2016 OL

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

With both our tackles, Coleman and Young, leaving it seems we are going to have a depth problem there at best. And if I,m not mistaken we don't have a single OL commitment in the current class which is rated 6th in the SEC.....middle of the pack. I'm not trying to be a negative nelly but if I'm realistic this is bothersome. Your thoughts?

[FoundationEagle 637]

With both our tackles, Coleman and Young, leaving it seems we are going to have a depth problem there at best. And if I,m not mistaken we don't have a single OL commitment in the current class which is rated 6th in the SEC.....middle of the pack. I'm not trying to be a negative nelly but if I'm realistic this is bothersome. Your thoughts?

We redshirted 5 OL last year. We'll be fine

[tigerwings 75]

With both our tackles, Coleman and Young, leaving it seems we are going to have a depth problem there at best. And if I,m not mistaken we don't have a single OL commitment in the current class which is rated 6th in the SEC.....middle of the pack. I'm not trying to be a negative nelly but if I'm realistic this is bothersome. Your thoughts?

We redshirted 5 OL last year. We'll be fine

horton is supposed to be a beast and was pushing young as it was. Leff was our 6th lineman when we ran a heavy set and was into replace Shon when needed. Other than early continuity problems as the tackles gel. We should see minimal drop off.

[IronMan70 3,322]

The OT pool for next year in no order.

Leff- looked decent out there

Horton- reports are he is a good one and very strong.

James- was a 5* recruit at Texas, is coming off an injury and a redshirt.

Smith- maybe if they want to move him from OG.

Golson- a possibility, he started at OT for Ole Miss.

1 of the 5 redshirted Freshman

But yes, we need to get a good OT in the '16 class. It's more important to get the OL working together as a unit so we need to find out as soon as we can.

[Tiger 8,930]

I'm closer to pessimistic than optimistic regarding our OL next year. Replacing both tackles ouch, this could turn out to be less than desirable - think Shon Coleman his first year starting except on BOTH sides of the OL. It is going to suck having to replace 2 guys who played the most important positions on the OL. The general consensus on this board is always "the guys behind them will provide little to no dropoff" when that is probably 98% of the time not the case at all. When have we lost a player to the pros or eligibility expiring and had the replacement be BETTER in the following season? Seriously curious. Nick Marshall comes to mind but he was plucked from juco, not developed from within the program. Sammie Coates was probably better than Emory Blake so I would give Coates a nod there as well.

[IronMan70 3,322]

I'm closer to pessimistic than optimistic regarding our OL next year. Replacing both tackles ouch, this could turn out to be less than desirable - think Shon Coleman his first year starting except on BOTH sides of the OL. It is going to suck having to replace 2 guys who played the most important positions on the OL. The general consensus on this board is always "the guys behind them will provide little to no dropoff" when that is probably 98% of the time not the case at all. When have we lost a player to the pros or eligibility expiring and had the replacement be BETTER in the following season? Seriously curious. Nick Marshall comes to mind but he was plucked from juco, not developed from within the program. Sammie Coates was probably better than Emory Blake so I would give Coates a nod there as well.

No doubt about it, replacing both starting OTs and the OL coach at the same time is going to be quite a challenge to overcome.

[shabby 2,183]

Well, with Coleman leaving, there should be a whole lot less Holding penalties..... (just kidding)

[triangletiger 1,599]

If Gus decides to go with more of a dual-threat QB, that will take some of the pressure off the o-line.

[doc4aday 1,887]

If Gus decides to go with more of a dual-threat QB, that will take some of the pressure off the o-line.

I think we will see Gus going with the Juco JF-III. He needs to put on about 15 lbs of muscle and keep his speed in the 4.45 range, he will be a force to recon with. If JJ and SW can get their speed up, this would open some doors that were slammed shut this season. If JJ could get his speed between 4.55-4.60 range and being less afraid of getting hit, this would be fantastic. SW could do the same and this would be great. I wish we could have a good problem of each of these QBs running neck to neck with each other.

[AUpreacherman22 3,952]

If Gus decides to go with more of a dual-threat QB, that will take some of the pressure off the o-line.

I think we will see Gus going with the Juco JF-III. He needs to put on about 15 lbs of muscle and keep his speed in the 4.45 range, he will be a force to recon with. If JJ and SW can get their speed up, this would open some doors that were slammed shut this season. If JJ could get his speed between 4.55-4.60 range and being less afraid of getting hit, this would be fantastic. SW could do the same and this would be great. I wish we could have a good problem of each of these QBs running neck to neck with each other.

A "run first" DTQB would certainly help the New OL adjust.

However, JF3 being very fast and athletic is only part of the equation. Leadership, intelligence, skill set, and being a good enough passer to keep defenses honest are all major factors as well!

NM wasn't just a great athlete. He was a master at selling the read option. The best I've ever seen! He also had the quick wit to make the right read almost every time. The timing between NM and TM was flawless (pretty good between him and CAP also).

I hope that JF3 possesses all these skills and more, or learns them very quickly. But as for now, assuming that plugging in an excellent athlete at QB = 2013 offense is just not realistic.

Side note - I'm not saying you are making that assumption, Doc. I know that you know better than that. But I'm afraid some on this board are making that huge leap.

And I agree. I hope that all of our QBs step up, improve, and push each other towards excellence.

[AUpreacherman22 3,952]

As for the OL, I am very encouraged by what I'm hearing about Horton! We need another "Greg Robinson type" to come in and take over as a RSFR. His FR season wasn't perfect, but it was pretty good. One of the bright spots that year.

James should be pretty good. I haven't heard much from him other than he was a former 5 star and was held back by an injury.

