Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Marshall Football: 2011 offensive line preview

As we inch closer to Marshall’s first game at WVU on September 3rd the Marshall Thundering Blog is breaking down the Herds roster position by position. Today will focus on the offensive line.

*Editors note – I have decided to abandon the best / worst case scenario format. The previews did not read well in current and future tense. Instead, I will just preview each position.

2010 Stats:

Sacks allowed – 13 (tied for second fewest in C-USA)

Passing yards per game – 217.1 (9th in C-USA)

Rushing yards per game – 97.2 (11TH IN C-USA)

Departed:

Erik Vint

Landis Provancha

Chad Schofield

Brandon Campbell

Returning/Incoming:

Josue Joseph, freshman

Grady Kerr, redshirt freshman

Chris jaspers, redshirt freshman

David Rumley, junior

James Allen, redshirt freshman

Chris Bowers, redshirt junior

John Bruhin, redshirt senior

Anthony Spano, freshman

Trevor Mendelson, redshirt freshman

Corey Tenney, redshirt sophomore

Sebastian Johansson, freshman

Ryan Tillman, redshirt senior

Alex Schooler, redshirt sophomore

C.J Wood, senior

Garrett Scott, sophomore

Jordan Jefferies, redshirt sophomore

Josh Lovell, redshirt freshman

2011 Preview:

Last season the offensive line was a major sore spot for Marshall University. On numerous occasions head coach Doc Holliday openly questioned the o-lines desire and toughness. The good news is a majority of Marshall’s 2010 offensive line has graduated, the bad news is inexperienced underclassman are poised to take their place.

Seniors Ryan Tillman, C.J Wood, and John Bruhin will anchor an otherwise young offensive line. Tillman returns to his customary spot at left tackle while Wood and Bruhin could be playing new roles. After missing two seasons with a debilitating back injury Bruhin has been moved from center to right guard. The move was made to ease the load on Bruhin’s aching back. If Bruhin stays healthy you can expect Wood to play right tackle. On the other hand, if Bruhin is not able to go Wood could slide into his spot while underclassman Corey Tenney or Josh Lovell play tackle.

Speaking of underclassman a minimum of two will start along the offensive line. Redshirt freshman Chris Jaspers has been penciled in as the starting center. Jaspers, a former walk on, has been taking first team reps during practice but has been pushed by fellow redshirt freshman James Allen, junior Chris Bowers, and true freshman Anthony Spano. Sophomores Garrett Scott and Alex Schooler are battling to start at left guard.

Depth should be young but plentiful along the Herd’s offensive line. Besides the returning players who will not start Marshall added three scholarship freshman to its latest recruiting class, Josue Joseph, Sebastian Johansson, and Spano.

Next Preview: Defensive line

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