Though their work is vital, linemen work in obscurity. Know this, however: the funniest, smartest, most interesting dudes in the sports universe play on the offensive line.
They do the dirty work. Finally in the age of NIL they no longer have to do it dirt cheap, but gnarled fingers and rolled-up-on knees come with the job. Along the way though they form a brotherhood. They hang out, eat together, play golf, execute season-long running jokes and rag on each other mercilessly.
Because they are invariably smart, funny guys, most offensive linemen marry way out of their league. Keep the washboard abs--what woman doesn't want a tough guy with a soft heart who can wrap her completely in his arms?
JPJ is a lineman's lineman. He loves his unit and he's an absolute rock on the field. In his true freshman year the Ducks ran out of bodies on the defensive line and Jackson moved over to defensive tackle for the bowl game. "I love football and I'll play wherever," he said, "Honestly, it's really up to my mom, whatever my mom wants. No, whatever they want me to do, I'll do. If they want me to play quarterback, I'll go play quarterback."
Bo Nix's job is safe for now, but Powers-Johnson has rocked every position on the o-line in his two years as a Duck, logging 23 games with four starts. Veteran center Alex Forsyth got hurt and he filled in at center. Reliable guard Ryan Walk went down and JPJ slid over to guard. He's played tackle. And defensive tackle.
The results were pretty terrific. The Men of the Oregon Trenches allowed just five sacks last season (fewest in the nation) while the running game racked up 2,805 yards and 34 touchdowns (3rd in the PAC-12). Jackson was recognized as the highest-graded guard in the conference.
This season the cerebral, ultimate leader Forsyth has finished his five-year stint in Eugene, so JPJ inherits the mantle as the quarterback of the offensive line, the full-time starter at center. He'll make the line calls, check protections, audible, and take responsibility for seeing they work as one unit with one goal.Highest graded returning Pac-12 Offensive Lineman💪 pic.twitter.com/HjZ8g9f9m4
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 8, 2023
While appearing as a guest on the Mental Sweat Podcast he said, "I just wanna have a great year, play with my guys. Our biggest thing we're focusing on, we want to win the Joe Moore. To do that, I can't really be thinking about how I play, I need to be thinking about how WE play. Every time we walk up to the line it's got to be 'five as one.'''
Football fans naturally follow the ball. It's impossible not to root for the plucky and resourceful Nix, or the Human Pinball Bucky Irving, or the wiry acrobatic Troy Franklin. But at least on the replays, watch Jackson Powers-Johnson. Take note of the technique and the courage, and appreciate his humility and love of the game.
“5 guys seeing everything through 1 set of eyes” showed up a lot on tape last year for Oregon’s OL pic.twitter.com/jajmiK7d8N
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) June 14, 2023
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