2016 O Line starters and depth?

Submitted by Yessir on

There was a good discussion in the "Mone hinting everyone coming back" thread about Dline.  Wondering who you think will start or be depth players?  

 

Read this morning that Brian slated Cole to Center, iirc.  I thought if Texas grad transfer Raulerson transfers he'd be starting there.  Bredeson at guard? 

 

Thoughts? Comments?

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ThirdVanGundy

January 4th, 2016 at 6:06 PM ^

Except with Glasgow gone I expect Cole to move to C and Newsome to LT. Assuming Harbaugh thinks at least somewhat highly of Newsome.

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A Fan In Fargo

January 4th, 2016 at 7:01 PM ^

take a common sense and how not to overthink the easy stuff coarse or something. I know this is kind of mean but comeon. How many penalties and blown assignments can you have before you catch on? It's not his first rodeo. When he gets his man though he handles him pretty good. I'll give him that!

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Brimley

January 4th, 2016 at 8:52 PM ^

That said, is it possible that you (and others) are a little tough on Kalis given his "college-ready"  HS profile not meeting P5 star expectations?  His UFR numbers were decent (though not all-world by any means) and Harbaugh/Drevno would've moved in Dawson if Kyle had a bad attitude and/or work ethic.  He seems to be a really good guy and a solid lineman at this point and could set up for a great senior year with quality coaching for two straight years, finally.

I'd love for Reader 71 or other experts to let us know their views on his performance.

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Gentleman Squirrels

January 4th, 2016 at 6:07 PM ^

Just because Raulerson comes in, doesn't mean he's guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup. Cole is apparently our best option at center with newsome being a decent option at LT so that report would make sense



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Mr. Yost

January 4th, 2016 at 7:46 PM ^

You still need a starting center in spring ball. Makes perfect sense to me to get Cole reps at C and Newsome reps as a starting LT. If Raulerson is a beast or even if one of your interior freshman OL are awesome then you can always move things back in fall camp - but at least you'll have those spring reps to gain significant experience and/or chemistry in two key positions.

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Lanknows

January 4th, 2016 at 6:50 PM ^

Every returning starter has it.  Magnuson and Braden have started at both tackle and guard.  Kalis could, at least in theory, be a RT too (or at least it was speculated at some point that he might fit there) and has practiced on both the right and left side.

Raulerson/Kugler are pure centers.  Newsome is a pure tackle.  If any of those 3 are in the top 5 then you fit the rest around em.

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Anonymous Coward (not verified)

January 4th, 2016 at 6:10 PM ^

the only true center to be recruited is a while? Is he ever going to pan out?

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aplatypus

January 4th, 2016 at 6:57 PM ^

He was behind Graham Glasgow who was 

1. two full years ahead of him and

2. really damn good

If he doesn't get the start at center next year it'll be because Cole moved over and see #2 above because Cole is already pretty damn good.

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Mr. Yost

January 4th, 2016 at 7:49 PM ^

But how can you make that determination now?

Can we at least get through spring ball and see who's going to start this year in the fall before we call him a bust?

If he doesn't start, then yeah...the writing is on the wall. But plenty of guys have improved with a winter conditioning, spring practice, summer workouts and fall camp.

We're talking like we have a game February 5th and there's no time to improve or get better. Sadly, we have 9 months until the next game.

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somewittyname

January 4th, 2016 at 9:34 PM ^

My post was a response to the hypothetical that aplatypus raised.

Edit: That said, since we know Glasgow was in all likelihood a better guard than Kalis and Braden, which we know from the previous regime, then Kugler must be behind them in the pecking order otherwise he would have taken over at C and Glasgow likely to RG. That's not a great sign.

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Mr. Yost

January 4th, 2016 at 7:51 PM ^

Also, Harbaugh loves compeition...even if Kuglar WAS our only center. There's no way in hell we're going to go into the spring, let alone the fall with 1 true center on the roster.

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Mr. Yost

January 4th, 2016 at 7:53 PM ^

Anyone know about Runyan, Jr.? I've had him penciled in a C for awhile now. IMO, he'd be perfect in that spot...of course that depends on if he can snap the ball. But if he's anything like his dad - he can lead and communicate. Two characteristics I think every C needs.

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Monkey House

January 4th, 2016 at 6:12 PM ^

I'm not sure Kalis holds his spot all next season. I havent been that impressed with him this year. if the transfer from Texas comes here, I could see him giving Kalis a run for his spot.

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Space Coyote

January 4th, 2016 at 7:28 PM ^

Johnson was good in the bowl game, his role is also pretty replaceable with Hidgon. If Kali's doesn't step up, Cole moving inside, Dawson, or Kugler could replace him. Room needs to be made on the roster and those are guys that would stay if there was room, but I could see not being back next year. Hell, I could see Drake getting a medical and sticking around as part of the team in some way.

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stephenrjking

January 4th, 2016 at 8:01 PM ^

Neither Dawson nor Kugler pushed Kalis this year. Not enough to put his position into question.  I find it hard to believe that they would issue walking papers to a 13-game starter when there was no one on the roster good enough to replace him this season; you put your best possible team on the field.

I find Johnson hard to swallow, too, but at least in his case we're talking about a position with lots of interchangeable depth in place and recruits in the queue that could contribute right away. There's a logic to it, even if I don't like it. 

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Mr. Yost

January 4th, 2016 at 8:01 PM ^

If you count out 11 guys...there's going to be at least ONE that NONE of us want to see go.

I said that one guy would be either Drake Johnson or Jeremy Clark.

We all want both to return, but if you're talking 11 guys, the it's highly likely that we're going to lose someone, probably 2, maybe 3 that none of us expect or want to see leave.

