Hoo Preview 2014: Offensive Line

2013FB_duke_esmith001b
Eric Smith started eight games as a true freshman last season. ~ Mike Ingalls

Injuries have affected practice for the offensive line throughout the offseason. The Cavaliers worked with fewer bodies in the spring and then saw several injuries during August training camp as well. For a unit already thin with various recruiting and attrition issues, it has made finding the right combination of five front men even more difficult.

With the season opener against UCLA just days away, the season’s first depth chart featured some last-minute shuffling as a result. The moves came on the interior where Ross Burbank returned to the starting center spot after practicing most of the offseason as the expected starter at right guard. Burbank opened the 2013 schedule as the starting center, but eventually gave way to Luke Bowanko (who was drafted by the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars). Burbank’s move shifted Conner Davis back to right guard, where he started last season’s opener as well.

The original center candidates are all listed on the second line of the depth chart. Jackson Matteo is now a back-up at left tackle, while Cody Wallace is second at left guard. Eric Tetlow is behind Burbank at center. All of those players saw some game action in 2013, but none held down regular duty. The remaining two back-ups on the season-opening depth chart are Jack McDonald (right guard) and Sean Karl (right tackle). Both of those players. McDonald is a redshirt freshman, while Karl is a redshirt sophomore that saw very limited snaps in 2013.

The rest of the first team line alongside Burbank and Davis held true to the expectations during training camp. Michael Mooney rose to the top of the chart at left tackle after a strong spring and the move of several pieces in front of him. Sadiq Olanrewaju is on the injury list, while Davis moved to the right side of the line. Mooney is drawing praise from his teammates and coaches for good strength and improvement as his first career start looms. He has just 47 offensive plays under his belt.

...