2003 Football Preview: Offensive Line
Aug 02, 2003 | Football
August 02, 2003
 Junior center Geoff Hangartner anchors an offensive line that returns three starters from last season. |
The offensive line returns three starters and you could not ask for a better anchor than center , a junior from New Braunfels High School. Hangartner consistently graded out extremely high last fall in his first season as a starter. Look for Hangartner to push for post-season honors as he calls the signals along the offensive front.
Also returning starters are tackles , a senior from Plano High School, and left tackle , from Jacksonville High School. Reuber made eight starts last fall and Hightower started every game last year and has 18 career starts under his belt.
The offensive line has to replace two guards who had 50 career starts between them and both have an opportunity to play in the NFL. Taylor Whitley was a third-round selection of the Miami Dolphins and he will be joined by teammate Billy Yates who signed a free agent contract.
A total of six offensive linemen have earned letters. Sophomore , from New Braunfels High School, saw valuable time as a true freshman last fall.
|
|
"We're moving forward in our offensive line system," Coach Jim Bob Helduser said. "We need to make some improvements in the strength area, but we have a solid group to work with and they have a tremendous work ethic that will allow us to improve. We've gotten pretty good leadership with our seniors Andre Brooks, Alan Reuber, John Kirk and James Milkavich, along with some players who have been in the trenches like Geoff Hangartner and Jami Hightower. Those guys are good to have in your group because they incorporate the verbal leadership as well as setting an example by their work ethic. I think they are good players and they can improve and they are willing to work to get better. We have an interesting array of experience, not all of them have had a great deal of playing time. We're not experienced at playing together as a unit but we will work to solidify the group and develop some depth with a rotation. The future is really bright for some of the young players and they will have an opportunity to accomplish a lot before they leave here."
, a senior from Brazoswood High School, made eight starts last season and saw action at both guard and tackle. Injuries limited his playing time this spring, but he should figure in the rotation this fall.
, a senior from Athens High School, saw action in eight games last fall and was solid in his play. He is a player who can play several positions along the offensive front.
, a senior from Aleif Elsik High School, is a strong offensive lineman who should break through in the 2003 season.
A number of other players have worked hard in the weight room and on the practice field to earn time in a rotation of offensive linemen.
A new group of five true freshmen will enter into the mix this fall and depending on how quickly they pick up the system will determine the amount of playing time.
2003 Football Preview:
