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Big Ten film guru names the best 2026 freshman lineman he's seen

Behind good protection, Brock Thomas throws a pass in the Oregon Spring Game for the Fighting Ducks. O-line coach A'lique Terry has to identify three new starters for the Ducks to achieve high expectations this season.
Behind good protection, Brock Thomas throws a pass in the Oregon Spring Game for the Fighting Ducks. O-line coach A'lique Terry has to identify three new starters for the Ducks to achieve high expectations this season. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Landon Tengwall was a four-star recruit in 2021 who started five games as a redshirt freshman at Penn State in 2022. When concussion problems ended his playing career, he turned to broadcasting, hosting "The Landon Tengwall Show" on Youtube.

Tengwall's film breakdowns are entertaining and precise. Monday afternoon, he posted one on Tommy Tofi, whom he calls "the most dominant true freshman lineman in college football."

Tofi, 6-6, 330, is a four-star freshman from Archbishop Riordan in San Francisco. He enrolled early at UO and made an immediate impression in spring practice, already competing for a spot on the two-deep or even a starting assignment.

"I have never seen an offensive lineman in my entire life, for me playing of of all across college football, ever play four positions in one spring game and let alone a true freshman doing that," Tengwall said. "That just tells you show much trust A'lique Terry has in Tommy Tofi."

"Tofi's hands in pass protection are better than the majority of the offensive linemen that I studied for this 2026 draft. I mean that."

"His run game is nasty."

Tengwall likes Tofi's ability to move people off the ball, even working against elite defensive tackles like Bear Alexander and a rapidly improving second unit that included Matthew Johnson.

Tofi flashes elite size, athletic ability and technique, advanced for a freshman

He's proven himself to be a quick study, working four different positions after 15 practices and three months in the weight room, using his hands well and getting into the defender's chest with a quick, powerful strike.

Tofi handled stunts well, and his early progress puts Terry in a great position. Already the Ducks are showing the depth and competitiveness to reload the offensive line and replace three starters, each headed to the NFL, Alex Harkey at right tackle, Emmanuel Pregnon at left guard and Isaiah World at left tackle.

What's even more encouraging is that five-star Immanuel Iheanacho isn't even on campus yet. He arrives in June. He's a beast of a man at 6-7, 345, a two-time Under Armour All-American.

The competition in the room will help Terry hone an elite starting five. These guys will push each other, and then they'll push Big Ten defenses past the chains.

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