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Our oline.

Calinative said:
Idk if it’s just me but I’m genuinely not at all worried about guard.

Between Samson, McCoy, Buchanan, Rodriguez (if SJ is able to start at center), Minaya, and this transfer, I’m highly confident we will get solid OG play. Plus if just one of the opinion guards are the least important position on the Oline.

To me this is all about Center and OT. And I’d feel pretty confident in Rodriguez. I wish SJ was like 2 inches taller, but if staff felt he was ready I’d rock with it, cause they they have been quick to get portal center 3 times AND Nino portalled out asap. So to me it seems clear the answer at OC is confidently on the roster.

So that really only leaves OT. And obviously Cantwell is gunna earn on of those jobs. The question is will one of those guys truly earn the other OT job, or just win it due to being best option….tbd.

I feel our best line up option right now is likely to be
LT - Samson / McCoy / Congdon or Ervin
LG - McCoy / Rodriguez or Merrywheather / Minaya
C - Rodriguez / SJ / Buchanan
RG - Buchanan / Rodriguez or Merrywheather / Minaya
RT - Cantwell / Tbd

I will say I’d still like Kinsler back to add to the competition and as a guy whose been developing for a few years now
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For the most part you're pretty spot on. I'm really curious if we're ready to slide Samson out I think he's been playing guard so heavy this year because the plan is kick him out to left tackle I'm a little curious what we're going to do our right I know we don't want necessarily to be starting Jackson but I wouldn't be mad if he's in the rotation. Guard I don't think we'll have any issue at God's where I'm confident center is going to come down to either SJ or I know we feel pretty confident about after another year and strengthen conditioning or Rodriguez either of those I'm perfectly happy with I think Rodriguez is far better than McCoy in my own eyes I wouldn't be mad either way that works out I think we'll have a good rotation either way it goes but having a good rotation and then being anywhere near what we've had the last 2 years is it necessarily the same thing. A mobile QB helps in that aspect but it also hurts our running game. It's a tricky line to have a QB who's so adept with his legs but can also pick a defense apart with his arms. Have a new line being broken while dealing with that probably is going to lead to a lot of undisciplined play. But I'm here for it I just think we're going to have to start next season off heavy possession before we transition out to a more explosive game if we start explosive that tells you exactly what Mario and Cole think about our offensive line moving forward.
 
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CaneMutiny06 said:
IMO ‘24 because Carpenter > Brockermeyer and Rivers was better than McCoy at guard.

‘23 was better than both though. That was one of the best OL’s in school history.
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When you get bored take a look at what's BMAC in Joelle or able to do when they were here. As good as this offensive line was I think it's far better than 23 and 24 If you get bored take a look and then come back and post about that offensive line. By far the best offensive line in the history of the program. And we've had some good ones this one 24 both being in comparison for that but when you say the best it starts and ends with bmac and Joelle
 
All this late night oline talk getting me going

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Pretty clear there will be an open competition at LT, whoever doesn’t get that spot will end up at Guard. This is assuming Cantwell is the RT
 
Okunlola was rated as an elite 5 star Tackle just like CC. The torn MCL derailed him as a freshman in 2023 and by the time he was ready to comeback in 2024 we had a crowded Oline with the right side set in stone and Bell, Rivers, and McCoy on the left but Pancake still played a decent amount in '24. I don't see why he couldn't step in and be as good if not better than Bell was at LT. He likely won't be the pass blocker Bell was but I feel like he'd be a much better run blocker.

LT- Okunlola
LG- Meriweather? Buchanan?
C-Rodriguez/SJ
RG-McCoy
RT-Cantwell

That's not a bad line. Might be really good. It's a thin group though especially at Tackle. They probably need to add someone who can play to give the units performance a floor but I trust Mario and staff to handle it the right away. I can't see him putting out a unit that's anything short of solid.
 
Brooklyndee said:
For the most part you're pretty spot on. I'm really curious if we're ready to slide Samson out I think he's been playing guard so heavy this year because the plan is kick him out to left tackle I'm a little curious what we're going to do our right I know we don't want necessarily to be starting Jackson but I wouldn't be mad if he's in the rotation. Guard I don't think we'll have any issue at God's where I'm confident center is going to come down to either SJ or I know we feel pretty confident about after another year and strengthen conditioning or Rodriguez either of those I'm perfectly happy with I think Rodriguez is far better than McCoy in my own eyes I wouldn't be mad either way that works out I think we'll have a good rotation either way it goes but having a good rotation and then being anywhere near what we've had the last 2 years is it necessarily the same thing. A mobile QB helps in that aspect but it also hurts our running game. It's a tricky line to have a QB who's so adept with his legs but can also pick a defense apart with his arms. Have a new line being broken while dealing with that probably is going to lead to a lot of undisciplined play. But I'm here for it I just think we're going to have to start next season off heavy possession before we transition out to a more explosive game if we start explosive that tells you exactly what Mario and Cole think about our offensive line moving forward.
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Yeah I think Samson would win an open comp given he's blows less pass protection assignments than McCoy (or just less complete whiffs).

