Marshall offensive lineman Ethan Driskell, right, battles Marshall defensive lineman Elijah Alston as Herd football continues spring practice on April 2 at the Chris Cline Athletic Complex in Huntington.
Marshall quarterback Cam Fancher (14) runs a play as the Marshall University football team conducts practice on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington.
Marshall offensive lineman Ethan Driskell, right, battles Marshall defensive lineman Elijah Alston as Herd football continues spring practice on April 2 at the Chris Cline Athletic Complex in Huntington.
Marshall quarterback Cam Fancher (14) runs a play as the Marshall University football team conducts practice on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington.
HUNTINGTON Ƶ At the start of every football season, there are questions for teams.
For Marshall, one of the biggest question marks entering this year is the efficiency of the offensive line and how well it will be able to protect the starting quarterback and create gaps for an explosive running game.
But head coach Charles Huff wouldnƵt call the unitƵs inexperience a weakness. In fact, he drew comparisons from MarshallƵs offensive line from a season ago, which he said faced similar challenges.
ƵWe had a lot of unproven guys, we had a lot of guys come back but we still had some holes,Ƶ Huff said. ƵWe have that same situation this year. Holes based on where we didnƵt see (a player) last year or where somebody didnƵt play much at all last year, but I feel good with the start.Ƶ
Three full-time starters graduated last year. Two of them Ƶ Will Ulmer and Alex Mollette Ƶ were invited to NFL rookie minicamps. Mollette has seen action in preseason games for the Indianapolis Colts.
ƵWe know those guys were five-year starters here,Ƶ said center Logan Osburn. ƵNot only were they great players but they were great leaders. Filling those roles is really what weƵve been chasing for.Ƶ
Offensive coordinator Clint Trickett said while losing that experience and leadership hurts, he hopes some of those qualities trickled down to the group that will take the field without them this year.
ƵThose guys are the ones that moved on, the Will Ulmers, the Mollettes from the O-line specifically, the younger guys Ƶ the Ethan Driskells the Logan Osburns Ƶ they saw what those guys were doing in their leadership role and how it could help them take it over this year,Ƶ Trickett said.
Osburn thinks the former players have rubbed off on the group and, as Trickett alluded, itƵs helped make stepping into a bigger role easier for Osburn and others.
ƵI think weƵve come a long way so far,Ƶ Osburn said. ƵFrom day one weƵve made good strides. WeƵre still not where we need to be but we are in the right spot.Ƶ
Kendrick Sartor, who saw significant playing time in 2021, also returns up front, as does Dalton Tucker, who also saw snaps a season ago.
ƵThose guys are pretty physical and I think weƵve done a good job of going out there and working our best,Ƶ Osburn added.
Their progress as a whole has pleased coaches both through the spring, summer and now fall camp, but there are still improvements to be made.
ƵWhat IƵve seen this offseason, IƵve been very pleased with those guys up front,Ƶ Trickett said. ƵTheyƵve gotten bigger and stronger in the weight room. Big hat tip to (Director of Sports Performance) Ben Ƶhford for that. Everyone is doing their part.Ƶ
Two things Huff sees in the offensive line group are depth and the size needed to play the positions effectively.
ƵThe guys can go in, they can execute the play and itƵs not a catastrophe,Ƶ Huff said. ƵI feel really, really good about the quality depth and the body types we have.Ƶ
Luke Creasy is a reporter for The Herald-Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @LukeCreasy or reach him by phone at 304-526-2800.
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