It’s the most unheralded position in football, but one of the most important. For Florida State, the offensive line will be one of the team’s biggest question marks in 2017.
On the other side of the ball, the FSU defensive front looks to be one of the best in the country, but they’ll have some really good big uglies to go up against. Here’s a look at the five best offensive linemen that FSU will face in 2017:
1. Mitch Hyatt, Clemson (T)
From the moment he stepped on campus, Clemson’s Mitch Hyatt has been a strong performer for the Tigers. After being named a Freshman All-America in 2015, Hyatt was a first-team All-ACC selection as a sophomore. At 6-5 and 295 pounds, Hyatt is quick off the snap and very physical. He’ll try to slow down a pass rush that led the nation in sacks per game last season when the Tigers host Florida State on Nov. 11.
2. Jonah Williams, Alabama (T)
Like Clemson’s Mitch Hyatt, Alabama’s Jonah Williams is big, mean and physical. Williams has excelled both as a run-blocker and in pass protection and was a big reason why the Crimson Tide yielded just 24 sacks in 15 games last season while averaging 5.8 yards per rush, which ranked eighth nationally. FSU will try to slow that ground game down in the season-opener in Atlanta on Sept. 2.
3. Tyrone Crowder, Clemson (G)
At 6-2 and 340 pounds, Tyrone Crowder is a mountain of a man and extremely physical. Despite his large 340-pound frame, Crowder moves well getting to the second level. Working against a very good FSU defensive front last season, Crowder had one of his best games of the year as the Tigers racked up 37 points and more than 500 yards of offense.
4. Martez Ivey, Florida (G)
Though he might not get the attention that Jordan Scarlett or Antonio Callaway do, Martez Ivey may have been Florida’s offensive MVP in 2016. At 6-5 and 305 pounds, Ivey is the anchor for a Florida offensive line that has had its struggles. Ivey and the Florida offense will hope for better results against FSU this time around when the teams meet in Gainesville on Nov. 25. The Gators managed just 207 total yards and 3.2 yards per play against the Seminoles last season.
5. Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama (G)
A Freshman All-American in 2015, Ross Pierschbacher was instrumental in opening holes for the dynamic rushing duo of Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris as a sophomore. Pierschbacher was named a second-team All-SEC performer last year. He has 30 career starts for his career.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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