Post by bleedorange21 on Jan 6, 2024 22:05:24 GMT -8
He's from Canby, a decent 5A school but not exactly an Oregon football powerhouse. Probably under-recruited, really benefitted from the better nutrition, coaching and weight program available in college, and perhaps came in with a chip on his shoulder and with something to prove. Maybe he's really coachable. .
I think OL is one of the hardest positions to project. So many big guys who dominated in HS don't when they get to college because their weight advantage is diminished; lots of smaller guys with great frames can put on good weight and are quicker.
Again I am no expert but if you can't move, you're really at a disadvantage as an OL. Footwork and leverage are so important. I bet there are proportionately more walk-ons starting on the OL than in any other position in college football, except kickers and punters, who seldom are scholarshipped coming out of HS.
There are very few "road graders" that also have the ability to pull lead counters, sweeps, pass pro on an Edge. Even fewer yet that can do that physically and make succinct/accurate line calls that can alter who is "hot"/uncovered to pull.
If your a smash mouth, pocket passing team with an immobile QB the abilities of your OL are different than a team that runs various sets, with multiple motion, screens, draws, toss, counter influences, leaving only (5) for pass pro, moving the pocket... having multiple plays out of multiple formations that require athletic bigs to "run".
My guess from the QB recruited, Gundy's past, and the OL on the roster it will be easier for OSU to become the latter. OSU OL was good this year but very very limited in what they were able to block effectively. We were big, just not very mobile. I could care less who makes the NFL. Big, strong, athletic, "flat bellied" OL that can move (and are athletically intelligent) give a team lots of options. The 270-295 guy that is mobile and fierce... like to do his job and then go head hunting at the 2nd level and beyond. A team does not have to win 1-on-1 bull rush matchups if you have a line that can make calls, use angles, and chip/turn and get to the next level. The key guy(s) in all of this... S&C staff.
That’s why I’m glad we kept the guy that worked with Macdonald. I think he’s a very good S&C coach.