Rivals Rankings Week: Updated 2023 OL rankings
The class of 2023 is under the microscope this week with the first, full rankings for the class being released. Today we look at the offensive position rankings, including all three offensive line positions. Kadyn Proctor is the only five-star offensive lineman at this point, but there are plenty of prospects just outside of five-star range.
TODAY'S RANKINGS RELEASES: Offensive tackles | Offensive guards | Centers | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Running backs | All-purpose backs | Pro-style quarterback | Dual-threat quarterback
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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Monday: Five-star countdown | Arch Manning is new No. 1
Tuesday: Rivals250 unveiled | Gorney's thoughts | Meet the new five-stars | Top player at each position | Could there be five five-stars from Alabama?
Wednesday: Teams with the most R250 commits | QB rankings released | RB rankings released | WR/TE rankings released | OL rankings released
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings
Saturday: Rivals Roundtable
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TEAM WITH TOP COMMIT: Penn State
Only five offensive linemen in the 2023 class have committed so far, and the highest rated to do so is Alex Birchmeier. The Ashburn (Va.) Broad Run star holds offers from most of the major programs from around the country, and rightfully so. He is as athletic as any interior offensive linemen in this class and is an excellent wrestler as well. Birchmeier has the skill set to be a multi-year starter for the Nittany Lions and he checks in at No. 56 in the first 2023 Rivals250.
If Birchmeier were to sign with Penn State today and the rankings were final, he'd be the second-highest rated offensive lineman to sign with the Nittany Lions in the Rivals era.
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TEAMS TO WATCH: Notre Dame, Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon
Notre Dame is in good shape for a number of offensive linemen in this cycle. The Irish have to feel good about Monroe Freeling. The Rivals250 prospect visited the campus earlier this offseason and can't wait to get back to South Bend. Keep an eye on five-star Kadyn Proctor, top offensive guard Chase Bisontis and Rivals100 prospect Luke Montgomery as the process rolls on.
Ohio State is also in great position for Proctor. The five-star offensive lineman's teammate, highly rated 2022 safety Xavier Nwankpa, is very interested in the Buckeyes, too, and both could end up there together. Ryan Day and his staff have targeted players such as Bisontis, Montgomery and Rivals250 prospect Joshua Padilla, and each of them put the Buckeyes near the top of their lists.
Georgia got a great head start with many 2023 offensive linemen. Keep an eye on Madden Sanker, Johnathan "Bo" Hughley, Luke Montgomery and Logan Reichert. Each of them are in the Rivals100 and they've all been to the Athens campus at least once. Rivals250 prospects Bradyn Joiner and Monroe Freeling are also important names for Georgia fans to remember.
Mario Cristobal and Oregon are in position to sign one of the best crops of offensive linemen in the 2023 class. Mammoth lineman Francis Mauigoa appears to be leaning toward schools on the West Coast, and the Ducks could have the inside track for the Rivals100 prospect. Keep an eye on TJ Shanahan and Iapani Laloulu. Oregon has a serious leg up with Laloulu because his brother is current Ducks freshman Faapoe Laloulu.
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PLAYER TO WATCH: Bradyn Joiner
He may not be close to announcing his commitment but Joiner, the top center in the Rivals250, could almost be penciled in as a Georgia commit. The Dawgs are all over the Auburn, Ala., native and would love to add him to their offensive line.
Interestingly enough, neither Auburn nor Alabama have offered the in-state prospect yet. If they do eventually do so, it could have a major impact on his recruitment, so it's worth keeping an eye on down the line.