2008 CFN All-Americans & Top Players - OTs

CFN 2008 All-Americans and Top 25 Players - Offensive Tackles

2008 CFN All-Americans

Offensive Tackles

CFN 2008 All-Americans and Top 25 Players
2008 Preview | Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers
Tight Ends | Guards | Centers 
Defense Def. Ends | Def. Tackles | Linebackers | Cornerbacks 
Safeties | Punters | Kickers | Kick Returners

Preseason Top 25 Tackles
1. Andre Smith, Jr. Alabama
2. Michael Oher, Jr. Ole Miss
3. Eugene Monroe, Sr. Virginia
4. Phil Loadholt, Sr. Oklahoma
5. Ryan Stancheck, Sr. West Va
6. Alex Boone, Sr. Ohio State
7. Andrew Gardner, Sr. Ga Tech
8. Ciron Black, Jr. LSU
9. Eben Britton, Jr. Arizona
10. Dallas Reynolds, Sr. BYU
11. Adam Ulatoski, Jr. Texas
12. George Bussey, Sr. Louisville
13. Patrick Brown, Sr. UCF
14. Chris Scott, Jr. Tennessee
15. Andy Levitre, Sr. Oregon State
16. Russell Okung, Jr. Oklahoma St
17. Sean Sester, Sr. Purdue
18. Marlon Winn, Jr. Texas Tech
19. Xavier Fulton, Sr. Illinois
20. Andrew Hartline, Sr. Cent. Mich
21. Anthony Davis, Soph. Rutgers
22. Sam Young, Jr. Notre Dame
23. Matt Mandich, Sr. Arkansas St
24. Garry Williams, Sr. Kentucky
25. Dion Small, Sr. Troy

2008 CFN Preseason First Team All-Americans

Michael Oher, Jr. Ole Miss
Four starters return to the line, and it could've easily have been three had Oher decided to become a millionaire this year rather than in 2009. The 6-4, 318-pound All-American has gotten in better shape, slimmed down a bit, and should be one of the nation's most dominant all-around tackles. Inconsistent over his career, but very talented, he's a rock who should only up his draft status after coming within an eyelash of leaving early. He's an improving pass protector and is great for the running game, and more than anything else, he's dependable. A starter from the day he arrived on campus, he plays through everything and is a true anchor to work around.

Andre Smith, Jr. Alabama
And with the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select Andre Smith, offensive tackle. Considered by many to be the nation's best recruit two years ago, he came up with a good freshman year, an excellent sophomore campaign, sharing the honor of being the SEC's best blocker along with Arkansas center Jonathan Luigs, and now he's in a salary drive. The 6-4, 340-pound junior left tackle is a dominant run blocker, but he has to be more consistent in pass protection. He's good, but he needs to be great.

2008 CFN Preseason Second Team All-Americans

Phil Loadholt, Sr. Oklahoma
The 6-8, 352-pound Loadholt would've been a top 50 draft pick, but he's back at left tackle where he was strong in his first season from the JUCO ranks, but he could be better. The team's best run blocker for stretches, he now has to show he can handle all the speed rushers. If he gets his long arms on a defender, it's over, and with a little more work and a little more consistency, he could be the first tackle taken next year as he invites comparisons to former Miami Hurricane, and current Minnesota Viking, Bryant McKinnie.

Eugene Monroe, Sr. Virginia
While Virginia has lost one star blocker to the NFL, Branden Albert, it gets back another who’ll be playing on Sundays before long. Monroe is already being hailed as a possible first round selection next April depending on how he closes his Cavalier career. Entering his third year as a starter, he’s a 6-6, 315-pound brick wall with the footwork and athleticism inherent to elite tackles. He didn’t allow a sack during the regular season, which should give comfort to the new starter under center.

2008 CFN Honorable Mention All-Americans
(in alphabetical order)

Ciron Black, Jr. LSU
The 6-5, 320-pound Black could be the first offensive tackle selected if he chooses to come out early. Tremendous in pass protection and a mauling run blocker, he can do it all. In charge of handling all the SEC speed rushers for the last two seasons, he's an experienced, smart, tough blocker who can do everything well.

Alex Boone, Sr. Ohio State
The Buckeyes caught a huge break when the 6-8, 312-pound Boone surprised everyone and chose to return for his senior season. A four-year starter on the left side, he's a great pass blocker with the long arms that keep all the pass rushers at a distance to go along with the power to be a dominant run blocker. He's a rock of a player who's getting more and more consistent. Considered by some to be the best Buckeye line prospect since Orlando Pace, all eyes will be on him as the possible first tackle taken in next year's draft.

Eben Britton, Jr. Arizona
Britton is the anchor of the Wildcat line, a third-year starter who's quickly emerging as one of the top tackles in the country. At 6-6 and 310 pounds, the All-Pac-10 Second Teamer is impressively nimble, raising the possibility that he could shift spots and seamlessly move to the left side.

Andrew Gardner, Sr. Georgia Tech
The one constant on a unit looking to replace three starters is the 6-6, 297-pound Gardner, a First Team All-ACC selection and one of the nation’s premier left tackles. A terrific athlete with impeccable fundamentals, he’s a good drive blocker and an even better pass protector. He’s adapting well to the changes and will once again be the bedrock of this unit.

Dallas Reynolds, Sr. BYU
The 6-5, 332-pound Reynolds missed time early last off-season with a shoulder injury, but he quickly returned to become earn first-team All-Mountain West honors and should be on several All-America lists. He's a crushing run blocker and has turned into a phenomenal pass protector; he didn't give up a sack in Mountain West play. A top producer from day one, with 37 career starts, he's the anchor the line works around.

Ryan Stancheck, Sr. West Virginia
Back for a third season as the starting left tackle is Stanchek, a mentally and physically tough lineman that plays until the whistle.  Built more like a guard than a tackle at 6-4 and 300 pounds, he’s an outstanding drive blocker and especially nasty when working in small spaces.  He earned some All-America recognition as a junior, despite being overlooked by the Big East.