🏈 🔵 My "Position University" Picks On Offense
From Oklahoma to Texas to LSU, let's dive into my choices for "Position University" nods for skill position roles on offense.
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My “Position University” Offensive Breakdown
Hey friends,
The offseason is sadly upon us.
With the territory, it’s only natural for post-game coverage and analysis to morph into spirited debate.
Recently, I put together a list of schools that can dub themselves worthy as “Position University” programs based on college and NFL production hailing from each positional room.
From Oklahoma to LSU, let’s see which programs have the right to claim offensive positional crowns ahead of the grueling 2024 offseason calendar.
Oklahoma: Quarterback University
Notable Products: Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Jason White, Sam Bradford, Kyler Murray
When Lincoln Riley headed Oklahoma, the Sooners produced two Heisman Trophy winners and three finalists as Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray took home the award in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Since Riley departed the storied quarterback pipeline for USC, the program has hardly skipped a beat.
Despite being a defensive-minded leader, head coach Brent Venables molded gunslinger Dillon Gabriel into a top Big 12 talent.
Gabriel amassed over 6,700 passing yards in two years in Norman and tossed just 12 interceptions compared to 55 touchdowns.
Next year, Venables’ unit will be led by top recruit Jackson Arnold, who ranked as the No. 1 high school prospect in Texas a cycle ago.
Texas: Running Back University
Notable Products: Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, Jamaal Charles, Earl Campbell, D’Onta Foreman, Bijan Robinson
Despite Alabama and Wisconsin commonly resulting as the most popular choices in this category, I give the nod to Texas for producing the most dominant backfield bruisers.
Ricky Williams stands in a column alone and cemented himself as arguably the most prolific back in the sport’s history from 1995 to 1998.
As a senior, Williams set the then-NCAA rushing record, finishing the campaign with 2,124 yards and 27 touchdowns. Overall, Williams finished his Texas career with 6,279 yards on the ground and 6.2 yards per carry.
Additionally, the Longhorns have produced other historical backfield staples including Cedric Benson, Earl Campbell, Jamaal Charles, D’Onta Foreman, and Bijan Robinson.
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Iowa: Tight End University
Notable Products: Dallas Clark, George Kittle, TJ Hockenson, CJ Fiedorowicz, Noah Fant, Sam LaPorta
From Dallas Clark to TJ Hockenson to George Kittle, no school has put higher caliber next-level tight ends into the league than Iowa throughout the Kirk Ferentz era.
In 2023, the pipeline continued with second-round selection Sam LaPorta, who’s emerged as a top red zone threat for the Detroit Lions in his rookie go-around.
Additionally, former first-round commodity Noah Fant strung together 2,805 receiving yards in five years with Denver and Seattle.
Similarly to most former Hawkeye tight ends, Fant’s endzone presence helped him score 14 total touchdowns throughout the span.
All-American candidate Luke Lachey faced a season-ending lower-body injury in early September but is set to return to the Big Ten stage next year with grand aspirations to continue the Hawkeyes’ successful run at the position.
LSU: Wide Receiver University
Notable Products: Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, DJ Chark, Dwayne Bowe, Terrace Marshall Jr.., Brandon LaFell
In 2013, Odell Beckham Jr. put together 1,152 receiving yards on 59 catches for the Tigers.
Six seasons later, LSU unleashed one of the sport’s most formidable pass-catching trios in Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Terrace Marshall.
Now, Brian Kelly’s squad is firmly cemented as the best wide receiver pipeline not just in the SEC, but across the country.
Aside from Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU’s Malik Nabers finished as a Biletnikoff Award snub with better overall statistics than their counterparts on the outside.
In total, Nabers accumulated 1,569 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns, and an absurd 17.6 yards-per-catch clip.
The Tigers still have Brian Thomas Jr. and Chris Hilton Jr. in the mix to make noise in The Bayou come next year.
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Shoutout to Connor Krause for helping to write this newsletter and putting it together!
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