I will say though IF samson ends up just sticking at guard, I want him to be next to Cantwell. So either move to RG, or stay LG and Cantwell is the long term LT (unlike most I don't particularly think it matters which side guys play, you just play them at the side they are specifically best at). If Samson is at Guard, Putting him next to Cantwell would be a real nice help for a true frosh imo. However because I don't feel McCoy is all that great in passpro, if Samson wins the LT job, and if Buchanan is the winner of the other guard competition... It could be pretty beneficial long-term to have Buchanan+Cantwell just teaming up to lock down the right side of the Oline for the next 3 years... Would obviously likely take some lumps early and have growing pains first year... but I really like both, and having the Right side 100% locked up for 3 years would be awesome like we had Anez+Sisi
 
I believe it'll be the following

LT - Samson
LG - Rodriguez
C - SJ
RG - McCoy
RT - Cantwell

Samson has tackle feet. It took him a few years to put it together, but the way he explodes out of his stance and steps is just like you want it from a tackle. Rodriguez was the starter two years ago and then injured. Basically didn't need him this year, could recover and fix his body. SJ looked like a player who bulked up and needed a season to understand his body. The mere fact they kept playing him as a FB in Goalline, which is one of the key positions to make Goalline work, shows a decent level of faith in his athletic ability. But he appeared to me that he needed strength work at the POA.

McCoy will start at G. Still doesn't appear to be well in shape. He's inconsistent as a result and exchanges reps with Samson. If he executes everything how he is supposed to, the DT is stonewalled. If he does not, it's a clean whiff. Cantwell is the next RT here. I don't get where these sudden doubts appear on whether he can play or not his first year. He's enrolled early, is an elite shot putter with crazy strength numbers and has frame to add weight easily... Mirabal has worked with far less talented tackles prospects in his tenure and made it work.
 
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Get Broderick Shull from Auburn. 6’5” 327 lb. kid from Oklahoma. Mirabal could mold this kid for 2-3 years here. Was a 4* coming out.

Oh, and bring Kinsler back. Get both of them and still have Seaton NIL $$ left over.
 
HarrietTubmanCane said:
Kinsler and Plazz portalling tells me what I need to know about the OL room. Those two are good players.

Kinsler would have easily started for any Richt or Manny team. The floor is waaaaay different and the ceiling is much higher now.
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They both may have entered because they were told we were pursuing Seaton and he was guaranteed a spot.

Now that he's not coming, maybe Kinsler decides to stay. He hasn't signed/committed anywhere as far as I can tell. Maybe that's what he's been waiting for.
 
I will say this under Mario. When we have an issue - roster issues, coaching and staff moves - I know we will be as good or better! That thought process has not been in my mind for decades. Cristobal has the benefit of the doubt. Under past coaches the pucker factor was high. I knew we would be downgraded. Our competitors would feast off our carcass, and nothing happed! Like Manny at Duke and Mensah.
 
If we can get back to having a legit threat at quarterback, we won’t be as reliant on the offensive line being perfect. Jalen Rivers is a good player but losing him isn’t the reason we go worse in practically every offensive metric this year.

Not a shot at Beck. He was our best option but it was very obvious that Dawson had to call games to protect him. With a quarterback we can trust a little more, it should open up everything.
 
LuCane said:
My biggest concern with Seaton was he appeared to undercut what Mario's all about. Say whatever you want about Mario, but the team's tough and plays together. You can bring in a star who might not be perfect for that, but at OL? Meh. I just hope some of the question marks resolve themselves over spring ball. If Buchanan or Minaya ball out and Rodriguez stays healthy, with Mensah's feet, I feel ok.
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Your last part begs the question…how mobile is Mensah? I guess I need to rid myself of the stereotype that all black QBs are mobile because I looked up Mensahs rushing yards this year and was a little shocked at how bad it was. I thought he was a Mateer level mobile QB at least but the numbers don’t show that.
 
Jassid82 said:
Your last part begs the question…how mobile is Mensah? I guess I need to rid myself of the stereotype that all black QBs are mobile because I looked up Mensahs rushing yards this year and was a little shocked at how bad it was. I thought he was a Mateer level mobile QB at least but the numbers don’t show that.
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He’s not a runner. He moves in the pocket well. He moves to extend plays and keeps his eyes downfield. Not quite what we saw from Cam. Still a lot different of a style than we saw this year with Beck. Mensah can get off his spot when he needs to.
 
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If I had to guess, the starting 5 Okunlola, McCoy, Rodriguez, ?, Cantwell. The guard next to Cantwell will probably be btw Minaya, Buchanan, and Meriweather.

Add Broderick Shull and another OG/C prospect.
 
Im assuming mario will look for a couple more players for depth that have a lot of reps..especially at center.
 
We probably need 1 of Congdon, Ervin, Pickett, Sparks, Woodrow, Meriweather, Buchannon, Campbell, Wilkerson, or Minya to pop.
 
LuCane said:
My hope is we get Anez Cooper Sophomore year output from either Buchanan or Minaya.

My biggest concerns in order:

1. Mccoy has never played LT for any extended period
2. Rodriguez has never stayed healthy, and no one is behind him
3. Unknown at RG
4. Cantwell in pass block
5. Okunlola getting bored murdering people at LG
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Do we then try Samson at LT? I’m sure they’ll be trying all sorts of combinations in the spring, we are going to be very young anyway you look at it but there is talent.
 
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