As we approach the start of the college football season we will be releasing our 2022 Preseason All-American team. Our two guards and two honorable mentions were selected and discussed.
Check out our other selections in these links.
The guards selected are…
OG Andrew Vorhees – USC
OG Emil Ekiyor Jr. – Alabama
Andrew Vorhees enters his 6th year at USC as their most experienced lineman. He has started at both guard positions and left tackle in his collegiate career. Injuries have hindered his career, but he has fought back each time and was named the the AP All-American 3rd team after last season.
With Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams coming over from Oklahoma, Jordan Addison coming from Pitt, and Travis Dye coming from Oregon, USC expects an offensive juggernaut. Vorhees will be the leader of the offensive line and may have a chance to do something that has alluded him in his career, make the CFP.
Emil Ekiyor Jr. has 29 career starts entering the 2022 season and has been a part of a few high-powered offenses at Alabama. He will look to improve his NFL draft stock with another solid season and could finish the season as one of the top guard prospects in the country.
Alabama has a long list of NFL offensive linemen and Ekiyor has improved leaps and bounds over his career. Combine his stellar play with national championship aspirations, and you get a prime candidate to become an All-American at the end of the season.
Honorable Mentions
OG O’Cyrus Torrence – Florida
OG Caleb Chandler – Louisville
OG Willie Lampkin – Coastal Carolina
OG Nathan Monnin – Kent State
Torrence followed Billy Napier from Louisiana to Florida this offseason and looks to take his talents to the SEC. He was an outstanding tackle at Louisiana and could continue at that position, but it’s looking more likely that he will kick inside to guard.
His size, athleticism, and temperament should make the transition a success and he will look to continue the recent trend of Ragin’ Cajun offensive linemen who are drafted in the NFL.
Chandler will look to lead Louisville’s offensive line in his 5th season. He has been a mainstay on the offensive line for the last several years and has a chance to earn national recognition with another strong campaign.
Lampkin is an undersized guard, but he is a joy to watch. He is a fluid athlete with a wrestling background and he is a menace at the guard position. He was named 2nd Team All-Sun Belt last season and with Grayson McCall returning, the Coastal Carolina offense will continue to wreck havoc in the Sun Belt.
Monnin dominated the SIS metrics last season and looked comfortable against top 10 opponents Texas A&M and Iowa last year. His name might not be well-known to casual fans, but NFL evaluators have their eye on him and he has a chance to show he belongs on NFL draft boards.
