Your 2025 Offensive Line

[GoSU96]

Would be pretty wild for a true freshman OL to start but stranger things have happened.

Yeah. If that’s true the guy is on the path of being a day one pick in three years

 

[HoustonCuse]

Just to put this in perspective for us older dudes. Refrigerator Perry was 6’2” 335. Essentially would be a shorty in this group with about average weight. That’s insane.

 

[Cusefan69]

I know people keep saying Khalil Stewart is a frosh but center seems really thin and the kid is 6'4 330 and has been playing center. One of the top oline in PA. I think he finds his way into some reps around game 3 or 4.

 

[BillSU]

Our 2025 Offensive Line Average: 6' 5" 327.5

 

[CbusCuse]

I know people keep saying Khalil Stewart is a frosh but center seems really thin and the kid is 6'4 330 and has been playing center. One of the top oline in PA. I think he finds his way into some reps around game 3 or 4.

From Fran's comments earlier in the week it sounds like Josh Miller and someone else were the current back-ups at Center, at least until they see more of Khalil Stewart.

 

[GoSU96]

I know people keep saying Khalil Stewart is a frosh but center seems really thin and the kid is 6'4 330 and has been playing center. One of the top oline in PA. I think he finds his way into some reps around game 3 or 4.

Collins and Miller

 

[CbusCuse]

I can't imagine the staff thinks that 400 lbs is his optimal playing weight. Not all players will be at what the staff has said is optimal. But i'm also guessing Washington may be a fair amount under 400 lbs and they rounded up to that as they like the shock value that brings.

 

[Nick44]

We’ve come a long way from when our fullback Rhino needed to play noise tackle or guard.

 

[RF2044]

That Chad Smith interview was inspiring.

Impressive.

 

[0.2 YNdeeR]

That Chad Smith interview was inspiring.

Impressive.

Inspiring in a 'Parris Island' kind of way.

 

[shu 49]

Does it?

I don’t think they would let the player just get fat. Add Briown citing him. He’s not doing that if Washington isn’t DART

He didnt look fat from a pick i saw a few weeks ago. The kid is a big shouldered guy who can carry weight distributed well.

 

[bnoro]

I know people keep saying Khalil Stewart is a frosh but center seems really thin and the kid is 6'4 330 and has been playing center. One of the top oline in PA. I think he finds his way into some reps around game 3 or 4.

Again, it's not about what his current size is, it's the blocking assignments, the line calls, dealing with senior 350lb DTs that are in shape on the other side of the ball.

True freshman OL should be redshirting whenever possible.

 

[shu 49]

From Fran's comments earlier in the week it sounds like Josh Miller and someone else were the current back-ups at Center, at least until they see more of Khalil Stewart.

I have said before, center is the hardest place to start as frosh. You are the point person on the line and need to know all plays and exactly what each guy is doing. Then u have to figure the front and way yiur taught to block it while the dline is sliding back and forth. The frosh might be physical enough and big enough but the mentsl aspect is really difficult to overcome. Its not impossible, just improbable.

 

[shu 49]

We do have makings of a jumbo oline in short yardage. Pringle at rg, washington rt, slide spoon to te spot or run over on that side. Man that would be pure power.

 

[sufandu]

Again, it's not about what his current size is, it's the blocking assignments, the line calls, dealing with senior 350lb DTs that are in shape on the other side of the ball.

True freshman OL should be redshirting whenever possible.

I think the transfer portal era changes the equation a little. If it's neck and neck between a veteran and a true freshman, I may pick the freshman so he's less likely to leave. Then again, if he plays great and a factory wants to throw him a bag, that strategy may backfire.

 

[bnoro]

I think the transfer portal era changes the equation a little. If it's neck and neck between a veteran and a true freshman, I may pick the freshman so he's likely to leave. Then again, if he plays great and a factory wants to throw him a bag, tat strategy may backfire.

But it's not going to be neck and neck here. There is a massive learning curve, and no indication that he's even in the mix (besides the posts here).

You don't start a lesser player because you are worried about the transfer portal.

 

[Cusefan69]

Again, it's not about what his current size is, it's the blocking assignments, the line calls, dealing with senior 350lb DTs that are in shape on the other side of the ball.

True freshman OL should be redshirting whenever possible.

"Again"? Really dude? I understand that Bnoro. I have played and watched football longer than you have been alive. First off I said he could see some reps by game 3 or 4. Second the days of redshirting like normal are falling to the wayside. Third inherent in saying he played center in PA and high school is that he understands fundamentally how to play which includes making reads and assignment calls. Lastly you act like he has to learn Mandarin before he can see the field. I didn't say start, I just said he could see some reps. I get its being able to recognize formations and make the correct calls for the group amongst other elements. That said I think you are undervaluing the fact that Fran wants to win and without exception he will play anyone including freshman at any position. Collins is a center. Miller has not played center so I am not sure he has any huge advantages being the backup. Stewart has the size right now and strength and has played center throughout high school. You are also not taking into account he is practicing, watching film, having sessions with the coach who is showing him who to key on. Lastly freshman lineman start at programs literally every year so your making 100 percent declarations that he can't play cuz he doesn't know the calls and/or recognize formations enough by game 3 or 4 seems over the top. Just my opinion.

