With spring practice right around the corner for the Hilltoppers, WKUSports.com breaks down the position groups every weekday leading up to March 17.
Today's focus is the Hilltopper offensive line.
WKU has built an offensive juggernaut and no offense succeeds without the benefit of a tough bunch of linemen up front. For the Hilltoppers and offensive line coach Neil Callaway, it has been a patchwork job at times, but the Tops have always come through strong in the end.
Breaking down 2014:
Entering fall camp last season, there were times where those around the program wondered if WKU would even have five healthy offensive linemen to enter the season with seemingly every starter coming up with something throughout fall camp. However, once the season began, it was pedal to the metal and the Tops never looked back, steamrolling their way to another broken record in total offensive output for the second consecutive season.
WKU replaced departed seniors and longtime starters in Luis Polanco, Sean Conway and Ed Hazelett but began much of that process back in 2013 when Conway and Hazelett both missed time due to various injuries. In their steads, Max Halpin, Derrick Stark and Darrel Williams all got meaningful time and the emergence of a redshirt freshman named Forrest Lamp in 2013 set WKU up for their successful 2014 season.
Looking at 2015:
After losing Halpin to injury just three games into the season, Stark took over at center and will need to be replaced, potentially by Halpin who looks to return this spring from injury. On the right side, Williams and mid-season Louisville transfer Joe Manley split reps at guard in 2014 and return in 2015, but four-year starter and team captain Cameron Clemmons' graduation leaves a void at tackle that cannot be understated. Rising junior Matt Nord, who filled it for Clemmons in spurts last season, looks to step up at fend off competition from Williams for the starting spot.
On the left side, quarterback Brandon Doughty has to feel comfortable with perhaps the team's top offensive lineman, Lamp, returning for his third season at left tackle and freshman All-American Brandon Ray at right guard.
The Tops will get to see what redshirt freshman Dennis Edwards, another competitor for the center job, can do this spring after he impressed during his redshirt season last season, and the team has also added freshmen Cullen Reynolds and R.J. Scaife who will go through spring ball with the team and look to provide depth this fall. Overall, WKU returns nine offensive linemen including five who played solid, meaningful reps for the offense last season (Lamp, Ray, Williams, Manley and Nord) and with the return of Halpin, the offensive front has every reason to expect another dominant season in the trenches.
Positional Breakdown:
Returning (9):
Matt Boston
Dennis Edwards
Max Halpin
Forrest Lamp
Scott Leibert
Matt Nord
Brandon Ray
Jimmie Sims
Darrell Williams
Additions (2)
Cullen Reynolds
R.J. Scaife
Letterman Lost (2)
Cameron Clemmons
Derrick Stark
