Offensive Line to be Full of Experienced Veterans
July 30, 2003 | Football
July 30, 2003
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A talented, but young and inexperienced group a year ago, the suddenly veteran offensive line returns nearly intact and ready to turn an Achilles heel into a strength for the Cardinal offense. Replacing four of five starters on the line a year ago, the Cards have the luxury of adding only one new face to the mix this year, offensive line coach Mike Summers.
A 22-year veteran of the coaching ranks, Summers has a tremendous track record on the offensive side of the ball and comes to U of L after tutoring an offensive line at Ohio University which helped the Bobcats rank among the nation's top 10 teams in rushing in each of the last two seasons. The Cards' third offensive line coach in as many seasons, Summers will provide stability and guidance for a young and talented unit which has the ability to rank among the best in Conference USA.
Unlike a year ago, when they saw tremendous turnover on the line, the Cards return four of five starters and several key veterans eager to make a name for themselves this season.
The anchor of the line over the last two seasons, senior center Dan Koons will likely be flanked in the starting lineup by a pair of sophomores on the weak side, with Travis Leffew at tackle and Jason Spitz at guard, and a pair of seniors on the strong side, with Jerry Spencer at guard and Jason Hilliard at tackle.
A battle-tested veteran with 20 consecutive starting assignments under his belt, Koons leads by example and will be key to the transition of the new starting quarterback.
A talented prospect who impressed last season, redshirt freshman Michael Sturgeon appears to be the heir apparent at center, but will be forced into a back-up role this year.
A starter in all 13 games last season and a member of The Sporting News and C-USA all-freshman teams, Leffew is an athletic prospect who has the talent to develop into one of the league's top offensive linemen for years to come, while sophomore Bubba Marshall will add depth at the tackle position.
 Sophomore Travis Leffew was a member of The Sporting News and C-USA all-freshman teams last year  | |
One of the strongest members of the team and an extremely bright and aggressive young lineman, Spitz appears to be fully recovered from a knee injury which cost him nearly half of his redshirt freshman season. An impressive prospect a year ago when he logged six starting assignments at strong guard, Spitz appears to have found a home on the other side of center this season at weak guard. Senior Chad Pinkston, who saw action on both sides of the ball a year ago, and redshirt freshman Jon Scarborough figure to play behind Spitz.
A junior college transfer who impressed in his first season at the I-A level, Spencer will move inside to the strong guard spot after earning the starting nod at strong tackle in all 13 games last season.
A big, strong and technically sound veteran who was extremely productive but limited by injuries a year ago, junior Will Rabatin will be pushing Spencer hard for the starting slot at strong guard. With five starts between weak and strong guard a year ago, Rabatin offers the coaching staff a grizzled veteran who can offer depth at a multitude of positions along the front.
Spencer's move inside paved the way for Jason Hilliard, a massive senior with considerable game experience, to join the starting lineup at strong tackle. At 6-6 and 340-pounds, Hilliard was a force to be reckoned with over the second half of last season and rolled that over into the offseason where he has impressed the coaching staff with his quickness, hard work and leadership skills. Pushing Hilliard for playing time and the heir apparent at the position is redshirt freshman Renardo Foster, who played on the defensive line last year.
Coming Thursday: A preview of the Defense and Defensive Line
