Will the new offensive linemen come together quickly enough to stop Baylor's revamped defensive line?
Early in spring camp, Alex Golesh asked for prayers for the offensive line. By the end of fall camp, the head coach referred to the newly formed O-Line as the most improved position group on the team. Auburn was able to put together an experienced squad of blockers including South Florida transfers Cole Best and Cole Skinner.
The appropriately named Best is the leader up front. An All-Conference center, he started 23 games for USF and allowed the QB to be pressured 10 times in 2025, and never allowed a sack.
Cole Skinner played guard alongside Best and has played in 28 games, with the big man carrying the ball on jumbo packages. He scored twice in 2025. He will most likely start at right guard on Saturday.
Jo Simmons is another likely starter at the left tackle position. He started 13 games for James Madison last season. He was an All-Sun Belt honorable mention. JMU won their conference and appeared in the college football playoff.
Stanton Ramil was injured in the 5th game of the year, and missed the remainder of the season for Michigan State. He has started a total of 13 games for the Spartans and will most likely start at tackle if he remains healthy.
Jacob Strand comes to Auburn from Oregon State where he has 18 games worth of experience at left tackle. Strand has made the biggest jump of any lineman in fall camp. He is now projected as a starter by some news outlets.
What was a painfully obvious question mark has turned into a case for optimism. Offensive lines generally take time to come together and gel as a cohesive unit like folks enjoy saying. Auburn added the experience, and two of the lineman are not new to the offense. Last season Auburn allowed 42 sacks which was the 4th worst in the country.
The sky is the limit for the big guys leading the way.
Cole Best: 6-4, 322 lbs
Cole Skinner: 6-5, 322 lbs
Jo Simmons: 6-5, 330 lbs
Stanton Ramil: 6-7, 313 lbs
Jacob Strand: 6-5, 310 lbs
- Thomas Porter