Football looking to replace three All-SLC linemen
The past two seasons, Sam Houston State has had the luxury of not having to worry about arguably the most important and overlooked areas in football — the offensive line.
But for the first time in what feels like a long time, the Bearkats are looking to fill three starting spots on a unit that opened up holes for back-to-back 1,000-yard rushers and provided solid pass protection for one of the top offenses in the Southland Conference.
Sam Houston is returning All-SLC guard Hunter Schmidt, who has started every game the last two years, and tackle John Dirk. Both are very good players, but the question is who is going to fill in for center Brennan Williams, guard Ryan Dretke and tackle Brandon Hale?
It’s tough losing three linemen and even worse when all three were all-conference selections. But this is why they have spring football because it gives teams an early leg up on finding players who can step up.
Right now, senior center Jordan Bowersox, senior guard Nick Grimes and redshirt freshman tackle Travis Watson are penciled in as the starters. Watson is locked in a tight battle with former Missouri transfer Aaron Saunders for the tackle spot opposite Dirk.
“We lost four seniors last year and three of those were starters,” SHSU offensive line coach B.J. Anderson said Wednesday. “I think the guys are doing a nice job. Every single day we come out here and fix a ton of mistakes and get better. We had a great day today down on the goal line and that has been a big emphasis.
“They have good attitudes, are working hard, but we still are still making young line mistakes. But I feel that if we continue to show the effort, we will work those things out.”
Sophomore Travis Best, junior R.C. Fairchild, Navarro College transfer Mike Mosmeyer and redshirt freshman Chris Crockett are currently running with the second unit. Saunders has been banged up this spring with a bad back, so he has been working with the second-team line as well.
The Bearkats have also experimented with Schmidt at center. He has been moved back to guard but is still getting some reps just in case something happens to Bowersox and SHSU needs him to get the ball to the quarterback.
“I’m still trying to work with Smitty because in this game, all it takes is one snap for a guy to go down,” Anderson said. “Jordan has really progressed and I’m pleased with how he has come along. I believe we can put our apples in his basket and leave Smitty at guard.
“If anything should happen, I need Smitty to come in and play center; he can do that. We are also trying to get Nick Grimes some snaps because he has played center before. My experience as a line coach lets me know that the more people you have cross trained at different positions, the more options you have.”
The offensive line struggled in the Bearkats’ first intrasquad scrimmage of the spring last Saturday. The defense got plenty of pressure on quarterbacks Ryan Hinojosa, Jeff Welch, Taylor Weidman and Jordan Williams, recording three sacks and forcing some quick throws.
One good thing about practice is that the young offensive linemen are going against a top-notch defensive front. Facing All-SLC-caliber defenders like end Chris Brown and interior lineman Eric Mikolajchak should help tremendously come fall.
“It’s been great work. Every single day is just unbelievable,” Anderson said. “Going against Mikolajchak and Chris Brown and some of the other guys who can bring it has been good. Coach (Duane) Dirk does a great job with using different schemes and blitzes, twisting guys around, showing us a lot of good looks.
“That is great for these young tackles and our new center. We are having to grow up in a hurry against an awfully good defensive front, but as a staff, we are pleased with getting to face our defense. I don’t think we will face many better defensive fronts next season.”
Spring practice at Sam Houston State continues through Saturday, April 19, when the Bearkats will hold their annual spring Orange-White game.
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