National Columnist Mike Farrell is here with the 3-Point Stance, ranking the Big 12 top-tier offensive lines for next season, the biggest targets for five SEC powers, and the coaching debate — Dabo Swinney vs. Mack Brown.
Best Big XII Offensive Lines
— Onto the Big 12 for the top OL units led by the reigning Big 12 champs.
1. Kansas State
— This is a nasty group led by Cooper Beebe, who could be the best guard in all of college football.
2. Texas
— I like this unit led by Kelvin Banks, who is simply an off-the-charts talent still learning on the job.
3. BYU
— The addition of Kingsley Suamataia makes a solid unit potentially great.
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4. West Virginia
— West Virginia isn’t good, but the OL is surprisingly solid, led by center Zach Frazier.
5. Oklahoma
— The great center play continues with Andrew Raym, and the interior OL should be nasty.
Remaining 2024 Recruiting Needs: SEC
— Who are the top targets for some of the SEC powers?
UGA: DE/Edge Eddrick Houston
One of the biggest keys to the Bulldogs’ dominant run over the past two seasons has been a defense that can get pressure from all across the field, and Houston is a versatile piece that can line up across a variety of spots along the defensive front. The in-state five-star is hotly contested, and his recruitment will continue long after his announced commitment date of August 22.
24' DE Eddrick Houston (Hgt: 6030E Wgt: 255E – Buford HS, GA) was consistently disruptive in Week 1 against Thompson HS in the Freedom Bowl. @HoustonEddrick @RecruitGeorgia @buford_football pic.twitter.com/Uc1VyxNhDI
— Coach Hawkins (@BrianHawkins4) August 25, 2022
Alabama: CB Charles Lester III
Nick Saban might be the best defensive back recruiter of all time, but he’s going to have a real battle on his hands if he’s going to be able to reel in the five-star from Florida. With no true corners yet committed in the 2024 cycle, Lester is a priority, but he’s going to have to fight off Colorado, FSU, and Georgia for his commitment. FSU is the current leader, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Saban pull this one off.
Texas A&M: OL Bennett Warren
The Aggies need to continue to stockpile elite offensive linemen, and the in-state Warren is going to be one of the most hotly contested prospects in the 2024 cycle. The 6’7″, 330 lb. Warren is a huge priority for Jimbo Fisher and staff.
More of On300 Michigan OL target Bennett Warren (@BenzWarren76). Texas, Tennessee and Texas A&M all out here watching him today. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/HtznP2HRzU
— "EJ Holland" (@EJHollandOn3) May 10, 2023
Tennessee: Edge Jordan Ross
It’s a two-team race between Florida and Tennessee for the top 50 player, and both teams are putting the full-court press on him this month. If the Vols are going to continue to ascend and challenge Georgia for SEC supremacy, they’re going to need to get more consistent pressure from the edge, and Ross is a guy who can do just that.
Vestavia Hills @1rebelfootball Elite Edge-Rusher Jordan Ross @Childsplay_205 is feeling the love from Tennessee, Georgia and Oregon. pic.twitter.com/9qu6rFS4He
— Touchdown Alabama Recruiting (@TDARecruiting) May 13, 2023
Florida: OL Fletcher Westphal
A long, smooth tackle from Virginia, Westphal is the type of athletic lineman that Billy Napier covets. QB commit DJ Lagway needs a bookend tackle to keep him upright, and Westphal could be the perfect candidate to do so.
Fletcher Westphal @FletcherWestph1
Rivals Camp Series
05/21/2023
Piscataway, NJ@RivalsCamp@RivalsFriedman@Rivals@TuscaroraFB@CoachT_59@scottmcguiney@DaveNitta pic.twitter.com/aEGp4fNdcR— Chris Westphal (@ChrisWestphal65) May 25, 2023
The Coach Debate: Mack Brown vs. Dabo Swinney
— And finally, we continue the coaching debate with Mack Brown vs. Dabo Swinney.
The case for Brown:
Although he’s only won one national title, that one was one of the most memorable in the past 25 years. Mack has been a consistent winner for more than 30 years, with only one losing season since 1990. The UNC program completely dropped off after he left and only returned to prominence once he returned in 2019. And he’s shown that he still has it, too, turning Drake Maye into a Heisman contender.
The case against Brown:
Let’s face it, despite the national title, Brown underachieved at Texas, given all of the talent that was on hand. If Colt McCoy doesn’t get injured in the 2009 national title game, the story might be different, but we all saw how precipitously the team dropped off after that season. And while the UNC offense has been outstanding since his return, he has not had any semblance of a defense and has made some questionable coaching hires on that side of the ball, most notably Gene Chizik.
The case for Swinney:
Simply put, after Nick Saban, you can make a case that Swinney is the best coach of the past 15 years. He’s made six CFP appearances, four title games, and won two championships in the nine years of the College Football Playoff’s existence. Swinney has produced a litany of All-Americans on both sides of the ball, and they became one of the most dominant teams in college football under his guidance.
The case against Swinney:
His stubbornness to stick with DJ Uiagalelei the past two seasons despite mediocre at best results is a bit puzzling. A very vocal critic of the portal, Swinney is also losing out on opportunities to improve his team every year because of his refusal to truly engage with the new norm of college football.
The verdict:
As much of a legend as Brown is, this is as big a margin as I’ve had in this series. The job that Dabo has done at Clemson is truly remarkable, taking a slightly above-average program and turning them into a national powerhouse. He’s on the Mt. Rushmore of coaches in the CFP era without question, and, if he sticks around Clemson for another decade, could have a legacy that will go unmatched at the school.
