Newcomers In The CFB Saturdays College Football OG/C Rankings: 2021 Preseason

With the 2020 season in the books we have removed the offensive guards and centers who have moved on and updated the College Football OG/C rankings. A few notes before we discuss the rankings themselves.

• The rankings will be updated throughout the season.
• Players who have not played college football are not eligible for the rankings.
• Players are graded on their college ability, not their pro potential.
• We are judging players on their film, production and physical tools.

You can view the College Football OG/C Rankings here.

Here is a look at a few of the offensive guards and centers that have debuted in the rankings after a promising 2020:

Tyrese Robinson – Oklahoma

Tyrese Robinson has been starting at guard for Oklahoma for two years now and his performance has gotten better as he has gained experience. He is an experienced player on the interior and has proven himself as a consistent force on the offensive line. Robinson has played on talented offensive lines the last two seasons, in 2021 he will step into more of a leadership role for Oklahoma. Oklahoma’s offense has a lot of talent returning and will be one of the best in the country next season.

Robinson is a powerful player at 6’3″ 335 lbs. He has the size and power to generate push in the run game. Robinson is strong in his lower half and can drive defenders out of running lanes. He has good foot quickness and agility for a player his size and is able to handle interior pass rushers effectively. His pass blocking was noticeably better in 2020 and is now a strength. Robinson has the tools to be a key contributor up front for a high powered Oklahoma offense in 2021.

Oklahoma Sooners Gear

Justin Shaffer – Georgia

An injury cost Justin Shaffer a large chunk of his 2019 season. In 2020, Shaffer did his best to make up for lost time. He started all ten games for the Bulldogs and was a strong presence on the offensive line all season. Georgia’s offense took some time to get on track, but with JT Daniels back in 2021 and key talent returning in several spots the Bulldogs are well situated for next season. Shaffer will be one of the veteran offensive linemen leading the way for the talented Georgia team.

Shaffer is an imposing figure at the guard position. He is listed at 6’4″ 330 lbs and can be a road grader in the running game. He is powerful at the point of attack and has the athleticism to pull and lead for running plays. Shaffer has solid feet and quickness and can hold his own as a pass blocker on the interior. Shaffer is a known commodity heading into 2021 and will provide stability on the offensive line.

Georgia Bulldogs Gear

Alex Forsyth – Oregon

2020 was the first time Alex Forsyth started for Oregon. He had to wait several weeks for the season to begin, but once the season began Forsyth showed he was ready. Forsyth had experience playing several spots as a reserve but cemented himself as the starting center for the Ducks. He became a leader on the offensive line and performed well for the Pac 12 champions.

Forsyth has excellent size for a center, checking in at 6’4″ 305 lbs. He has good athleticism and has the quickness and agility to get downfield and make key blocks. Forsyth is solid at the point of attack in the run game and should only get better with more reps. His pass blocking was very good in the middle of the offensive line, he picks up blitzes well and recognizes where extra rushers are coming from. Forsyth has the mobility to cut off pass rushers and delivers a good punch as a pass blocker. Now with starting experience under his belt, Forsyth will be the leader of Oregon’s offensive line in 2021.

Oregon Ducks Gear

Logan Bruss – Wisconsin

It’s a safe bet that a list of the best offensive linemen in college football has a Wisconsin lineman on it. Bruss has been a starter for the Badgers for over two years. He has started at tackle and guard, though in 2020 he was a guard for Wisconsin. The Badgers have developed offensive linemen as well as anyone in the country and Bruss is another player to perform up front for Wisconsin. He was a steady performer at guard as a pass and run blocker in 2020.

At 6’5″ 310 lbs, Bruss has good length on the interior of the offensive line. He is a powerful player who has the functional strength to handle tough defenders on the interior. He has the skills of a tackle and is an asset in pass protection on the interior. Bruss is able to neutralize most interior pass rushers with his length, agility and strength. He is athletic enough to pull out in front on running plays, but should improve as a run blocker as he gets used to playing inside. Bruss had a good season in 2020 and will be a key part of Wisconsin’s offensive line in 2021.

Wisconsin Badgers Gear

Henry Bainivalu – Washington

Bainivalu became a starter late in 2019 and has not looked back since. He started at guard for the entire 2020 season. He helped lead the way for Washington to win the Pac 12 North, but the team was unable to compete in the Pac 12 Championship Game due to Covid. The Huskies only allowed 1 sack in their four games during the 2020 season. Bainivalu was off to a good start, but unfortunately the season was unusually short for Washington.

Bainivalu measures in at an impressive 6’6″ 335 lbs, making him an imposing figure on the offensive line. He is a long and athletic player who has quick feet and good lateral mobility. He can handle quicker pass rushers on the interior due to his length and foot speed. Bainivalu is a punishing run blocker who has the power and quickness to win at the point of attack and get downfield to spring big plays. Bainivalu will be a key starter in 2021 for the Huskies and should continue to improve his game with experience.

Washington Huskies Gear

For the complete Top 25 OG/C Rankings click here.

For the latest content follow us on twitter @saturdayscfb & @cfbsaturdaysC or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CFBSaturdays.

Wide Angle Shot of Autzen Image taken by Ray Terrill is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.