50 Best of the Non-BCS: Number 7
#7: LT Zane Beadles, Utah
The Verdict: There were a lot of reasons for Utah's dominance during the 2008 college football season. Certainly the defense was one of them, while Utah's offense - led by quarterback Brian Johnson and a trio of talented wideouts - was another. But often lost in the shuffle of the Utes' perfect season is the play of the offensive line. Any conversation regarding Utah's superb offensive line play has to start with the left tackle position, where massive 6-foot-4, 308-pound senior Zane Beadles holds down the fort. Not only did Beadles lead the Utes with 42 pancakes and 27 cut blocks in 2008, but the left tackle held the conference's best pass rusher - TCU's Jerry Hughes - sackless during Utah's win over the Horned Frogs. A First-Team All-MWC conference selection a season ago, Beadles plays with tremendous footwork and leverage, and has the quickness to disrupt even the most skilled and deceptive pass rushers in the conference. He's more than just a pass blocker however, and has the ability to block in space on zone read plays. A darkhorse candidate to win the Lombardi Award, Beadles could move into first-day draft consideration if he has another stellar year in 2009.
