CHARLOTTE — Offensive linemen pride themselves on being protectors. It's a job not taken lightly, serving as the wall that surrounds a quarterback, often the first, last, and only line of defense between the passer and the rusher intent on destroying him.

It's far from a thankless job. Entire movies have been made about the concept and importance of someone protecting a quarterback's blind side, and as quarterbacks progress in offensive styles that allow them to move the pocket either way, both left and right tackles have found an equally important role.

What must it be like, though, knowing someone is putting their safety, their life, in your hands? Football is a physical sport, but there is an extra layer of vulnerability when a passer must completely trust that someone else is being vigilant on their behalf.

And for those actually playing the position, what kind of mental strain does that create?

"How much quarterbacks depend on you," answered Austin Barber, the Florida Gator's left tackle, as to the biggest hurdle a tackle has to overcome when stepping on the field. "You're the quarterback's third eye. You're the guy that has to protect and keep him safe."

Barber was one of several tackles on hand Saturday, the final day of media at the 2026 NFL combine. At the end of a long week, the podium room was quieter, the press conferences more sparse, and the ability to immerse oneself in what makes a prospect tick was easier. That's the kind of quiet reflection that behooves an offensive lineman, especially a tackle.

There is little flash in their game. The trenches are dirty work, and if you hear their name, chances are something went wrong. But theirs is arguably one of the toughest jobs on game days, if not simply for the fact that so much responsibility for others rests on their shoulders.

As this crop of tackle prospects prepares for the NFL, where everyone is faster, stronger, and tougher, the level of responsibility is becoming increasingly intense.

"The left tackle, you have to be locked in," noted Alabama left tackle Kalyn Proctor. "I know that I'm protecting his blind side, and I have to be on my stuff every game so that the past QBs that I played with can go out there and succeed, and do their best."

Some deal with the stress by staying focused on what is directly in front of them, such as a speedy edge-rusher.

"The biggest mental hurdle to playing tackle is when we have a big-time matchup because there are teams with really good edge rushers," said Duke right tackle Brian Parker. "Play the next play. If you're a good athlete, they're a good athlete, you're not going to win every rep. Obviously, we all want to, but you can't let one bad play turn into a bad drive or a bad game."

Added Notre Dame right tackle Aamil Wagner, "I think the biggest mental hurdle is you're knowing you're going against elite athletes where the slightest mistake can get you beat. The guys that you play against, they can run 4.4s, 4.5s, they can get off the ball fast, they can do whatever they can, they would leap in, and so like it's almost a sense to be perfect every rep."

For reference, five edge rush prospects at this weekend's NFL Combine ran a 4.5 or lower, with Ohio State Arvell Reese clocking in with the fastest time at the position (4.46).

Others deal with the stress by not thinking of it all once on the field. Preparation, technique, and instinct take over.

"I mean, it's just another position on the offensive line. You really can't focus on that too much," explained Proctor. "You just got to focus on the task at hand, and it comes to preparation. I feel really comfortable going out there through the preparation that I have throughout the week, and that's what gets me ready for the game."

"Honestly, I kind of try not to think about it," laughed Ole Miss left tackle Diego Pounds. "But that is an important position because of the quarterback's blind side, so it's just like, they got a lot of trust in you that they can throw you out there at left tackle, so you better not mess up."

Still, some prefer to fully take on all the stress that comes with the job, knowing how much they are being depended on and what that means once the ball is snapped.

"The bigger the crown, the greater the staff," preached Barber. "Tackles are the most important on the field."

Echoed Wagner, "You just trust your technique, just trust what you're prepared for and trust in the game plan."

Just like the tackle must trust in their game plan, the quarterback must trust in their tackles. Important feels to cheap a word to describe the position that can not only be the difference between a play's success or failure, but between a quarterback's safety or their detriment.

So Austin Barber uses a different word.

"I just think it's a blessing. I'm able to play this game; a lot of people aren't able to play this game. I get the ability to, at a high level, and that's what just helps me get through this; the ups and downs of football and the ups and downs of playing tackle. You're in this job for a reason and the responsibilities for it."