Preseason Camp Preview: Offensive Line
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Assessing where things stand for the Oregon football team entering the start of preseason camp Aug. 10.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Who’s back: All the turmoil on Oregon’s offensive line a year ago came with a silver lining — a bunch of guys who need to contribute in 2015 got valuable experience they might not have otherwise. Not only is Cameron Hunt coming into his third year as a mainstay on the line, but Tyrell Crosby and Matt Pierson count as returning starters, too, after being thrown into the fire due to injuries in 2014. Jake Pisarcik and Doug Brenner also broke into the lineup for starts last fall. And yet despite all that, Oregon’s two most experienced linemen will be guys who didn’t play a snap for the Ducks in 2014. Tyler Johnstone returns for his senior season after sitting out to rehab an injury last year, and Matt Hegarty joined the Ducks as a transfer from Notre Dame. If not for last season’s injuries, the Ducks would probably feel pretty good about three spots, and the other two would be huge question marks. Instead, they go close to two-deep with experienced college players.
Who’s new: Along with Hegarty, there are five freshmen now on hand. Zach Okun arrived in time for spring ball, where he learned how tough it is to snap with a college nose tackle staring across the line. Over the summer four classmates arrived. Brady Aiello, Jake Hanson, Shane Lemieux and Calvin Throckmorton all fit the Ducks’ profile of tall, athletic linemen who can move nimbly and get to the second level in the spread offense. A recent trend has developed in which the Ducks have played some linemen as true freshmen (Jake Fisher, Hunt, Crosby) and with any luck that won’t be necessary this season, but a couple of the freshmen arrived looking ready to take some reps if needed.
ESPN’s take: Great shape: “The Ducks must still iron out some wrinkles on the interior, but they look powerful at both tackle spots.”
ROB’S TAKE
Projected depth chart
LT: Tyler Johnstone, Sr.; Braden Eggert, RFr.; Elijah George, So.; Jake Hanson, Fr.
LG: Jake Pisarcik, So.; Evan Voeller, So.; Jim Weber, RFr.; Davis Miyashiro-Saipaia, RFr.; Shane Lemieux, Fr.
C: Matt Hegarty, Sr.; Doug Brenner, So.; Zach Okun, Fr.
RG: Cameron Hunt, Jr.; Haniteli Lousi, Sr.; Tanner Davies, RFr.; Calvin Throckmorton, Fr.
RT: Tyrell Crosby, So.; Matt Pierson, Sr.; Stetzon Bair, Sr.; Matt McFadden, Jr.; Brady Aiello, Fr.
What to Watch: Regardless of Hegarty’s experience, replacing a center can’t be expected to be completely seamless, especially one as capable as Hroniss Grasu. Hegarty got a chance this summer to begin building up chemistry with his new linemates and quarterbacks, which hopefully will let them hit the ground running in August. The other position to watch is guard; Hunt and Pisarcik both had noticeably beefed up this summer, and Brenner has always been powerful. Strength coach Jim Radcliffe puts the linemen through a drill in the summer that involves pushing a big old pickup truck up a short hill. By far, the most powerful trio this summer included Pisarcik and Brenner, along with freshman defensive lineman Rex Manu. So there are some big, strong options on the interior. It’s just a matter of sorting through things in preseason camp, and Steve Greatwood proved once again last season he’s a master at shuffling his parts to field a capable line.