Last year we lost 2 in Countess and Heitzman that we all thought would return. Heitzman to a lesser extent, but with Harbaugh's love for the TE/DE type, it seemed like a no brainer. Especially before AJ Williams actually became a good football player. Countess, we all wanted to see what he could do and knew he could contribute to this team in some way.

So if it's 10 or 11, the numbers are the numbers. And it's especially tough if you keep guys who will be on scholarship, but may not have graduated as of yet. Reon Dawson, Jaron Dukes, those types are going INTO their 4th year....so if they haven't gotten a degree, there's no reason for them to leave now when they're so close to walking across that stage. Get the degree and then go play your 5th year somewhere else.

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Mr. Yost

January 4th, 2016 at 9:08 PM ^

It was Alum's post about 11 spots and everyone was going back and forth about whether it was kosher to name names and my thought was...it's poor taste to put in the OP. But if you're not the OP and it's in the body, you're just some idiot message board poster and anyone who gets offended by that, should relax a little. We're not coaches or staff or administrators...so I don't think it's that horrible, personally.

So of course, in possible poor taste, I named names. Here you go...

 
  1. Blake Bars
  2. Matt Godin
  3. Tom Strobel
  4. Allen Gant
  5. Terry RIchardson

....then you have to wonder about Derrick Green, Shane Morris, Reon Dawson and Jaron Dukes. [edit: Morris will at least be here for the spring, Derrick Green is gone]

I'll give you a medical type like a Michael McCray (which would kill depth because I already said Gant) or a rumored mutual separation type like a Lawerence Marshall who was rumored to be in the doghouse all year and never played too much.

And for 11, I'll give you a RS Senior that leaves on good terms for a starting role...but someone that we all HATE to see go...just like Heitzman and Countess? Jeremy Clark OR Drake Johnson. Again, not necessarily predicting either of them, and I certainly don't want to see it...but if we're going to lose 11 guys - we have to be prepared that at least 1 of those guys is going to sting when he decides to leave (like Countess and Heitzman to a lesser extent).

Two other names to discuss for whatever reason could be Ross Taylor-Douglas and Freddy Canteen.

So there are names to discuss...you can rip me for it or discuss as a couple of you seemed to want to do. For the record, I hope EVERYONE is back. But if you want some names or a best guess...there you go.

[Edit: So the 5 I mentioned, Green is 6. A McCray or Marshall would be 7. Clark/Johnson would be 8. Kyle Kalis could also be in that group with Clark/Johnson. At that point you're down to 3...it's reasonable to have a couple transfers in any year. That puts you at 10. Then you have the Dukes/Dawson/Taylor-Douglas/Canteen bunch (who could also be considered in that transfer group) to make 11.]

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Alumnus93

January 4th, 2016 at 11:06 PM ^

kalis? Harbaugh has praised him a few times. I cannot imagine him not being g invited back, despite his middling play. is this possible???? a five star two yr starter no less not asked back. I say no chance. the rivals mods must be way off

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Mr. Yost

January 5th, 2016 at 9:51 AM ^

I never had Kalis...I said "I supposed Kalis would be in that group" with Johnson and Clark because they're the unlikely 5th year guys and Kalis would fall into that category. I didn't have Kalis, but others in this thread have...and my point was only that there's going to be at least 1 unlikely 5th year who's played a lot and that makes us all go "noooooooooooooo......" and the 5th poster in that thread go "In Harbaugh I Trust" like the first 4 freaking out don't trust Harbaugh.

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Mr. Yost

January 4th, 2016 at 9:04 PM ^

I don't think 1 game is going to change too much...I mean he didn't do anything in the Citrus Bowl that he hadn't already done in his career other than click his heels together after he scored.

My thought process with Johnson was two-fold, one he may WANT to hang it up. He's been banged up his entire career...he's a very thoughtful guy. I'm not calling him Chris Borland because I know neither personally. But in today's football, does it shock anyone when guys get towards the end of their career and want to hang it up before they do serious damage to themselves?

So I was trying to think of someone who may fall into that category.

My second thought process was...De'Veon is and will be the starter next year. Higdon is coming on, we're getting Walker and Isaac is back. Drake Johnson could EASILY (and like you said, this is pre-Citrus Bowl rationale) go somewhere and start from DAY 1 just like Heitzman did.

It wasn't really a predicition, just more of a "I wouldn't be as shocked as 90% of this board...and here's why" type deal.

I don't think the Citrus Bowl changes any of that really. He's just now even more of a fan favorite.

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Yessir

January 4th, 2016 at 9:39 PM ^

Like the 2nd to the last paragraph.  Understood.

 

But to disagree a little bit, Johnson's CBowl performance was a bit of a game changer for me.  He showed he's healthy.  And when he's healthy, he's a helluva back.  We didn't really have anyone backing up De'Veon when he twisted his ankle.  Johnson was that guy in the CBowl and would be next year too. 

 

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Mr. Yost

January 5th, 2016 at 9:48 AM ^

Regardless, it's going to be an interesting (somewhat scary to be honest) process. I say scary because I worry about something borderline happening that we would've scoffed at in the past (with Meyer or Saban).

I'm just hoping the numbers naturally work themselves out and I trust they will.

I do think it'll be more with the 5th year guys and a few RS Freshman or RS Sophomores transferring than anything "sketchy" taking place.

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Mr. Yost

January 4th, 2016 at 9:05 PM ^

Nordin for sure...I don't think anyone else falls into that category.

If we lose lower ranked recruits, IMO, it's because we're easing them out to get someone better.

Trading a Weaver for Nauta or a Enis for Hudson type deal.

I think we'll definitely take 27 scholarship players and Nordin as a greyshirt #28.

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