Editor’s note: The U-T’s Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL Draft (April 25-27). Here are his top 10 interior offensive linemen, plus “bonus” players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

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— 1. Troy Fautanu (Sr., Washington, 6-foot-3, 317 pounds)

Fautanu’s heavy hands and impressive athleticism has been on display at left tackle for the Huskies the last two seasons, but many believed he possessed less-than-ideal arm length, which might have diminished him on some draft boards. However, the two-time All-Pac-12 honoree and third-team All-American’s arms measured over the 34 inch threshold at the combine, boosting his draft stock even higher. Fautanu features legitimate five-position upside and All-Pro potential. Projected: Round 1

— 2. Zach Frazier (Sr., West Virginia, 6-2, 315)

A wrestling background is almost a prerequisite for a top-tier center prospect, but Frazier was an elite heavyweight (285-pound weight class). He was a four-time state wrestling champion in West Virginia, while only losing twice (both times as a freshman). Frazier was the first true freshman to start on the offensive line in Morgantown since 1980. He finished as a four-year starter and three-time All-American for the Mountaineers. He started 37 straight games at center before suffering a broken leg in the regular-season finale against Baylor last season. He’s been limited during the draft process as a result of the injury. Frazier is stout, a quick processor and scheme-versatile. He isn’t an elite athlete, but he’s athletic enough and if the three-time team captain gets leverage on a defender, he’s cooked. Frazier was a finalist for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy (Academic Heisman). Projected: Rounds 2-3

— 3. Graham Barton (Sr., Duke, 6-5, 311)

Barton could thrive at both tackle or guard (and possibly center) in the NFL. His arm length is less than prototypical for the tackle position, but 34 of his 39 career starts were at left tackle for the Blue Devils (the rest were at center), and he was chosen second-team All-American his final season in Durham despite missing three games, battling through multiple injuries, including a concussion and left knee sprain. He’s a technically sound, sticky blocker with quickness and competitive tendencies. I’d be mildly surprised if he’s available outside of the first 25 picks. Projected: Round 1

— 4. Jackson Powers-Johnson (Jr., Oregon, 6-3, 328)

The former four-star recruit was a three-year letterman in both baseball and wrestling on top of helping his high school go undefeated (40-0) his final three prep seasons, winning three straight state championships in Utah. Powers-Johnson had only one full season of starting experience for the Ducks, but he managed to become an unanimous All-American and the first-ever Pac-12 player to win the Rimington Award (nation’s top center). He’s smart, tough, strong and his premium skill-set plays at both guard positions and center. Medical evaluations could play a role on where and when Jackson Powers-Johnson is drafted considering he’s suffered multiple concussions. Projected: Rounds 1-2

— 5. Cooper Beebe (Sr., Kansas St., 6-3, 322)

Beebe was a former three-star recruit at defensive tackle before switching to the offensive line shortly after enrolling at Manhattan. He was a consensus first-team All-American, a William V. Campbell Trophy (Academic Heisman) finalist, a Lombardi Award semifinalist and an Outland Trophy finalist for the Wildcats last season. In 48 collegiate starts, the two-time team captain was primarily a left guard, but he also started at both tackle spots. He’s a technician with quick feet and plays with a wide base, but short arms will keep him at guard in the pros. Projected: Round 2

— 6. Christian Haynes (Sr., Connecticut, 6-2, 317)

Haynes was a four-year starting right guard for the Huskies, finishing his career with 49 straight starts. He’s a sturdy, powerful blocker who plays with tremendous physicality. The second-team All-American excels in space and features the athleticism to impact the second level. Haynes is an exceptional puller and zone blocker. He’s a plus-pass protector and a finisher in the run game. He showcased his entire skillset during Senior Bowl week and performed well at the combine. Haynes has played almost exclusively on losing teams dating back to high school, but if you watched him, you’d think the national championship was on the line every snap. Projected: Rounds 2-3

— 7. Tanor Bortolini (Sr., Wisconsin, 6-4, 303)

Bortolini put on one of the more impressive performances for an O-lineman at the combine, where his 40-yard dash (4.94) tied for second and his two agility runs (4.28 short shuttle and 7.16 three-cone) were first — the three-cone mark broke Jason Kelce’s combine-record for interior lineman. On top of the top-tier athleticism, he’s also highly intelligent (recruited by Harvard and Yale), and features premium versatility. He logged starts at five different positions, including center, both guard positions, right tackle and tight end. Bortolini missed five total games in 2021 and 2022 due to injuries to his right knee. Projected: Rounds 2-4

— 8. Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (Jr., Georgia, 6-4, 298)

Van Pran-Granger was the No. 1 center in the 2020 recruiting class (ahead of Peter Skoronski).

