2019 Preseason All-American Projections: Centers

By Charlie Campbell
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Heading into the 2019 college football season WalterFootball.com will debut our projections for the nation’s leaders during the fall. The All-American teams always have some surprises and the stars of next fall could be the headlining players next April in the 2020 NFL Draft.

First-Team Center: Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin

Biadasz played well for Wisconsin in 2018, opening a lot of holes at the point of attack and being steady in pass protection. After redshirting in 2016, Biadasz broke into the starting lineup and performed very well for the Badgers. Biadasz was a tough run blocker who helped open a lot of holes for Jonathan Taylor. Biadasz could be better in 2019 and will enjoy having Taylor to play off of him again. The Badgers should produce lots of big rushing totals once again, and their reputation for offensive line play will help Biadasz to be selected for lots of postseason honors.

Second-Team Center: Jake Hansen, Oregon

Hansen has been a solid and dependable interior blocker for Oregon, but he has room for improvement. Hansen could stand to improve his strength for the NFL, but he’s reliable inside blocker who made 34 straight starts before a targeting penalty ended the streak. Hansen shouldn’t go unnoticed as the center for star quarterback Justin Herbert. There also is other pro talent on the Ducks’ offensive line who will help Hansen as a unit. He looks like a top candidate to earn lots of postseason honors this year.

Third-Team Center: Nick Harris, Washington

Harris (6-1, 302) is a tough center for the Huskies who does a solid job of protecting the quarterback and contributing to the running game. He was a First-Team All-Pac-12 selection as a junior for manning the middle of the Huskies line. In 2017, he played right guard. Harris has talent around him, so he should continue to play well as a senior. Harris was put on NFL teams’ preseason watch list for the 2020 NFL Draft, and one team had him with a projection as a late-round pick or undrafted free agent.

Honorable Mentions: Alabama’s Alex Leatherwood, Washington State’s Frederick Mauigoa, Mississippi State’s Darryl Williamsn and Louisville’s T.J. McCoy.