Position preview: Offensive line is key cog in UT's high-powered offense
8/16/2018The University of Toledo loses its bookend tackles in Elijah Nkansah and Brant Weiss and a talented center/guard in Nate Jeppesen from last year’s offensive line.
Along with those three starters from last season, Toledo has a few players still on the mend from injuries suffered last season in Yazeed Atariwa and Chandler Cotterman.
The good news for the Rockets is that they have recruited and developed players well at the position, so there are plenty of options to mix and match.
“We have a lot of guys that are back,” UT coach Jason Candle said. “We had some guys who gained some valuable experience for us last year due to some unfortunate injuries. The positive of that is as you turn the page to this year, there is some experience there. The hope is to get eight or nine guys developed so you can have a fluid rotation and keep guys fresh and maybe you can avoid some of the bumps and bruises.”
UT POSITION PREVIEWS: QB | RB | WR/TE
Graduated
Elijah Nkansah
Brant Weiss
Nate Jeppesen
Returning players
78 Yazeed Atariwa (6-4, 315, Sr.) – Started at guard first four games before season-ending injury.
67 Sami Kassem (6-4, 320, Sr.) – Started nine games at left guard
72 Bryce Harris (6-3, 285, Jr.) – started 11 games (six at right guard, four at center, and one at left guard).
56 Chandler Cotterman (6-3, 296, Jr.) – Played three games at right guard before season-ending injury.
57 Brandon Heidecker (6-6, 312, Jr.) – Played five games at guard before season-ending injury
58 Cameron Bell (6-8, 345, Jr.) – Played 11 games as backup tackle
65 Luke Doerger (6-3, 285, So.) – Played five games as a reserve
Newcomers/Redshirt freshmen
71 Brock Ruble (6-8, 325, Sr.) – Graduate transfer from Florida State
68 Mitchell Berg (6-6, 305, R-Fr.) – Redshirted last season
69 Kedonis Haslem (6-3, 308, R-Fr.) – Redshirted last season
61 Kelvin Ateman (6-6, 315, R-Fr.) – Redshirted last season
63 Woodford Lankford (6-4, 270, R-Fr.) – Redshirted last season
60 Tyler Long (6-4, 295, Fr.) – True freshman
Fall camp needs
Finding a dependable starting five to begin the season will be the focus of camp. Finding the right combinations will be key as the team waits for its injured players to get back to full strength. As Candle mentioned, Toledo wants to develop a strong rotation to rely on throughout the season. With what should be another very good offense, the line will be counted on to aid what should be a strong running game and protect the quarterback so he can get the ball to the team’s playmakers on the outside.
Player to watch
Cameron Bell. Bell saw playing time in 11 games last season at right tackle. With Nkansah and Weiss graduated, Bell would seem to have a big opportunity to solidify himself at one of the tackle positions this season. At 6-foot-8 and 345 pounds, Bell is an imposing figure for defensive linemen to line up against. If he steps up and produces as a regular, that will give a big boost to the offensive line as a unit.