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SPORTS / THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
FOOTBALL
Experienced offensive linemen to return to every position next season
BY JAYSON JENKS
jjenks@kansan.com
After finishing practice Monday, junior offensive lineman Brad Thorson stood outside Kansas' practice fields and waited.
With quarterbacks available for the first time this spring, most media members walked their way around the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Thorson. They wanted to find the guys in red — the quarterbacks.
But if the Jayhawks are to win games in coach Turner Gill's first season, Thorson and the rest of the offensive line will be equally important.
One of Kansas most experienced units, the offensive line will be charged with protecting a first-year starting quarterback while also opening lanes for a more emphasized running game.
"It's a good start," offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Chuck Long said. "Having the offensive line back with experience does help, especially with young quarterbacks. Protection is a lot better when they know what they're doing. It makes it a lot better for young quarterbacks breaking in."
With the departures of quarterback Todd Reesing, running back Jake Sharp and wide receivers Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe, Long estimated that Kansas lost 80 percent of its offensive production
from last season.
That leaves the offensive line — a position of uncertainty a year ago — as the experienced centerpiece of the offense.
Offensive linemen Jeremiah Hatch, Jeff Spikes, Trevor Marrongelli, Sal Capra, Tanner Hawkinson and Thorson each started in at least two games last season.
"Because they have a lot of expe
rience, they react quicker to stress situations," offensive line coach J.B. Grimes said. "They're able to step up and take on a little more of a leadership role. When you're out there and your mind is spinning, it's hard to be a leader."
"Because they have a lot of experience, they react quicker to stress situations."
Thorson insisted that wasn't the case last season, when the offensive line entered the year as a question mark. Though, at times, it appeared that way.
only players to remain at the same position. Everyone else changed positions - and did so rather frequently - as former coach Mark Mangino searched for a suitable combination.
Only Spikes and Hatch had significant playing time entering last season and, in turn, the inexperienced offensive line occasionally struggled.
Plus, the jayhawks never settled on a consistent starting lineup.
J. B. GRIMES offensive line coach
Hatch and Hawkinson were the
"We let Todd down a little bit in the middle of the season," Thorson said. "Sacks kind of crept up on us, but we got things under control in the end. As an offensive line, we finished the season on a better
note at the end of the season than in the middle of the season."
Kansas has offensive linemen returning at every position, including center and left tackle — the two positions generally regarded as the most important spots along the
offensive line
Hawkinson entered Kansas as a 243-pound tight end two years ago, but he bulked up and switched to offensive line before last season. He earned All-Big. 12 Honorable Mention.
Hatch played offensive tackle as a freshman before moving back to center, his natural position, last season. He returns to anchor Kansas' offensive line this year.
"On any football team I've ever
1. GO TO KU ENROLL AND PAY. 2. ENROLL IN ENTR 301. 3. YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY TO STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS
had an opportunity to coach on, that position is so very important to be the quarterback of the offensive line." Grimes said. "It's so pleasing to us to have someone with some experience."
Grimes explained the weaknesses of the offensive line and said that, besides the returning players from last year, the Jayhawks lack experience.
But as Grimes said, the only way to gain experience is to actually play. Many of Kansas' offensive linemen did just that last season — a fact Thorson said should only help the Jayhawks this season.
"We sit in the same room for, gosh, I can't even count how many hours," Thorson said. "We got really used to how each of us sees stuff and how we're calling stuff."
Edited by Kate Larrabee
Ryan Waggoner/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Sophomore offensive lineman Jeremiah Hatch opens a hole for freshman running back Toben Opurum against Iowa State during the first half of last season's game on Oct. 10. Hatch returns to an experienced offensive line, which must protect a new quarterback next season.
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