Top 10 Returning Offensive Tackles for the 2025 College Football Season
🏈 As we wrap up the 2024 college football season, it's time to shift gears and focus on the highly anticipated 2025 season. In this article, we'll explore the standout offensive tackles who are set to make waves in the upcoming year. While there may not be a wealth of proven stars, the talent and potential among these players are certainly intriguing. Let’s dive into the top 10 returning offensive tackles alongside an honorable mention who is making their mark in college football.
1. Spencer Fano - Utah 🌟
Leading the rankings is none other than Spencer Fano, who has garnered attention as the top right tackle in college football. With an impressive 93.0 grade, he dominated the competition, particularly in the run game, where he achieved a remarkable 93.6 run-blocking grade—the highest in the nation. Furthermore, Fano was also recognized as the second-most valuable Power Four tackle, as determined by the wins above average metric.
Despite some concerns about his length, Fano remains an exceptional athlete, showcasing dominant skills as a true sophomore. His reliable performance as a pass protector, alongside his elite run-blocking capabilities, sets the stage for a promising future in football.
"Utah’s Spencer Fano is my top returning offensive tackle in college football," said sports analyst Max Chadwick.
2. Francis Mauigoa - Miami (FL) 🌴
Francis Mauigoa has been a consistent force on the Miami Hurricanes' offensive line since his freshman year. This past season, he displayed remarkable growth in his pass protection skills, allowing only two combined sacks/hits on 534 pass-blocking snaps. Notably, he was the only FBS tackle to concede two or fewer knockdowns in games with extensive pass-blocking reps.
With a 71.4 run-blocking grade that ranks him among the top players in the ACC, Mauigoa is a top contender to be the first offensive tackle selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. His potential and current abilities make him a player to watch closely.
3. Kadyn Proctor - Alabama 🐘
Next up is Kadyn Proctor, who has taken on the responsibility of protecting the quarterback's blindside for the Alabama Crimson Tide. His journey began with some tough lessons as a freshman, but Proctor showed significant growth during his sophomore year. From Week 8 of 2023, his performance improved markedly, earning him a solid 76.5 PFF grade.
Notably, Proctor excelled against tough defensive lines, achieving a stellar 90.4 pass-blocking grade in games against Georgia and South Carolina while allowing only one pressure on 96 pass-blocking snaps. His impressive size at 6-foot-7 and 369 pounds coupled with elite agility showcases his potential to be a top draft pick in 2026.
“Watch Kadyn Proctor make an entire side of the Georgia rush a complete non-factor,” remarked a sports analyst on social media.
4. Jordan Seaton - Colorado 🐻❄️
Coming in at number four is Jordan Seaton, who joined the Colorado Buffaloes amid a challenging season. The need for improved protection for quarterback Shedeur Sanders led to Seaton being signed as a top-ranked recruit. As a true freshman left tackle, Seaton performed exceptionally well, boasting a 75.3 pass-blocking grade—the highest among true freshman tackles.
During a fierce seven-game stretch, Seaton recorded a remarkable 85.5 pass-blocking grade, allowing zero sacks and just one hit on 317 pass-blocking snaps. He has already established himself as one of the premier pass protectors in college football at just 19 years old, with a bright future ahead.
5. Aamil Wagner - Notre Dame 🍀
Aamil Wagner continues the tradition of excellence in Notre Dame’s offensive line program. After the departure of two top-60 draft picks, Wagner stepped into the spotlight, finishing his junior season as one of the country’s most valuable Power Four tackles.
With a 78.1 run-blocking grade and only two sacks allowed over 496 pass-blocking snaps, Wagner has proven to be both a strong run and pass protector. His potential to shine further makes him a player to track as he moves forward in his career.
6. Gennings Dunker - Iowa 🇺🇸
Despite losing standout running back Kaleb Johnson, the Iowa Hawkeyes can count on Gennings Dunker to anchor their offensive line. Dunker achieved a stellar 90.2 run-blocking grade, placing him behind only Fano in the national rankings. His exceptional performance includes seven big-time blocks, a testament to his strength and technique in pancake blocking.
Dunker’s powerful presence on the field solidifies his spot among the top returning tackles, making him a critical player to support Iowa's offensive line strategies.
7. Blake Miller - Clemson 🐅
Blake Miller has established himself as an unyielding presence on Clemson's offensive line, starting every game since his freshman year. His durability is unparalleled, with over 2,804 snaps logged since 2022. Miller's 77.3 career run-blocking grade places him among the top in the country, and his 76.4 pass-blocking grade indicates his reliability and skill.
As he heads toward his NFL aspirations, Miller is poised to become one of Clemson's most distinguished offensive linemen.
8. Carter Smith - Indiana 🍂
Carter Smith consistently performs at a high level, earning grades above 75 for both run and pass protection in 2024. His impressive 3% pressure rate allowed ranks among the best in the Big Ten, highlighting his capability as Indiana’s starting left tackle. Smith is well-positioned to continue excelling during his third year, showcasing his potential and skill on the field.
9. Brian Parker II - Duke 🦇
An emerging star, Brian Parker II transitioned from a shared role to a solidified spot at right tackle. His 84.9 pass-blocking grade is impressive, placing him among the elite in college football. With minimal pressure and knockdowns allowed over the past two seasons, Parker stands out as a vital player for Duke's offense, especially with a new quarterback stepping into the role.
10. Riley Mahlman - Wisconsin 🧀
Rounding out the top ten is Riley Mahlman, who continues to make waves in his offensive tackle position. With a solid grade of 79.6 over his career and displaying strong performances in both run and pass blocking, Mahlman shows tremendous potential as he enters his senior year. His contributions keep him in the discussion for top tackles in college football.
Honorable Mention: Caleb Tiernan - Northwestern ✋
Caleb Tiernan garnered recognition for his exceptional pass blocking this past season, earning an 88.9 pass-blocking grade—the fifth-best among all FBS tackles. With multiple games scoring over 80, Tiernan stands out as one to watch closely for a breakout season in 2025.
The 2025 college football season brings excitement as these talented offensive tackles step onto the field. Their potential, skill, and performances will be critical for their respective teams, and football fans can't wait to see how they shape the outcome of games this year! 🎉