Position Group Rankings Part 4 - Offensive Line

[BillySee58]

Losses: T Michael Banogu, G Micah Thompson

Top Returners: SR C Kaydon Kirby, SR G Sam Rice, SO T Chris Miles, SO T Jordan Murray

Additions: JUCO T Cody Hayes, JUCO G TJ Henson, HS T Chandler Anthony

Other returning scholarship players: SR T Ryan Rentfro, SR T Connor Trussell, SR OL Garrett Gunter, JR T Harrison Sorge, JR G Dominick Walker, SO G Avery Fortenberry, SO C Creighton Barr, FR Elex Woodworth, FR T Chett Munden

Last year we broke in a lot of new o-linemen as we replaced 4 starters, 3 of which were four-year starters. We knew going in that this unit would suffer some rookie mistakes. While they weren't exactly a strength, they were a group that played pretty well at times and gained a lot of experience.

Our offense had success running the ball, and while a big part of that was the guys running the ball, the offensive line did a decent job in the run game, including an impressive 180-yard performance against Iowa. Personally I think they need to do a better job getting up to the second level, but they did a pretty good job of at least creating a crease.

In the passing game they still have plenty of room to improve. The individuals weren't that bad in big-on-big, one-on-one protection. Where the struggles came were with blitz pickups and stunts. Also had quite a few sacks that were mainly on the receivers and QBs.

As for the players, we have a good mix of experience and talent. Kaydon Kirby (35 starts) and Sam Rice (18 starts) have 53 combined starts on the FBS level, including Rice's time at SMU. Soph tackle Chris Miles was as heavily recruited as any player we signed in Mccarney's five classes, and his al-CUSA freshman selection backed that up. Soph tackle Jordan Murray also started some games, as did Soph center Creighton Barr at the end in place of Kirby.

Barr will probably be a candidate to move over and start at right guard, as he is likely to compete with JUCO transfer TJ Henson and possibly others like RS FR Elex Woodworth and former Texas Tech lineman Trey Keenan. A very intriguing position battle may happen in the fall if Cody Hayes comes in as advertised, and competes to push Jordan Murray. That competition is going to be very important, IMO.

This one was really a toss up between offensive line and the position group I rated just below them. It really could go either way, but I expect a big improvement from a group that didn't play that bad last year.

Position Group Rank: 2nd

 

[MEANGREENCOACH2]

What was the deal with Jordan Murray being suspended for a game this past year?  Never heard any news about that.  

[GOMG2013]

1 hour ago, MEANGREENCOACH2 said:

What was the deal with Jordan Murray being suspended for a game this past year?  Never heard any news about that.  

Probably one of those chico suspensions for not having a positive attitude.

[GangGreen]

4 hours ago, GOMG2013 said:

Probably one of those chico suspensions for not having a positive attitude.

Yes, but if he would have got up in Chico's face and told him he should be starting, the suspension would have been waived.

[TreeFiddy]

6 hours ago, MEANGREENCOACH2 said:

What was the deal with Jordan Murray being suspended for a game this past year?  Never heard any news about that.  

I wonder if it was because he wore a fanny pack to practice. 

[GrandGreen]

Should be much improved with a handful of players that saw significant playing time last year and a couple of heralded jucos coming in.   Vito rated Kirby as best player on the team and he will be starting his fourth year.  Add Rice and Miles as returning starters with Barr and Murray also starting some games.  

The offensive line could be a relative strength this year.  Mac never played a lot of offensive linemen despite his continued stated plan to do so and his heavy recruitment numbers of offensive linemen.   It has basically been for offensive linemen, either start early or get used to the bench.   It will be interesting to see if some of the upper class men that have been bypassed can contribute.  

[BillySee58]

21 minutes ago, GrandGreen said:

The offensive line could be a relative strength this year.  Mac never played a lot of offensive linemen despite his continued stated plan to do so and his heavy recruitment numbers of offensive linemen.   It has basically been for offensive linemen, either start early or get used to the bench.   It will be interesting to see if some of the upper class men that have been bypassed can contribute.  

Relative strength is a great way to put it. Doing these rankings, offensive line and defensive back look like two of our stronger units. Whether or not they stack up favorably with our conference mates and can win us games remains to be seen. Especially coming off a 1-win season.

Also very true about Mccarney. Fun fact about the high school offensive line signees during the Mccarney era; Micah Thompson was the only one to become a full-time starter AFTER his freshman year, as he started as a senior last year. We have to do a better job of developing these guys.