Yes indeedy! people fixate on the so-called ‘skill positions’ while ignoring just how critical the Oline is. To be expected since the the O line rarely gets attention unless they commit a penalty or give up a sack. But all those super star QBs and RBs wouldn’t be squat without a good O line. And Penn State is a great example of that. We have had good running backs the several,years but they got hit in the backfield, beat up, and gun shy by game four. Even todays backs of Singleton and Allen would struggle with the line of two years ago.
While not considered a skill position, it does almost always take a couple years to develop a quality O lineman. Part of that is just strength and power. A 22 yr old is just naturally stronger than one of 18. But learning technique is huge. Instead of just power and bulk, O line play takes tremendous skill. When a 290 pounder that is quick as a cat the tackle needs great footwork, balance, reflexes to adjust to the repertoire of pass rushes that change in half a second. The use of hands, legs, the head, shoulders, arms all to get leverage or restrict your opponent’s movements. The hand battles are worthy of martial arts experts and, in fact, many linemen work with MMA experts to improve their hand skills.
If I were head coach, I would scour the planet to have the best O line in the game. Concentrate on that first and then get those future super stars. I believe that is how Alabama and Ohio State have always down it. ND, Mich, USC also. Look at how many QBs from these teams were up for Heisman but never blossomed in the pros.
The bottom line…..it’s the O line.