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Ranking the 50 best college football players for 2016

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans offensive tackle Zach Banner (73) celebrates during a NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans offensive tackle Zach Banner (73) celebrates during a NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

When you think of elite offensive linemen in college football, you picture an immovable object who makes it nearly impossible for defenders to penetrate into the backfield. USC’s Zach Banner has that ability and he has probably the most impressive size of any offensive tackle in the entire country.

Standing about 6-foot-8, 275 pounds, Banner looks to be the Trojans’ top offensive lineman this season along with returning left tackle Chad Wheeler. Clay Helton will have the luxury of being able to run a pass or run play without having to worry about the protection from the outside of creating a hole between the tackles.

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Banner is a former five-star prospect who got to campus in 2012 and redshirted in his first year. The next season he was primarily a backup and played in just two games early on before missing the rest of the season after hip surgery sidelined him.

Entering his sophomore year in 2014, the expectations were fairly high and lived up to the hype as he was named to the Sophomore All-American team as an honorable mention selection, starting all 13 games.

The big offensive tackle has put together 27 consecutive starts after 14 more in 2015 — 12 at right tackle and two at left tackle. He could very well play left tackle at the next level, but that position is filled currently by Wheeler.

USC is going to have no trouble passing or running the ball this year with Wheeler and All-American Banner as the two bookends on the line.

Next: 30. Greg Ward Jr.

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