Preseason 25
Best Guards 1.
Shannon Tevaga, Sr., UCLA
2. George Robinson, Jr., Oklahoma
3. Andrew Crummey, Sr., Maryland
4.
Jordan Grimes, Sr. Purdue
5. Jeremy Perry, Jr. Oregon State
6. Adam Kraus, Sr. Michigan
7. Branden Albert, Jr. Virginia
8. Kirk Elder, Sr. Texas A&M
9. Kraig Urbik, Jr. Wisconsin
10. Robert Conley, Jr. Utah
11. Louis Vasquez, Jr. Texas Tech
12. Sergio Render, Soph. Virginia Tech 13. Matt Slauson, Jr. Nebraska
14. Hercules Satele, Sr. Hawaii
15. Robert Felton, Sr. Arkansas
16. Steve Rehring, Jr. Ohio State
17.
Anthony Parker, Jr. Tennessee 18.
Matt Lindner, Sr. TCU
19. Tad Miller, Sr. Boise State
20. John Jerry, Soph. Ole Miss
21. Justin Britt, Sr. Alabama 22. Cole Popovich, Jr. Fresno
State
23. Ryan Poles, Sr. Boston College 24.Trevor Canfield, Jr.
Connecticut
25.
Charles Manu, Sr. Nevada
*LSU's Will Arnold will be in the top five if and when he's
healthy
2006 CFN Preseason First Team All-Americans George
Robinson, Jr. Oklahoma At
6-5 and 330 pounds, Robinson is a big blocker in the interior who can
move linemen around without much of a problem. He's not as bulky anymore
after starting his career at well over 360 pounds, and he could play
tackle if needed. While "Duke" could still used some more seasoning in
pass protection, he's coming into his own as an All-America caliber run
blocker.
Shannon
Tevaga, Sr. UCLA Tevaga's UCLA’s best
overall lineman and a strong candidate for post-season honors. At 6-3
and 316 pounds, he’s big and powerful with the nasty streak to overwhelm
opponents at times, particularly on running downs. A starter in 31
consecutive games, Tevaga is the undisputed leader of this unit.
2007 CFN Preseason Second Team All-Americans
Andrew Crummey, Sr. Maryland The star of a
good Terp line is the senior right guard, who earned All-ACC honors as
the team's best run blocker. Despite beefing up to 301 pounds, he kept
his quickness becoming a more effective pass protector. He can play
center if needed
Jordan Grimes, Sr. Purdue The 6-3,
325-pound Grimes is one of the Big Ten's best run blockers and doesn't
quite fit the Purdue mold. He's a mauler playing in a finesse offense,
and he's adapting as he became a great pass protector last season.
Tremendously strong, he simply overwhelms most tackles.
2007 CFN Honorable Mention All-Americans
(in alphabetical order)
Branden Albert, Jr. Virginia A
major problem last year, the Virginia line should be better with all
five starters returning. The veteran of the bunch is the 6-7, 315-pound
Albert at left guard, who has the size and talent to get the NFL scouts
interested. Surprisingly quick for his size, he was the best of an
inconsistent lot, earning honorable mention All-ACC honors. His only
major problem so far was his schoolwork last year before spring ball,
but all is fine now.
Robert Conley, Jr. Utah A sure
thing for the All-Mountain West team, Conley's the Utes' best run
blocker. He's 6-1, 316 pounds and extremely strong going from a raw
prospect to a weight room warrior and a tough veteran.
Kirk Elder, Sr. Texas A&M
The 6-5, 307-pound Elder will return at quick guard after an All-Big 12
season. The line's star with 34 straight starts, he's a rock against the
pass and a road grader against the run. It'll be a shock if he's not one
of the league's best yet again and an All-America caliber performer
Adam Kraus, Sr. Michigan
The 6-6, 296-pound Kraus doesn't get the attention tackle Jake Long
receives, but the veteran guard is every bit as nasty when it comes to
the running game. The former tight end can move, but he's at his best
when he's allowed to by physical on pounding running plays. One of the
line's most versatile players, he's seen time at center, and is at home
at guard.
Jeremy Perry, Jr. Oregon State In what many consider
to be a finesse league, Perry is an old-fashioned mauler that’ll
dominate his man until the whistle blows. A nasty, tenacious blocker
that earned All-Pac-10 First Team honors in 2006, he’s especially
effective when the Beavers keep the ball on the ground.
Kraig Urbik, Jr. Wisconsin
Back at right guard is Urbik, a 6-6, 330-pound former tackle who had a
terrific year at guard. He's been a major contributor from day one
starting 26 straight games, and now he should be an all-star on his run
blocking alone.
