Risers In The CFB Saturdays College Football OT Rankings

With a few weeks of the season in the books and an opportunity to see how players have developed we have updated the College Football OT 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 OT rankings here.

Here is a look at a few of the offensive tackles who have made big moves up in the rankings.

Brady Christensen – BYU

Christensen leaps up the rankings and takes over the #1 spot vacated by Penei Sewell when he opted out. Christensen is the leader of the BYU offensive line and has been charged with protecting star quarterback Zach Wilson’s blind side. He has been phenomenal as a pass blocker and a run blocker this season, dominating in every facet of the game. He has good feet and flexibility as a pass blocker, using his athleticism and length to keep pass rushers at bay. Christensen is a powerful run blockers as well, driving defenders off the ball and showing the ability to win at the point of attack and make blocks downfield. BYU’s offense has had an efficient and balanced offense, Christensen’s strong play has been a key component in the success of the offense.

Christian Darrisaw – Virginia Tech

Darrisaw is another player that was already ranked pretty high and has jumped into the top five with his strong play this year. He is a very experienced player who has more than 30 starts under his belt. Darrisaw is an excellent run blocker who delivers blocks with attitude in the run game. He is athletic enough to find players to block in space and powerful enough to win at the point of attack. Darrisaw has also improved significantly as a pass blocker, he has quick feet and delivers a strong initial punch, keeping pass rushers squared up and knocking them off balance. This improvement is the reason his stock has soared this season. Darrisaw has shown the work ethic to get better throughout his career and is now reaping the rewards of that hard work.

Robert Hainsey – Notre Dame

Notre Dame’s offensive line has led the way for one of the most productive running games in the country. Both Hainsey and fellow tackle Liam Eichenberg have moved up in this update, with Hainsey making the larger jump. Hainsey is a good pass blocker who has good feet and length that allow him to handle most pass rushers. He is even better as a run blocker, where he has the strength and attitude to bully defenders and open gaping holes for the running backs. He is more comfortable firing off the line of scrimmage and delivering contact to the defender and thrives as a run blocker. Hainsey continues to get stronger in his lower half and improve his technique as a pass blocker. That improvement earned him a big jump on our list of offensive tackles.

Teven Jenkins – Oklahoma State

Jenkins is an athletic blocker that has gotten better as a pass blocker and is an outstanding run blocker. Jenkins is a powerful athlete who has reshaped his body in the weight room and is seeing the benefits on the field. He is quicker off the ball and able to handle pass rushers on the edge more comfortably. Jenkins plays with excellent strength, overpowering defenders in the run game. He has worked on his pass blocking technique and is becoming more comfortable there as well. Jenkins has developed into one of the best tackles in the conference and a leader on the Oklahoma State offensive line.

Nicholas Petit-Frere – Ohio State

Petit-Frere arrived at Ohio State in the 2018 recruiting class as one of the best tackle recruits in the country, but he needed to add strength and play with more attitude. After two years in the weight room and on the practice field, Petit-Frere is now tapping into his incredible potential. He won the starting job at right tackle this season and has flourished as a starter. Petit-Frere has excellent length and athleticism which allow him to excel in pass protection. He has also developed the strength to handle more physical ends. The biggest leap in his game has come as a run blocker, Petit-Frere now plays with the tenacity and attitude needed to punish defenders at the point of attack and finish blocks through the whistle. The sky is the limit for Petit-Frere as he continues to tap into his physical tools.

Peter Skoronski – Northwestern

It’s rare for a 4 – 0 team to be starting a true freshman at left tackle. Northwestern is doing just that in 2020, where Peter Skoronski won the starting job at left tackle. Skoronski is not just playing left tackle, he is doing it at a level well beyond his years. He has done a good job both in pass protection and as a run blocker for the Wildcats. He has advanced technique for his age and plays with leverage and power. Skoronski has been trusted to defend Peyton Ramsey’s blind side, often one on one, and has faired very well. He is still a young players who has plenty of development to do, but Skoronski has proven as a true freshman that he is one of the best tackles in the country.

Evan Neal – Alabama

Neal started at left guard for Alabama as a true freshman in 2019. He has now shifted to right tackle and the transition has gone smoothly. Neal is a massive offensive lineman who is an intimidating presence on the field. He plays with the power you would expect from a 6’7″ 360 lbs tackle, driving defenders off the line of scrimmage in the run game. Neal gets excellent push at the point of attack and is surprisingly flexible showing the ability to get leverage against smaller defenders. That flexibility and his above average quickness also help Neal handle quicker pass rushers when pass blocking. He still has work to do in this area, but he has been solid as a pass blocker at a new position in 2020. Neal is already playing very well, but has the potential to get even better as he continues to hone his technique.

Click here for the Top 25 OT Rankings.

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