Ranking the Big Ten offensive lines heading in 2022

(10.) Iowa Hawkeyes

Offensive Line coach: George Barnett (2nd season)
Projected line-up: LT Mason Richman*, LG Justin Britt, C Tyler Elsbury, RG Connor Colby*, RT Jack Plumb*

Summary: The Hawkeyes usually formidable OL took a major step backward last year, though a lack of quality quarterback play certainly left their offensive line at a disadvantage, with minimal threat of an aerial attack allowing opposing defenses to stack the box.

Left tackle Mason Richman was solid, an All-Big Ten honorable mention, and returns to his spot at left tackle for the Hawkeyes. Right guard Connor Colby was the one who impressed me the most last year evaluating them for the Big Ten title game.

He’s back again this fall. He’s a preseason second-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele. Tyler Elsbury has worked in as Linderbaum’s backup previously and is set to replace the All-American.

Justin Britt missed all of 2021 with a knee injury, but with Cody Ince’s retirement, he’s expected to step into the starting role. Jack Plumb and Nick De Jong both started games at right tackle in 2021, though both were very mediocre.

Overall, the loss of Linderbaum is a big setback, but there’s room to grow with Richman and Colby taking steps forward, and hopefully, the right tackle situation not being as tumultuous as it was last fall. Enough to save the offense from its QB dismay?

No. But they aren’t working with nothing.