 

[All4SU]

I'm wondering if these numbers are a little altered...what are the chances of everyone on the line being in 5lb increments? It doesn't seem right

Round up. What’s two or three pounds when you’re 335.

 

[OrangeinBoston]

Lastly freshman lineman start at programs literally every year

Agree. Redshirting at any position is old-school. If you don't have freshmen playing, you're not recruiting well.

 

[cusefan88]

"Again"? Really dude? I understand that Bnoro. I have played and watched football longer than you have been alive. First off I said he could see some reps by game 3 or 4. Second the days of redshirting like normal are falling to the wayside. Third inherent in saying he played center in PA and high school is that he understands fundamentally how to play which includes making reads and assignment calls. Lastly you act like he has to learn Mandarin before he can see the field. I didn't say start, I just said he could see some reps. I get its being able to recognize formations and make the correct calls for the group amongst other elements. That said I think you are undervaluing the fact that Fran wants to win and without exception he will play anyone including freshman at any position. Collins is a center. Miller has not played center so I am not sure he has any huge advantages being the backup. Stewart has the size right now and strength and has played center throughout high school. You are also not taking into account he is practicing, watching film, having sessions with the coach who is showing him who to key on. Lastly freshman lineman start at programs literally every year so your making 100 percent declarations that he can't play cuz he doesn't know the calls and/or recognize formations enough by game 3 or 4 seems over the top. Just my opinion.

This article has the data on true freshman starting.

How many of the Top 50 True Frosh OL’s have played the last four years? - Phil Steele

The last few years I have put out daily blogs that listed all the True Freshmen at each position and given you an idea of how many actually played in their first year on campus. I will go thru each position and show you how many have played the last three years, so you know [...]Read More...

philsteele.com

 

[wfschrec]

This article has the data on true freshman starting.

How many of the Top 50 True Frosh OL’s have played the last four years? - Phil Steele

The last few years I have put out daily blogs that listed all the True Freshmen at each position and given you an idea of how many actually played in their first year on campus. I will go thru each position and show you how many have played the last three years, so you know [...]Read More...

philsteele.com

Zach Rice gets a mention in there

 

[VA Citrus]

I'm having fantasies about a 170 lb CB having to defend Byron Washington as a short yardage TE on a goal line play. What chance would a 6'3 240 lb linebacker have against him either?

We've come a long way from the baby faced 2 star 265 lb lineman from PA we used to sign and try to develop. Occasionally you'd hit on a Justin Pugh but few survived four years of development without mediocrity or concussion issues. It's a big man game, and Fran seems to be able to find massive humans. Lets see if Nixon and Dale Williams can turn these monsters into a cohesive unit.

 

[donniesyracuse]

I'm having fantasies about a 170 lb CB having to defend Byron Washington as a short yardage TE on a goal line play.

My fantasies are much better than yours.

 

[bnoro]

"Again"? Really dude? I understand that Bnoro. I have played and watched football longer than you have been alive. First off I said he could see some reps by game 3 or 4. Second the days of redshirting like normal are falling to the wayside. Third inherent in saying he played center in PA and high school is that he understands fundamentally how to play which includes making reads and assignment calls. Lastly you act like he has to learn Mandarin before he can see the field. I didn't say start, I just said he could see some reps. I get its being able to recognize formations and make the correct calls for the group amongst other elements. That said I think you are undervaluing the fact that Fran wants to win and without exception he will play anyone including freshman at any position. Collins is a center. Miller has not played center so I am not sure he has any huge advantages being the backup. Stewart has the size right now and strength and has played center throughout high school. You are also not taking into account he is practicing, watching film, having sessions with the coach who is showing him who to key on. Lastly freshman lineman start at programs literally every year so your making 100 percent declarations that he can't play cuz he doesn't know the calls and/or recognize formations enough by game 3 or 4 seems over the top. Just my opinion.

You're old, we get it. Doesn't make you right.

Unless they get injured or it's a 35 point game, the starting C should be seeing every snap. I'm rooting for the kid but you're acting like he's the second coming of Jim Ringo.

 

[sufandu]

But it's not going to be neck and neck here. There is a massive learning curve, and no indication that he's even in the mix (besides the posts here).

You don't start a lesser player because you are worried about the transfer portal.

I agree. That's why I said what I said. My response was to your last sentence that came across as a blanket statement. There are freshman olineman that start all over the country. They usually end up high draft picks. Matthew Bergeron was one for us. You don't redshirt those.