How has the Tigers’ offensive line fared through the first seven games of the season?

Memphis is 5-2 following a 31-17 loss against Tulane on Friday, and with seven games in the books, it’s a good time to check in on the offensive line. 

Charles Huff had to replace starters at every position, and left guard Parker Mitchell is the only offensive lineman who returned with starts under his belt. Mitchell hasn’t started a game this year, but he has played a role for the Tigers.

Maarten Woudsma, Aaron Kras, Phillip Gray and Skyler Grant have started all seven games, while Riley McGehee has started five games this year.

Pro Football Focus gives grades for every college and NFL team and game. It gives Memphis a pass blocking grade of 68.5 and a run blocking grade of 55.7. 

The offensive line received it’s best pass blocking grade, 87.4, in a home win over UT Martin, and they received their best run blocking grade, 65.4, last week against Charlotte.

Where does the offensive line rank in the conference?

The Tigers rank No. 5 in the American in pass blocking grade, but they’re much lower in run blocking. Memphis ranks behind Tulsa, FAU, Army and North Texas in the pass blocking category, and it’s not hard to believe the Tigers rank where they do. 

The offensive line has done a nice job protecting Stokes on pass plays, but they have given up a handful of sacks and pressures throughout the year.

In the run game, the offensive line ranks No. 12 in run blocking, only ahead of North Texas and East Carolina. While the running game has found a lot of success, that success hasn’t carried over to PFF’s grades for the offensive line.

Jaylin Carter has rushed for 780 yards and eight touchdowns on 112 carries, and the low run blocking grade shows that Carter is doing a nice job finding running lanes in difficult situations.

Who has been the best offensive lineman?

In the passing game, Riley McGehee has the best grade among the starters at 74.4. In 147 opportunities, he has allowed only one sack, four hurries and five quarterback pressures, and he has only been called for one penalty.

In the running game, Xavier Allen has the best run blocking grade of linemen who have recorded more than 100 snaps. Allen has taken 276 snaps this season, and 143 of those plays have been on the ground.

What went wrong against Tulane?

The offensive line struggled at times against the Green Wave, and Marcus Stokes was sacked seven times. Some of those sacks were on the offensive line, but others were on the quarterback holding the ball too long.

In addition to the sacks, Tulane’s defense recorded nine hurries and 15 quarterback pressures. The Green Wave were bringing pressure all night, and the Tigers struggled against it, leading to several mistakes.