The Auburn Tigers are poised to return to the national spotlight in 2025, and having a strong anchor on the offensive line could lead them to reach the goal.
Connor Lew returns to lead an experienced offensive line after posting strong all-around numbers as the team’s primary center in 2024. His ability to set up plays, all while dominating opposing defensive lines, is why he is considered to be one of the nation’s best at his position. In Lindy’s Sports College Football National Preview magazine, Lew is listed among the best centers in the country at No. 6, and is one of four SEC centers to make the cut. Lew lands behind fellow SEC centers Jake Slaughter of Florida and Alabama’s Parker Brailsford, and is two-spots ahead of Georgia’s Drew Bobo.
Lindy’s points out Lew’s willingness to gain knowledge by pointing out that he joined several spring meetings to better understand the game, which is a strong indication that he is poised for an even better season in 2025. In 748 snaps at center, Lew allowed nine quarterback pressures, which was the second-lowest among active linemen (Jeremiah Wright- 8). He also gave up just one sack, which was the lowest among the offensive line.
His 79.9 pass-blocking grade from PFF is the best among returning offensive linemen, and the second-highest among overall returners (Damari Alston- 81.1). Lew also led active Auburn offensive linemen in overall grade (75.7) and run blocking (73.4).
Lew is set to anchor a quality offensive line that includes Dillon Wade, Jeremiah Wright, and Izavion Miller as returners, as well as Mason Murphy and Xavier Chaplin from the transfer portal. Wright, Wade, and Miller combined to play 2,175 snaps on the offensive line last season, with Wade spreading his snap total across three positions: left tackle, left guard, and right tackle. Wade is projected to move back inside to guard, which will allow Murphy and Chaplin to occupy the tackle slots.
Auburn’s wide receiver room is among the best in the nation, and the Tigers landed a quality quarterback in Jackson Arnold from the transfer portal in the offseason. For all jobs to run smoothly, the offensive line must play at a high level with limited mistakes. Auburn will be in great shape as long as Lew leads the charge.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn football: Lindy’s includes Connor Lew among top centers