He was a two-time team captain for a two-time national champion, and stockpiled All-American and All-SEC accolades while in Athens. He’s a finisher in the run game and features enough athleticism, natural instincts and strength to make an impact in pass protection. Van Pran-Granger is battle-tested and capable of eventually taking on a leadership role for whomever drafts him. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 9. Christian Mahogany (Sr., Boston College, 6-3, 314)

Mahogany is a big, powerful, tone-setting presence on the interior. He has a bully mentality and presents himself as the bouncer of the pocket. The two-time team captain pulls with ease, and is capable of erasing smaller defenders in his way. He may need to learn patience in the pros once he realizes you can’t go for the knockout every play. Mahogany missed his entire junior season after tearing his right ACL over the summer, but he bounced back in a big way, earning first-team All-ACC honors last year. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 10. Mason McCormick (Sr., South Dakota St., 6-4, 309)

A former no-star recruit, McCormick ended up a three-time team captain and two-time consensus All-American in the FCS for the Jackrabbits. He’s durable, starting 57 straight games, all at left guard, and played in 70 total games in college (he’ll be a 24-year-old rookie). McCormick made the pre-snap adjustments for protections at South Dakota St., a responsibility coaches usually give to the center. McCormick’s athletic testing at the combine placed him in the 99th percentile for offensive linemen, and earned him a Relative Athletic Score of 9.96, which is the seventh-best all-time out of over 1,500 guard prospects. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— BONUS: Dominick Puni (Sr., Kansas, 6-5, 313)

A no-star recruit, Puni also lettered in volleyball all four years and joined the track team as a senior in high school. He spent four years at Central Missouri before transferring to Lawrence his final two seasons, where he was chosen All-Big 12 twice and didn’t allow a sack in 25 straight starts. Puni has experience at both tackle positions and left guard. He excels as a run blocker and a move inside would make him an asset in pass pro as well. In Mobile at the Senior Bowl, Puni even took reps at center and held his own. He turned 24 in February. Projected: Rounds 2-3

— BONUS: Isaiah Adams (Sr., Illinois, 6-4, 315)

The Canadian native was a zero-star recruit coming out of high school, but developed into a three-star JUCO recruit at Garden City Community College in Kansas. Adams was a two-year starter for the Illini and was voted team captain his senior season. He was a two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten recipient, but struggled mightily as a pass protector in 2023, allowing nine sacks. He’s made double-digit starts at both left guard and right tackle. Adams features a nasty demeanor on game day, and the size/strength/mobility trifecta NFL teams require on the interior. Projected: Rounds 3-5

— BONUS: Sataoa Laumea (Sr., Utah, 6-4, 319)

The former four-star recruit became a four-year starter with extensive experience at both right guard (18 starts) and right tackle (26 starts). Laumea is a four-time All-Pac-12 honoree who is scheme-versatile as a run blocker with smooth movement skills and natural power. He needs to be more consistent at sustaining blocks in pass pro and can be susceptible to inside moves. Laumea suffered a sprained MCL and multiple concussions in college. Projected: Round 4

— BONUS: Beaux Limmer (Sr., Arkansas, 6-4, 302)

The former three-star recruit was also a competitive power-lifter in high school. It showed at the combine, where he led all participants with 39 bench press reps of 225 pounds. Limmer needs to play with better balance, but he’s athletic, tough and durable with starting experience at both guard positions and center. He’d fit perfectly with any team running Kyle Shanahan’s offense or a variation thereof. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— BONUS: Zak Zinter (Sr., Michigan, 6-5, 309)

Zinter was the No. 10 offensive guard in the 2020 recruiting class. He was also an accomplished track athlete, winning state titles in the discuss and shot put in Massachusetts. Zinter is big, physical and takes smart angles to intercept linebackers at the second-level. He handles his business as a pass protector, but can struggle against speed rushers. Zinter is a three-time All-Big Ten honoree, and was playing really well as a senior (zero sacks allowed) before breaking his leg against Ohio State, which unfortunately sidelined him for the entire draft process. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— BONUS: Hunter Nourzad (Sr., Penn St., 6-3, 317)

Nourzad was a two-time All-Ivy honoree at right tackle for Cornell before transferring to Happy Valley, where he became a two-time All-Big Ten honoree at guard and center. Nourzad is a mauler who gets his kicks punishing anyone attempting to blitz his quarterback. He isn’t an elite athlete, but he’s technically proficient in four of the five offensive line positions. Nourzad turns 25 in November. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— BONUS: Javion Cohen (Sr., Miami, 6-4, 324)

