Current Ol Players, Juco's, Ot/og

[Charlie NT 73]

I reviewed the OL roster from MeanGreenSports.com this afternoon.

I counted 14 players listed. Take out the 3 centers, Kelvin Drake, JJ Johnson

and Brian Glass, that leaves 11 OL guys. Out of these 11, there are 4 players

that saw action last year: OT Mathew Menard, SO; OG Tyler Bailey, JR; OT

Esteban Santiago, SO; OL/OG/Center Chad Rose, SR. Another OL guy, Victor

Gill, SO, was used mainly as a TE. Out of the next 7 players, OT Jacob Kaiser

and OT Matt Tomlinson are coming off red shirts, and have the best chance

to play in 2008. The remaining 5 players are 2nd year guys or walk-ons.

Well, the way I see the OL, most of the starters will be back. The number one

position open is RT (Venagas and Peachey handled this last year, but both are

gone). I see Menard at LT, Bailey at LG, Santiago at RG, and JUCO Nate Jenkins

at RT ( assuming he shows up). I do think, true freshman Troy Franklin has a

good shot at this RT position, as well as R-S Matt Tomlinson. For Kaiser, I think

he will B/U at LT for Menard. Guards, I do not see Bailey or Santiago getting beat

out by JUCO HOLLIVAY, or by Rose. Both Hollivay and Rose will be 2nd team.

Over all, the OT/OG positions will have some depth, some experienced players,

and options. The real postion battles start with 2 a days, and will be fun to see

how each position plays out. IMHO, the OL may just end up being better than

we think. Suprise prediction, Franklin makes the 2 deep chart at RT.

[Harry]

My lineup is Drake, Santiago, Bailey, Menard and have no idea who will end up at the other tackle. The OL unit will be improved but still lacks size, numbers and depth. I think Johnson and Tomlinson are two that we need to grow up fast. I have a hard time counting on the JUCO's until they get here.

[Guest 97and03]

I doubt Hollivay was brought in to be a back-up.

[Censored by Laurie]

Left to right across the line: Jenkins - Santiago - Drake - Hollivay - Menard; with Rose and Bailey serving as versitile back-ups and Tomlinson working his way slowly in at tackle.

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

If they are as advertised, and both qualify for the coming season, then I think that both Jenkins and Hollivay start. Drake, if recovered, is a lock and so is Santiago. Bailey can play both tackle and guard. So here is my best guess....Drake at Center, Santiago and Hollivay at the guards and Jenkins and the winner between Bailey and Menard at the tackles.

The second unit is a little harder. Johnson is pretty easy as the backup center and Rose will can be a backup anywhere but probably at guard. If Bailey does not start at tackle then he may be shifted back to guard and be on the second unit. I see Tomlinson at one tackle but it's too early to tell on the other. If Gill has gained sufficient weight to play tackle, then I see him on the second unit. If he has not then I see him in special situations starting as a TE/OT in the Tornado formation. That should put Kaiser in as the second unit backup at tackle.

If all of these things happen, then both Franklin and incoming walkon McMillan could be redshirted and Franklin moved to the defense since we lose two starters at DT after this year. Of the top ten offensive linemen, only Rose is a senior.

Edited April 4, 2008 by GrayEagleOne

[NCMeanGreen]

I doubt Hollivay was brought in to be a back-up.

Yes, my thoughts as well...

[NTPhiKap99]

Yes, my thoughts as well...

You've still got to win the job on the field though. Even before he got hurt last year Montgomery wasn't looking too good sometimes it takes guys some time to adjust. I assume both Jenkins and Hollivay will start too but missing this spring may hold them back until the can catch up with the speed of the game.

[SUMG]

After seeing him on video (at the signing day function)....I really think that incoming freshman, Coleman Feeley....is gonna be one heckuva player. If not redshirted.....he would definitely be second team material...at least.

[nautique]

I hope those OL man from Mississippi can play. We need that kind of size to keep our Qb from getting killed and to ESTABLISH a running game to keep the defense honest.