Pre-Spring Football Position Analysis: Offensive Line
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With apologies to alwaysforGT, I'm going to run with Techbert's idea of starting up some pre-Spring Football discussion. Spring Football practice is just around the corner, so like others here, I'm getting pumped about getting a glimpse of what we'll look like next season. We can discuss OL over the next day or so. Depending on how it goes, I'll put up another position either tomorrow or Monday. Feel free here to add your opinions to mine as well as any additional information you may have.
Offensive Line
Players lost from last year:
Ray Roberts-Blake
Beau Cleland
Listed as Seniors last year but still on roster:
(Here's where someone can help out with some information on these two guys)
Garren Findlay - Started GT in 2001 as a JUCO transfer. I thought he had 2 years to play 2. He was listed as a RS-Senior in last year's Media Guide but is again listed on the roster at Ramblinwreck.com. I don't believe he is playing but I could be wrongo.
Will Hardy - A walk-on that joined the program in 1999. He was also listed as a senior last year and again this year at Ramblinwreck.com.
Additions:
Eddy Parker
Kevin Tuminello
Matthew Rhodes
Position Depth:
RT: Kyle Wallace, Jeremy Phillips, Zeb McHargue
RG: Clay Hartley, Brad Brezina (currently at DT), Matthew Rhodes
C: Hugh Reilly, Andy Tidwell-Neal, Gavin Tarquinio, Kevin Tuminello
LG: Leon Robinson, Salih Besirevic
LT: Nat Dorsey, Brad Honeycutt, Eddy Parker
Comments:
OL should be a position of strength for us next year, at least with the starters. We are returning 4 of 5 starters from the 2002 season. The biggest concern here though has to be our potential lack of quality depth behind them.
At Tackle Dorsey & Wallace return but could get pushed for a starting spot by Jeremy Phillips, if healthy. From listening to Chan at signing day, there are concerns about him getting completely back to form. But from his parents on here, Jeremy is working hard and expects to be a factor in some capacity on the line or as a blocking TE on certain situations. Either way, a healthy Jeremy will definitely be a factor on this OL. Honeycutt & McHargue should also push for time on the 2-deep. Parker projects as a Tackle but should we stay healthy, I'm sure the coaches would like to redshirt him. It has also been discussed that Mansfield Wrotto could project as an OT rather than DT after he gets here but I suspect he'll as least begin as a D-lineman.
At Guard, you can write Leon Robinson's name in as a starter in permanent marker. The other side, at RG, is where things could get interesting. Clay Hartley is the man that has been backing up Ray Blake but don't expect the position to just be given to him. I'm sure there will be some competition for the RG starting position but as yet don't know exactly where it will come from. I had heard before that Brad Brezina may move to the OL and compete for a spot at Guard, but Gailey was non-committal about that kind of change during Signing Day. I have a feeling though that it will happen. If it does, I'd like to see it happen in the first couple days of Spring Practice, so he has as much time as possible to get a grasp of the position. Salih moved over to Guard last year but could obviously play either position. He's another guy that might get a look at RG. Tidwell-Neal could also be a candidate to play Guard if he doesn't want to wait around for another year for Reilly to graduate at the Center position, but techmom65 might be able to help out with that info. I think Matt Rhodes will be a Guard but see him redshirting.
At Center you can pretty much lock Hugh Reilly into the starting role. He's a solid player in his senior year and should be the leader of this line. After him Tidwell-Neal would appear to be the heir apparent. Gavin Tarquinio has battled injuries over the past 2 years but hopefully he'll be healthy in spring and can finally show what he can do. Kevin Tuminello projects as a Center but I'd expect a redshirt is likely from him as well.
I know we have a high number of Offensive Linemen parents that read the board regularly. I'd love for them to add to the discussion and possibly give us some insight we wouldn't otherwise have.