Cohen was a four-star recruit at tackle and was selected for the SEC All-Freshman team as a backup for future first-rounder Alex Leatherhead his first year at Alabama. After three seasons in Tuscaloosa, Cohen transferred to Coral Gables after being selected second-team All-SEC at guard for the Crimson Tide. He earned honorable mention All-ACC honors for the Hurricanes his senior season. Cohen’s size, strength and heavy hands will endear him to most offensive line coaches, but his sustain skills are lacking and he struggles against speed. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— BONUS: Trevor Keegan (Sr., Michigan, 6-5, 310)

Keegan was the No. 16 offensive tackle in the 2019 recruiting class. He was voted captain as a senior and started every game at left guard for the 2023 national champs, while earning All-Big Ten honors in each of his three seasons as a starter. Keegan is an average athlete, but he wears a hard-hat to work and has shown improvement every year at Ann Arbor. He was a key member of a Wolverines’ offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award (nation’s top offensive line) in 2021 and 2022. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— BONUS: Kingsley Eguakun (Sr., Florida, 6-3, 304)

Eguakun features prototypical movement skills for an NFL center. He has below-average length, but he’s well-built otherwise and he shows strength at the point of attack. He has the reputation of a “field general,” but he needs to show more discipline (multiple flags in eight career games). Eguakun missed eight games with a right ankle injury that hindered him his entire senior season. Projected: Rounds 6-7

— BONUS: Andrew Raym (Sr., Oklahoma, 6-4, 314)

Raym was a former four-star recruit, and the No. 2 offensive guard in the 2020 class. He took over starting center duties after Creed Humphrey was drafted in 2021. The three-time All-Big 12 honoree is an average athlete with a high football IQ, and will have to win with technique and toughness in the pros. Projected: Rounds 6-7

— BONUS: Dylan McMahon (Sr., NC State, 6-3, 299)

The former three-star recruit played all three interior positions for the Wolfpack. McMahon made 22 starts at right guard, 14 starts at center and eight starts at left guard. Before his senior season, his position was almost always dictated by another lineman getting hurt, which speaks to McMahon’s durability and adaptability. His lack of size and play strength only makes him viable at center in the pros, but his solid technique, awareness and movement skills will give him a fighting chance. McMahon was No. 63 on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” in 2022. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Brady Latham (Sr., Arkansas, 6-5, 305)

Latham was a four-year starter for the Razorbacks with the vast majority of his experience coming at left guard. He’s physical, tough and technically sound. The senior captain works well with his center or tackle on double-teams and features smooth athleticism. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Jarrett Kingston (Sr., USC, 6-4, 306)

A former three-star recruit, Kingston played five seasons at Washington St. before transferring to Los Angeles. He has enough athletic upside to warrant an opportunity in the pros, where his versatility could be an asset as well. Kingston has starting experience at every position on the offensive line outside of center, and he’s made double-digit starts at left guard (16) and left tackle (10). Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Nick Gargiulo (Sr., South Carolina, 6-5, 318)

After starting at left tackle for two seasons at Yale, coaches asked Gargiulo, a team captain, to move to center prior to the 2022 season in favor of another talented prospect, Kiran Amegadjie. He responded by being selected first-team All-Ivy, before making the rare leap from the Ivy League to the SEC the following season. Gargiulo was voted team captain for the Gamecocks after being in Columbia for a short amount of time, which is another rare feat (voted captain of two programs). Gargiulo has NFL-level athleticism and size. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Matthew Jones (Sr., Ohio St., 6-3, 316)

Jones started a combined 25 games over his final two seasons for the Buckeyes, earning second-team All-Big Ten both years. He primarily played both guard positions during his time in Columbus, but he did start at center in the Cotton Bowl against Missouri. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Matt Lee (Sr., Miami, 6-3, 301)

The Central Florida transfer was a second-team All-ACC center for the Hurricanes last season. Lee has made 48 career starts across two programs at the position. He is undersized (not sure he can stay over 300 pounds), but he thrives in pass-protection and features the movement skills to be a weapon in the screen game and as a puller in the run game. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Jacob Monk (Sr., Duke, 6-3, 308)

The former four-star recruit became a two-time team captain, five-year starter and three-time All-ACC honoree. Monk started 58 games during his collegiate career, with double-digit starts at right guard, right tackle and center. He’s undersized for tackle, but his smooth athleticism, refined technique and football IQ will work on the interior. Monk had the second-best 10-yard split (1.74 seconds) among center prospects at the combine. Projected: Round 7-PFA

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