As the North Texas Mean Green prepares for the 2026 season, Head Coach Neal Brown has expressed serious concerns about the offensive line's current state. Following a recent practice, he remarked, "They’re not anywhere close to being what we need them to be right now," pointing to issues such as a lack of toughness in the run game and inadequate pad level.
The offensive line was pivotal in North Texas' successful 2025 season, contributing to a national high of 49 rushing touchdowns and earning recognition as the top-scoring offense. Key players from that season included offensive guard Gabe Blair, who received First Team All-American Conference honors and was ranked the third-best guard by Pro Football Focus.
With the departure of all five starters from last year, the team now faces the challenge of rebuilding. Only two players, senior Johnny Williams IV and fifth-year Chandler Strong, have shown promise during fall camp, with Strong being noted as the standout performer.
Brown emphasized the need for a solid lineup, stating, "Unfortunately, they don’t let you play college football with two offensive linemen, so we’ve got some work to do in that room." All positions are open for competition as the coaching staff aims to form a physically dominant offensive line ahead of their first game on September 5.
Brown warned that without significant improvement, the team could struggle this season.
