Cincy on the Prowl
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Cincinnati Bearcats 2015 Position Preview: Offensive Line

By Chris Bains

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The 2015 preview of every Cincinnati Bearcats position group continues with UC’s offensive line.

Miss a segment from this series? Here you go:

| Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends |

STARTERS

  • Parker Ehinger, Senior (Left Tackle)
  • Idarius Ray, Junior (Left Guard)
  • Deyshawn Bond, Junior (Center)
  • Ryan Leahy, Junior (Right Guard)
  • Justin Murray, Senior (Right Tackle)

BACKUPS

  • Korey Cunningham, Sophomore (Left Tackle)
  • Garrett Campbell, Sophomore (Left Guard)
  • David Niehaus, Sophomore (Center)
  • Delonte Murray, Junior (Right Guard)
  • Chad West, Senior (Right Tackle)

2014 RECAP

Meat grinders, y’all.

A line made up of upperclassmen at every position except center paved the way for a UC rushing attack that finished fourth in the AAC. They were also instrumental in a Bearcats passing game that finished only behind East Carolina in the conference. Cincinnati’s offensive line was the 25th best unit in the country in keeping the quarterback upright, allowing just under one-and-a-half sacks per game, and 2nd in the AAC.

The only blemish for this unit was on the injury front. Left guard Kevin Schloemer was banged up throughout the season and never truly found himself 100% healthy, center Deyshawn Bond missed part of the Toledo game due to an injury, and Cory Keebler was lost to the season due to a torn ACL he suffered against Ohio State. But those issues allowed younger players the opportunity to step up and gain boatloads of experience, setting the tone for the following season.

2015 OUTLOOK

As steady as their health will take them. Bond is the only lineman with a history of recurring injuries so in that respect Cincinnati should step onto the field in two Saturdays with one of the healthiest offensive lines in years. The tentative starters are listed left-to-right Parker Ehinger, Idarius Ray, Deyshawn Bond, Ryan Leahy, and Justin Murray but coach Darren Hiller likes to rotate his players in and out to keep them fresh. Korey Cunningham could easily spell Ehinger for a few plays to a whole drives if Hiller chooses to play his cards this way.

The talent is there and clearly the experience. Again, these hog mollies just need to avoid getting hit with the injury bus. If they can avoid anything catastrophic, Cincinnati’s offensive line should be as strong if not stronger in 2015.