2012 Spring Football Position Outlook: Offensive Line

[ ST – CB – S/NB – LB – DL – OL – TE – WR – RB – QB ]

Most analysts will comment that Cincinnati is replacing three starting offensive lineman this season. True, seniors Alex Hoffman, Evan Davis, and Randy Martinez have graduated but UC is not necessarily replacing three guys on their offensive line. Sean Hooey played a good majority of the 2011 season before succumbing to injuries and Eric Lefeld stepped right in to get some experience of his own. In addition, while Andre Cureton backed up Randy Martinez at left guard in 2011, he did take a few snaps when UC was blowing out teams like Austin Peay and Akron. He also had some playing time in the Bearcats’ “Heavy Package“.

So really, while three starting offensive linemen are graduating, Cincinnati is only really replacing their starting center and maybe left guard. By and large the line is still intact, full of experienced players, and that fact will go a long way to ensuring success on offense in 2012. Plus after a solid 2011 campaign from the OL, Coach Don Mahoney has regained my trust and I’m fully confident in his abilities to develop players. This unit should go HAM in 2012.

RIGHT OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Starter: Eric Lefeld

The redshirt sophomore stepped in last season when Sean Hooey was injured and was understandably shaky in his first few games missing blocks and picking up false start penalties. But as the season progressed he really came into his own and Don Mahoney was again proven right with his decision to start the former high school defensive end. Entering the 2012 season the experience of facing a slew of Big East teams only helped his development as he should be a force at offensive tackle for years to come.

Backup: Kevin Schloemer

The sophomore from Lakota West High School came to Cincinnati with a lot of promise but unfortunately his development was hampered by an arm injury. Offensive tackles sort of need those to block people. Hopefully Schloemer returns in the 2012 season healthy to provide depth behind Eric Lefeld.

RIGHT GUARD

Starter: Austen Bujnoch

He is just a brick wall of a guard on the interior of the offensive line. As a starter for the first time in 2011, Bujnoch seemed unfazed by the pressure of running with the 1st Team. His obliteration of Tennessee DT Malik Jackson on Isaiah Pead’s touchdown run exemplifies his play in 2011. There really isn’t much more to say about him other than that he’s as steady as any of the offensive lineman on this team. Typically it’s a good thing when the casual fan doesn’t know an offensive lineman’s name because they never get recognized until they are called with a penalty. Don’t expect to hear Bujnoch’s name called much this fall.

Backup: Sam Longo

The junior is a transfer from Ohio State who didn’t quite fit in with the offense at the Buckeyes. In short, he’s a much better fit in Cincinnati’s spread which helps explain his transfer to UC. Longo is a big, physical lineman who will push most of the starters this season and could easily play offensive tackle. Unfortunately, Lefeld and Hooey will lockup these starting spots so Longo’s best opportunity for playing time will be on the interior. Therefore, I think he will push Bujnoch and Cureton at offensive guard.

CENTER

Starter: Dan Sprague

The center is the single most important position on the offensive line. Like the quarterback is the field general of the entire offense, the center is the leader of the offensive line. Succeeding in this position requires both physical and mental toughness. Dan Sprague will be Cincinnati’s third new center in three years and has a history of successful players at this position to live up to. Chris Jurek in 2009 was an All-Big East First Team selection, Jason Kelce in 2010 ended up being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and now their starting center, and Evan Davis was one of the better centers in the Big East last season. Luckily Sprague has been in Cincinnati’s system for a while so theoretically (read: hopefully) he should move seamlessly into the starting role.

Backup: Daniel Murray

It wasn’t exactly known where Murray would wind up when he signed with Cincinnati for the class of 2010. He was the most athletic offensive lineman on his high school team and thus started at offensive tackle. Based on his body size it made sense the coaching staff moved him to the interior of UC’s line and I was pleased to learn he was given the responsibility of mastering the center position. He obviously took a redshirt last season to take time to learn it but will probably run with the two’s this fall backing up Dan Sprague.

LEFT GUARD

Starter: Andre Cureton

As I mentioned, Cureton got a solid amount of reps in a variety of roles last season in which he officially backed up Austin Bujnoch. When fall camp opened last August, Cureton and Bujnoch were neck-and-neck for the vacant right guard spot but, as we learned, the latter wound up winning the starting job. This season, Cureton will be faced with the task of replacing the very big shoes of Randy Martinez. That’s not easy to do but I think the redshirt junior should be able to step in. He’s actually lost about 60 lbs since signing with Cincinnati and is in the best shape of his life. So Cureton will at least be physically ready to be a starter in 2012.

Backup: Sean McClellan

The redshirt junior officially backed up Randy Martinez at left guard in 2011 but I think Cureton jumps him in 2012 with McClellan resuming the same role he did last season. There’s a possibility McClellan and Longo swap spots here as the latter might push Cureton just a bit more than McClellan.

LEFT OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Starter: Sean Hooey

He is simply a mountain of an offensive tackle. Shaq thinks Sean Hooey is tall. But it’s not only height. Hooey pushed 300 lbs and his long arms makes him the ideal specimen to play offensive tackle. The redshirt junior burst onto the scene in 2010 against Louisville when C.J. Cobb was injured and Alex Hoffman was moved back to right guard. I really liked what I saw from Hooey but for some reason he was sent back to the bench in favor of starting a less-than-stellar Cobb at guard and Hoffman at right tackle. It made no sense. But he was able to secure a starting role at right tackle this season and all seemed right in the world. Unfortunately, he was sidelined with an ankle injury which kept him out for most of the season. While he played right tackle in 2011, Mahoney will probably elect to send him to the blindside. When healthy, Hooey can certainly handle the more complicated role.

Backup: Cory Keebler

The converted tight end from Lakota East High School seemed to have loads of potential when he signed with Cincinnati a couple of years ago. It seems the coaching staff had always planned on using him as an offensive lineman so he needed time to add weight to his 6’6″ 235 lbs frame. Now up to about 285 lbs he appears physically ready to protect the quarterback on the edge. Keebler took a few snaps last season when Butch Jones pulled the starters in UC’s blowouts so he has some experience under his belt. The redshirt sophomore isn’t quite ready for a starting role but should learn from the senior Hooey this fall.

DARK HORSES AT OL

No one. As an armchair coach, I’m in the camp that freshman offensive linemen should always be redshirted both to add muscle and adjust to the speed of college defenses at their own pace. Kyle Williamson, Caleb Stacey, Ryan Leahy, and Deyshawn Bond will each sit out the 2012 campaign no matter how much upside each has. In general I’m pleased with the depth along the offensive line as Coach Jones and crew have done a solid job of beefing up this unit during their time here. However if there are injuries sustained at this position we could see the young offensive tackles below get some reps with the second team.

• Parker Ehinger: Redshirt freshman; Rockford, Michigan.
• Justin Murray: Redshirt freshman; Cincinnati, Ohio.