Three years ago, with just a week remaining in fall camp, Al Groh lamented that he had “2½” offensive linemen. That is not the case this year. Even with the loss of All-American guard Elton Brown and three-year starting center Zac Yarbrough, the UVa offensive line may be deeper and more talented than it’s ever been under Groh
The Cavaliers approach the 2005 season with five front-line players, all with starting experience, and a stable of talented youngsters, some of whom are entering their third year in the program. There is also a crop of highly touted newcomers who could provide an immediate impact. But offensive line coach Ron Prince will not need to rely on talented freshmen and untested underclassmen. And with an offense predicated on a power running game, that’s a nice position to be in.
Center
1) Ian-Yates Cunningham (So., 6-3, 296)
2) Jordy Lipsey (So., 6-3, 266)
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The battle for the starting center position started in the spring and continues into fall camp. Cunningham appears to be the leader but Lipsey has made tremendous strides and irrespective of which player earns the starting nod, there is solid depth at this spot.
Both players are different than their predecessor, Yarbrough, in that Cunningham and Lipsey are more prototypical in-line centers. Neither is as powerful as former Cavalier center Kevin Bailey and neither possesses Yarbrough’s athleticism. What they are is a combination of both.
The key for both Cunningham and Lipsey is to acclimate themselves quickly to the recognition and communication aspect of the college center position – learning to access what the interior of the defense is doing, the twist in the pass rush, and to make the proper adjustments and communicate those adjustments to their teammates.
Left Guard
1) Brian Barthelmes (Sr., 6-6, 288)
2) Gordie Sammis (So., 6-4, 296)
Right Guard
1) Marshal Ausberry (So., 6-5, 324)
2) Eugene Monroe (Fr., 6-6, 318)
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Brian Barthelmes |
Barthelmes is one of the more versatile linemen on the UVa roster. He’s played both tackle spots and both guard spots during his career, but it looks like he’s found a home at left guard, where he has 27 career starts. “We’ve got a saying that the more you can do the better, so it adds to his value,” Groh said. “He’s one of the real tough guys on the offensive line. I think he kind of helps set the personality on the offensive line.”
Ausberry, once a highly-touted recruit, was having a good spring before injuring his foot. Now healthy, he appears ready to move up to the next level with the departure of Brown. “I’d say his camp is off to a positive start,” Groh said. “You can certainly see the advantages he has of getting these play installations for the third time and going through Ron’s [Prince] drills.”
Ausberry may not possess the lateral quickness of Brown – few offensive linemen do – but he will provide a significant entourage for Virginia backs on the outside as well as a physical presence on the interior line.
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Marshall Ausberry |
“He had a really good spring and this summer he really came along and lost some weight,” said his right side teammate, tackle Brad Butler. “He got in the weight room and lifted hard. He got new maxes and did all of the things he had to do to prepare for the season.”
Sammis and Monroe round out the two-deep at guard and are promising young players at the position. Sammis has spent most of his career at tackle but moved to guard to take advantage of his agility and mobility. Monroe was the top offensive line recruit in the nation last season and could beat out Ausberry for the starting spot if he picks up the blocking schemes quickly and proves he’s ready.
Left Tackle
1) D’Brickashaw Ferguson (Sr., 6-5, 295)
2) Zak Stair (Fr., 6-6, 280)
Right Tackle
1) Brad Butler (Sr., 6-8, 296)
2) Eddie Pinigis (So., 6-7, 290)
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Brad Butler |
“We have two of the best tackles in college football,” Groh said. “We anticipate highly productive years and we anticipate playing with those guys as much as we can.”
High praise and well deserved. Last year Butler and Ferguson were the bookends of an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the ACC last season and helped pave the way for the conference’s top rushing attack.
With 26 career starts, Butler is one of the most underrated linemen in college football, overshadowed by Brown and Ferguson. But he is a stout drive blocker and rarely misses assignments or gets hit with penalties. He has developed into a sound technical pass protector and has the strength and size to go man-to-man with the most powerful defensive linemen. “This is a player who has unusually good athletic skills for the position, so that gives him an asset that most offensive lineman aren’t blessed with,” Groh said.
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D’Brickashaw Ferguson |
Three years ago, Ferguson become the first true freshmen offensive lineman in UVa history to start the season opener. Thirty-nine starts later he has emerged as the leader of the offensive front. Ferguson possesses tremendous athletic ability and an 87-inch wingspan to go with it. He is excellent in pass protection and is quick to the corner versus a speed rush. His footwork is extraordinary and Ferguson excels either as an angle or drive run blocker. Simply put, Ferguson is the best offensive lineman in the nation.
Pinigis and Stair are quality backups but will likely need to wait until 2006 to see any significant game action as long as Butler and Ferguson are healthy.
The Last Word
Virginia enters 2005 with a line that has combined for 98 starts. With the exception of center, four of the five positions appear set. The key for this group is to quickly assimilate two new starters and develop cohesion. If practice is any indication, that is already well on its way to happening.
One note: For those fans calling for increased rotation of the second unit, don’t look for much change from the previous four seasons under Groh.
“Chemistry is the key, especially for the offensive line coming together, in winning football games,” Groh said. “Playing time is going to be based on anticipated performance. There is cohesiveness and a knitting together of an offensive line that’s part of their performance, so I think we would look at interjecting some players into the lineup, but I don’t think there will be circumstances where we’ll have wholesale substitutions.”
