Barrett Jones, Sr.-Alabama
Jones is the leader of the Crimson Tide line coming into 2011. He will be more important than ever, considering that the Tide is breaking in a new starting QB. Break open enough holes for the new star back in Trent Richardson, and the new QB will find the transition much easier.
Nate Potter, Sr.-Boise State
Potter has Kellen Moore's back every time he drops back to pass. What took it up a notch in 2011, was the Broncos ran more, and more effectively in 2010 more than before, and that's saying something. While Moore breaks in a new stable of receivers, it'll be up to Potter and crew to keep the wolves at bay to help Moore find more time to get the ball up field.
Matt Reynolds, Sr.-BYU
Reynolds has NFL written all over him. He is a dominant force for the rebuilding Cougars. BYU will be one of the more improved teams in America in 2011, and Reynolds will be laying a nice flat road in front of him for the RB stable, and he'll be holding up the world as Jake Heaps continues his evolution.
Kelechi Osemeli, Sr.-Iowa State
Osemeli is built like a brick shit house. He is just massive in stature, and is one of the best linemen in the Big 12-2. Osemeli is a player that you probably have not heard of, but believe me, you should get to know him, and soon. He will likely have the attention of NFL scouts around the country.
OL-FCS
DJ Hall, Sr.-Texas State
Hall is probably the best offensive lineman returning in 2011. He was 1st team last season nationally, and is the lone returnee from last season's Phil Steele All America list. The Bobcats had a tough go last season, and with Tyler Arndt returning after a major knee injury, he'll need all of the blocking that he can get, and Hall will be right there for him. Definate NFL mid round draft pick in 2012.
David Pickard, Sr.-Southern Illinois
The Salukis are trying to rebound from a very disappointing 5-6 season in 2010, and the first order of any rebuilding team is making sure that you have a sound line. Pickard is the leader of said line, and returns after a season in which Pickard was picked as a preseason All-American. Welcome back to lofty expectations.
Juavahr Nathan, Sr.-South Carolina State
Last season, the Bulldogs started out with two preseason All-Americans on the line, and Nathan was one of them. He is now the undisputed leader of the Bulldog line. SC State missed the postseason by one game in 2010, and Nathan will be tasked to make sure that the offense does its part to make that a distant regrettable memory.
OL-D2
Amini Silatolu, Sr.-Midwestern State
Silatolu was the lone All-American lineman in D2 football that was not a senior in 2010, making him the leading returning lineman in the division. The Mustangs had a very solid offense in 2010, and made the playoffs only to lose to Washburn in the 1st round. Silatolu will be the anchor of a line that should lead Midwestern to a deeper position in 2011.
Tyler Hendrickson, Sr.-Concordia St. Paul
The Golden Bears were also playoff bound in 2010, but also fell in the 1st round to Pitt State. Hendrickson will lead the charge to win the Northern Sun in 2011, and make that playoff disappointment seem like an afterthought. Hendrickson is a beast, and was one of the very few non-seniors to receive postseason accolades in 2010. The "experts" love this guy.
Garth Heikkinen, Jr.-Minnesota-Duluth
If you can't recognize the leading blocker from a team that went 15-0 and won the national title, then something is wrong. Heikkinen was the kid of the group, as he was a mere sophomore in 2010. That being said, he played a key part in the title run, and the Bulldogs look to run behind him for another two seasons. ANother title run could very well be in the cards in Northern Minnesota.
Joe Long, Sr.-Wayne State (Michigan)
Despite a 9-2 season in 2010, Wayne State was left out of the playoff mix. I am not sure what else the Warriors can accomplish to get there, but running behind Long would be a solid choice of a starting place. Long looks to lead the way to erase a horrible end to the season, and he is one of the best in D2 football. Big things await in 2011 for Long and the Warriors.
Jason Slowey, Sr.-Western Oregon
The Wolves finished 7-4 in 2010, with the sour note coming in a season ending loss to Central Washington. Slowey is a rare find for a program like Western Oregon, and he is the anchor to the offense finding a path to run behind, and he is a wall when pass blocking becomes essential. Slowey will be leading the way in 2011 to try to make the Wolves the best in the west.
Coming next, the Defensive Line...
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