The offensive line might be the position group that I'm most excited about entering 2020.
McFarland was hammered as the OL coach after a tough year in 2018. The unit bounced back in a big way in 2019. Credit where credit is due.
Projected Depth Chart for 2020:
LT: Willie Allen (RS SR), Michael Gause (RS SO) or Xavier Guy (JR)
LG: Josh Mote (RS JR), Stevie Ballard (RS FR)
C: Kody Russey (RS SR), Abraham Delfin (RS JR)
RG: Donavaughn Campbell (RS SR), Christian Henderson (RS SO)
RT: Antawn Lewis (RS JR) or Biron Rossell (RS SO)
Campbell is a grad transfer from LSU. Gause and Guy are were signed in the 2020 recruiting classes. I'm about 90% sure that Gause is a 3 for 3. That's huge that he will possibly be a two-year starter at tackle. Guy could possibly redshirt so he'll have two years as well.
Others: Noah Pitre (RS SO), Jonah Brewster (RS FR), Walker Hankinson (RS FR), Dakota White (TR FR), Bert Hale (TR FR), Justin Throckmorton (RS JR), Brett Pope (RS FR), Jerren Gilbert (TR FR), Taylor Fondal (RS SR), Drake Carroll (RS SO)
Pitre, Throckmorton, Pope, and Carroll are walk-ons.
Fondal is an attrition candidate.
To me, this is the deepest OL that Tech has had in a long time and it's a group that only has three seniors. I think the staff has done a nice job at setting this group up for some sustained success. This will be an important year for guys like Jonah Brewster, Walker Hankinson, and Noah Pitre. They need to take steps forward in their development. Hankinson and Pitre still need weight.
What is your confidence meter looking like for the OL entering 2020? 1-10, I have this group at a 9. I think it's going to be the best OL in the Holtz era. If I had to name a surprise contributor, I would go with Michael Gause. I think he's got a chance to earn some time at tackle.
McFarland was hammered as the OL coach after a tough year in 2018. The unit bounced back in a big way in 2019. Credit where credit is due.
Projected Depth Chart for 2020:
LT: Willie Allen (RS SR), Michael Gause (RS SO) or Xavier Guy (JR)
LG: Josh Mote (RS JR), Stevie Ballard (RS FR)
C: Kody Russey (RS SR), Abraham Delfin (RS JR)
RG: Donavaughn Campbell (RS SR), Christian Henderson (RS SO)
RT: Antawn Lewis (RS JR) or Biron Rossell (RS SO)
Campbell is a grad transfer from LSU. Gause and Guy are were signed in the 2020 recruiting classes. I'm about 90% sure that Gause is a 3 for 3. That's huge that he will possibly be a two-year starter at tackle. Guy could possibly redshirt so he'll have two years as well.
Others: Noah Pitre (RS SO), Jonah Brewster (RS FR), Walker Hankinson (RS FR), Dakota White (TR FR), Bert Hale (TR FR), Justin Throckmorton (RS JR), Brett Pope (RS FR), Jerren Gilbert (TR FR), Taylor Fondal (RS SR), Drake Carroll (RS SO)
Pitre, Throckmorton, Pope, and Carroll are walk-ons.
Fondal is an attrition candidate.
To me, this is the deepest OL that Tech has had in a long time and it's a group that only has three seniors. I think the staff has done a nice job at setting this group up for some sustained success. This will be an important year for guys like Jonah Brewster, Walker Hankinson, and Noah Pitre. They need to take steps forward in their development. Hankinson and Pitre still need weight.
What is your confidence meter looking like for the OL entering 2020? 1-10, I have this group at a 9. I think it's going to be the best OL in the Holtz era. If I had to name a surprise contributor, I would go with Michael Gause. I think he's got a chance to earn some time at tackle.
