subpar in recent years. That's unusual because this unit was among the best in college football under Lincoln Riley.

Fasusi has star potential and can elevate Oklahoma's offensive line back to the standard it set in the 2010s. We'll get a good look at Fasusi in Week 2, when he's tasked with blocking a dangerous Michigan defensive line.

Ole Miss Rebels: Terez Davis, Left Tackle

Ole Miss's interior offensive line should be among the SEC's best, but the Rebels have question marks at the tackle positions. One of those questions can be answered if Terez Davis lives up to his billing at left tackle. Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding was high on Davis at SEC Media Days -- a good sign for Rebel fans.

Davis began his career at Maryland and was a starter in 2024. He was on the bench for Ole Miss last year, but now has a prime chance to emerge as a starter in the SEC.

Texas A&M Aggies : Coen Echols, Left Guard

Texas A&M's offensive line was arguably the best in the SEC last year, but most of the production from that unit is now gone. A&M will rely on transfers to build the 2026 unit. Building an OL through the portal comes with risk, but A&M has a strong record of portal scouting under head coach Mike Elko.

There's an ongoing competition at left guard, but in an ideal world, Coen Echols wins the job and lives up to his talent level. Echols is a former blue-chip recruit and flashed with LSU in 2025. He was a coveted prospect in the transfer portal, opting to return to his home state and suit up for the Aggies. A&M needs a strong run game to take pressure off QB Marcel Reed. A&M needs the guards to emerge to clear paths on the inside.

Tennessee Volunteers: Ory Williams, Right Tackle

We'll stick with the theme of LSU transfers here. Ory Williams left LSU and landed at Tennessee, where he's projected to start at right tackle. Williams joined LSU's OL rotation midway through 2025 as the Tigers searched for answers. Williams didn't provide many, but he showed flashes of ...

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →