Head Coach Neal Brown has voiced significant concerns regarding the North Texas Mean Green offensive line as the team prepares for the upcoming 2026 season. Following a recent practice, Brown stated, "They’re not anywhere close to being what we need them to be right now," highlighting issues such as softness in the run game and poor pad level.
The offensive line played a crucial role in North Texas' successful 2025 season, contributing to the team achieving the highest number of rushing touchdowns in the nation (49) and being recognized as the top-scoring offense. Key players from last season included offensive guard Gabe Blair, who was named a First Team All-American Conference selection and ranked as the third-highest guard by Pro Football Focus.
With the departure of all five starting offensive linemen from the previous year, the team is now facing the challenge of rebuilding the unit. Brown noted that only two players, senior Johnny Williams IV and fifth-year Chandler Strong, have shown promise during fall camp, with Strong being recognized as the standout performer.
Brown emphasized the urgency of finding the right combination of players, 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."
He indicated that all positions on the line are open for competition, regardless of scholarship status, as the coaching staff seeks to establish a physically dominant group ahead of their first game on September 5.
