Top 10 Centers in College Football 2022 Rankings

Ranking College Football’s best Centers of the NCAA 2022-2023 season and the 2023 NFL Draft as John Michael Schmitz leads the way

By admin | January 31, 2023

The success at any level of football starts up front with both the offensive and defensive lines. Teams that have success on offense have strong offensive lines, whereas teams that have strong success on defense have strong defensive lines.

On the offensive line, each of the five positions are key including the man up the middle at center snapping the ball to the quarterback. Last season college football produced one of the top offensive tackles during the 2022 NFL Season in rookie Tyler Linderbaum.

The 2022 NCAA Football group of centers is as good with a strong list of centers landing on the Top 10 College Football Centers 2023 Rankings list.

As you start to look at the best centers from the 2022 Football Season for College Football, John Michael Schmitz ranks among the top of the list. The Minnesota Golden Gophers center is as good as any center in college football while having solid size, strength, and weight.

In addition, Michael Schmitz helped block on one of the best running teams in the country. Joining Michael Schmitz on the Top 10 College Football Centers 2023 Rankings list includes Olusequn Oluwatimi of the Michigan Wolverines, Luke Wypler of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Jarrett Patterson of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Steve Avila of the TCU Horned Frogs. Here is a look at the Top 10 College Football Centers 2023 Rankings:

Honorable Mention

Darrian Dalcourt

School: Alabama Crimson Tide

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

Just missing the Top 10 College Football Centers 2023 Rankings list is the Alabama Crimson Tide center Darren Dalcourt. Dalcourt, who missed time during the 2022 NCAA Football schedule is a big strong physical center who blocked for one of the top football teams in the country.

Over the course of the season, Dalcourt allowed just four quarterback hurries to go along with zero sacks over the six games he appeared in for the Crimson Tide.

Trevor Downing

School: Iowa State Cyclones

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

Only question mark that is present for the Iowa State Cyclones center Trevor Downing is does he have the experience to make the move to the NFL at the center position?

Downing, who played the majority of right tackle with the Cyclones made the move to the center position last season during the team’s appearance in the Cheez-It Bowl game after losing their starting center.

Despite the lack of reps at the position, Downing was strong this season allowing just one sack and four quarterback hits over the course of the entire 2022 Football schedule.

Top 10 Centers in College Football

10. Zach Frazier

School: West Virginia Mountaineers

NFL Draft Status: Returning to West Virginia Mountaineers in 2023

Landing at number 10 on the Top 10 College Football Centers 2023 Rankings list is the West Virginia Mountaineers center Zach Frazier. With no real statistic to measure centers on, it makes it difficult to rank each outside of watching game film of each.

On film, Frazier is one of the best centers in football, and one that is expected to be highly coveted during next year’s NFL draft as he is set to return for another season with the Mountaineers.

Over the course of the season, Frazier allowed just seven quarterback hurries and three sacks while being named as one of the best centers within the Big 12.

9. Dylan McMahon

School: NC State Wolfpack

NFL Draft Status: Returning to NC State Wolfpack in 2023

Like Zach Frazier, Dylan McMahon is another top tier center within College Football that will be returning for the 2023 NCAA Football season.

Despite being just a sophomore, McMahon has both the size and strength to produce at the center position which was on full display over the course of the 2022 Football season.

While McMahon spent time at right guard, the center position was his stronger position while allowing just one sack during the season to go along with just two quarterback hits.

8. Warren Ericson

School: Georgia Bulldogs

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

When you are a part of a team that wins back-to-back National Championships and rank among the best offenses in the NFL it makes it easier to understand there is a ton of talent on that team.

That is the case with the Georgia Bulldogs who continue to dominate as one of the best football teams in the country.

One member of that team that helped lead to the success of their offense is center Warren Ericson who has made the announcement he will be entering the 2023 NFL Draft. Erickson allowed zero sacks over the course of the 2022 NCAA Football schedule and no quarterback hurries.

7. Ricky Stromberg

School: Arkansas Razorbacks

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

The SEC ranks among the best positions within all of College Football, and the play of each team helps develop top tier caliber players.

One of those players that is expected to be one of the first of his positions to be drafted during the 2023 NFL season is Ricky Stromberg.

Stromberg was as good as any center in college football, allowing zero sacks over the course of 12 games this year while also allowing zero quarterback hits.

Over the past three seasons, Stromberg has allowed just four total sacks while anchoring the middle of the Arkansas Razorbacks offensive line.

6. Steve Avila

School: TCU Horned Frogs

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

If you are looking for a big strong physical center, you don’t have to look far as Steve Avila is one of the best among the center positions.

Avila, who ranks among the best centers in College Football, was one piece of a very good TCU Horned Frogs team that made a run at the National Championship.

Avila, who sits between 330 and 335 pounds allowed zero sacks over the course of the 2022 NCAA Football season to go along with just eight quarterback hurries. While Avila spent time at the guard position, the Horned Frogs senior ranks better as a center.

5. Alex Forsyth

School: Oregon Ducks

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

Rounding out the top five on the Top 10 College Football Centers 2023 Rankings list is the Oregon Ducks center Alex Forsyth.

Despite lacking playing time since arriving with the Ducks, Forsyth displayed his tremendous talent and strength this past season at the center position.

While Forsyth may lack the strength and power as other centers on the list, his athletic talent and understanding of the position helps him excel at the position while also finding ways to get into the second level.

4. Jarrett Patterson

School: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

The fifth-year senior center for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish elected to return for the 2022 NCAA Football schedule, something that should reward him during the 2023 NFL Draft.

Jarrett Patterson ranks among the Top 10 centers in College Football and should hear his name called with a few of the other top centers entering the NFL Draft.

The Fighting Irish center allowed just one quarterback hit and zero sacks this past season to go along with no sacks over the past three seasons. Patterson has the size and strength to be an excellent center or offensive guard at the next level.

3. Luke Wypler

School: Ohio State Buckeyes

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

One of the few underclassman centers to opt for the 2023 NFL Draft, Luke Wypler is well deserving of the mention with the other top centers in College Football.

Wypler displayed great footwork while also being a great run blocker while finding ways to get to the second level of blocks.

In 25 games over the past two seasons the Ohio State Buckeyes center was exceptional at the position while keeping C.J. Stroud upright and clean. Over those 25 games, Wypler allowed just one quarterback hit and zero sacks.

2. Olusegun Oluwatimi

School: Michigan Wolverines

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

Sliding into the number two spot while also being a strong candidate for the overall top spot is the Michigan Wolverines center Olusegun Oluwatimi.

Oluwatimi is coming off his best season as a starter for the Wolverines after transferring to the program from the Virginia Cavaliers.

Oluwatimi finished the season taking home the Outland Trophy as the Nations Best Interior Lineman as well as the Rimington Trophy as the best center in College Football.

Oluwatimi has tremendous size, power and speed to get him out front of blocks while also having the quickness to react to defensive players attempting to use stunts and twists on point of contact.

1. John Michael Schmitz

School: Minnesota Golden Gophers

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

The Minnesota Golden Gophers ranked among the best teams in all of College Football in rushing. Much of that success comes up front with the team’s offensive line that also includes John Michael Schmitz at the center position.

The senior center is coming off allowing just one quarterback hit, two sacks, and five quarterback hurries during the 2022 NCAA Football season.

His play on the field and his potential has Michael Schmitz ranked among the best centers in all of College Football.

How would you rank the Best College Centers in the 2022-2023 BCS season? Rank below to be added in the NCAA Power Rankings