As for our 5 RSFR, one of them is Horton. Carr and Harrell both project as OGs, and I understand that Kim has been practicing at C. That leaves only Bailey Sharp as another option at OT. I'm sure they will shuffle around as needed and as skill will allow. But if that holds true, we have Leff, James, Horton, and Sharp as our 4 OTs. Only one has played a down as a OL at AU! A lot of potential, but only potential at this point.

Here's my way too early OL for 2016:

LT - D. James

Horton

LG - Kozan

Adams/Carr

C. - Golson

Kim

RG - B. Smith

Mix/Harrell

RT - Leff

Sharp

Your thoughts?

[alexava 6,998]

As for the OL, I am very encouraged by what I'm hearing about Horton! We need another "Greg Robinson type" to come in and take over as a RSFR. His FR season wasn't perfect, but it was pretty good. One of the bright spots that year.

James should be pretty good. I haven't heard much from him other than he was a former 5 star and was held back by an injury.

As for our 5 RSFR, one of them is Horton. Carr and Harrell both project as OGs, and I understand that Kim has been practicing at C. That leaves only Bailey Sharp as another option at OT. I'm sure they will shuffle around as needed and as skill will allow. But if that holds true, we have Leff, James, Horton, and Sharp as our 4 OTs. Only one has played a down as a OL at AU! A lot of potential, but only potential at this point.

Here's my way too early OL for 2016:

LT - D. James

Horton

LG - Kozan

Adams/Carr

C. - Golson

Kim

RG - B. Smith

Mix/Harrell

RT - Leff

Sharp

Your thoughts?

do we have an Adams on oline?

[McLoofus 35,182]

Correction to the OP: we have Brodarious (sp) Hamm committed.

[thaitopher 807]

So is Jordan Diamond a complete failure? I think he committed when Young committed.

[Timeslider 6 275]

Diamond's injury has really left him behind the other O linemen,

[AU64 10,122]

Diamond's injury has really left him behind the other O linemen,

Don;t know that he has been fully healthy his entire time at AU....too bad because he seemed to have everything to be successful.

[AUpreacherman22 3,952]

Isn't Will Adams still with the team? He should be a SR this year. Am I right?

[AU64 10,122]

Isn't Will Adams still with the team? He should be a SR this year. Am I right?

He's moved on ....Boise State I believe.

We have a good group it seems....and if I recall, Clemson replaced their entire OL to start this season and looked pretty good. JMO but I don't see the OL as being that high on our list of possible problems for 2016.

[AUpreacherman22 3,952]

Isn't Will Adams still with the team? He should be a SR this year. Am I right?

He's moved on ....Boise State I believe.

We have a good group it seems....and if I recall, Clemson replaced their entire OL to start this season and looked pretty good. JMO but I don't see the OL as being that high on our list of possible problems for 2016.

Ahh, thanks! I missed that somehow.

I agree. We have recruited well at OL the last several years.

[Au4life23 6]

Isn't Will Adams still with the team? He should be a SR this year. Am I right?

He's moved on ....Boise State I believe.

We have a good group it seems....and if I recall, Clemson replaced their entire OL to start this season and looked pretty good. JMO but I don't see the OL as being that high on our list of possible problems for 2016.

Ahh, thanks! I missed that somehow.

I agree. We have recruited well at OL the last several years.

here is a link for that yes its al.com.... http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2015/12/auburn_offensive_lineman_will_adams_transfer_boise_state.html

[Au4life23 6]

We have

Austin Golsen-C

Mike Horton - G

Bailey Sharp - G

Tyler Carr - G

Marquel Harrell - G

Alex Kozan- G

Deon Mix-G

Robert Leff- G

Jordon Diamond - G

Ryan Meneely

Tucker Brown

Mathew Tyler

Blake Snow

Kaleb King- T

Braden Smith- T

Brodarious Hamm is coming in a Tackle

[AuburnSpider 2]

Got to hand to Coleman for all he went thru but I just don't think we suffer due to his absence. The O Line just did not perform consistantly at a high level. This next line if it can avoid injuries and coalesce behind a new coach can be extra special.

[Randman5000 4,462]

We have

Austin Golsen-C

Mike Horton - G

Bailey Sharp - G

Tyler Carr - G

Marquel Harrell - G

Alex Kozan- G

Deon Mix-G

Robert Leff- G

Jordon Diamond - G

Ryan Meneely

Tucker Brown

Mathew Tyler

Blake Snow

Kaleb King- T

Braden Smith- T

Brodarious Hamm is coming in a Tackle

I think king is a center. Or at least that's what we recruited him for.

I am hoping Deon Mix makes some noise. He's put in his time. Hoping James gets some playing time as well.

[autan 871]

Got to hand to Coleman for all he went thru but I just don't think we suffer due to his absence. The O Line just did not perform consistantly at a high level. This next line if it can avoid injuries and coalesce behind a new coach can be extra special.

I gotta agree. Shon went from an elite recruit to a so-so SEC OT because of that dreaded disease. But his story is remarkable and inspiring. He had to come out now and give it a shot if he had any hope of fulfilling his dream. We'll all be pulling for you Shon.

[autan 871]

We have

Austin Golsen-C

Mike Horton - G

Bailey Sharp - G

Tyler Carr - G

Marquel Harrell - G

Alex Kozan- G

Deon Mix-G

Robert Leff- G

Jordon Diamond - G

Ryan Meneely

Tucker Brown

Mathew Tyler

Blake Snow

Kaleb King- T

Braden Smith- T

Brodarious Hamm is coming in a Tackle

I think king is a center. Or at least that's what we recruited him for.

I am hoping Deon Mix makes some noise. He's put in his time. Hoping James gets some playing time as well.

Sharp was recruited as a tackle. Leff is a tackle and Horton may get a look there as well. But I get your point . We are guard/center heavy right now.