If Gus Malzahn wants to run his spread with a power run game
then offensive line coach JB Grimes will need to mold this group of linemen to
fit that style of game. They will need
to be able to be a physical bunch while at the same time being in the type of
shape that is required to run the tempo that Malzahn requires. The depth chart will more than likely be in
flux up to game week vs. Oregon and very well could continue to fluctuate
throughout the fall.
Eric Allen (6'1 300 RSR) has impressed the coaching staff this spring at center but will need to continue to get into the better shape. Allen has seen time as a starter in 2009 when Tom Castilaw went down with an injury. Castilaw’s graduation leaves ASU without the leader of their offensive line and their best lineman and that will be tough to overcome. Allen has been the backup for 3 years now and will need to step up to try and fill that loss as best as possible. I think ultimately the battle at center will be for the backup role. Tyler Greve (6'3 295 RSO) should have the lead for that spot, but will have to battle Kevin Galindo (6'5 295 RSR) and incoming freshman Bryce Giddens (6'0 285 FR). Greve has worked at center for the past two seasons and has learned under both Castilaw and Allen. Galindo is just learning the position. He was a tight end in junior college and moved to offensive tackle when he arrived at Arkansas State in 2011. Galindo will more than likely compete not only at the center position but also at other spots along the line. Giddens is the heir apparent and may be expected to win the job in the spring of 2013. However he could very well come in and compete for playing time this fall. The coaching staff has made the statement many times that Giddens is good enough to be a four year starter. It would probably be best to redshirt Giddens and Greve's ability to step up as a backup will determine if that happens.
Steven Haunga (6'2 315 RJR) is a junior college transfer that arrived on campus in 2011 and was redshirted. Haunga probably is very happy with the change to a more power run game this year. He is a very good fit for that style and may very well have taken charge of the left guard position. Cliff Mitchell (6'5 305 RJR) and Jake Campbell (6'6 320 RJR) split time last fall at right guard. Mitchell was working as the number one right guard this spring but sprang a knee on the first play of the Spring Game. Campbell was not available all spring rehabbing an injury. Both will need to be healthy this fall as a need for experience linemen to protect Aplin and to open holes for the run game is a priority. Both linemen can move a little and both have the skills to be physical but both need to embrace the nastiness offensive linemen need in a power run game. Alan Wright (6'4 295 RSO) also has a chance to jump into that 2 deep. Wright saw a lot of action this spring with Campbell out and has improved his technique. He still has a ways to go but should compete throughout fall camp. If Travis Bodenstein (6'5 315 RFR) receives his waiver to be eligible this fall after transferring from Kansas then he will for sure jump into the mix. He is the big physical lineman that Grimes likes and could even push Huanga at left guard or get into the battle at right guard. Michael Flint (6'3 300 FR), John Roach (6'2 290 RSO), and Colton Jackson (6'5 260 FR) all will have a chance to compete when fall rolls around. Flint is a top recruit that may be the guy that could jump in the mix the quickest. Similar to Giddens at center, I am sure Grimes would prefer to redshirt Flint and Jackson.
Eric Allen (6'1 300 RSR) has impressed the coaching staff this spring at center but will need to continue to get into the better shape. Allen has seen time as a starter in 2009 when Tom Castilaw went down with an injury. Castilaw’s graduation leaves ASU without the leader of their offensive line and their best lineman and that will be tough to overcome. Allen has been the backup for 3 years now and will need to step up to try and fill that loss as best as possible. I think ultimately the battle at center will be for the backup role. Tyler Greve (6'3 295 RSO) should have the lead for that spot, but will have to battle Kevin Galindo (6'5 295 RSR) and incoming freshman Bryce Giddens (6'0 285 FR). Greve has worked at center for the past two seasons and has learned under both Castilaw and Allen. Galindo is just learning the position. He was a tight end in junior college and moved to offensive tackle when he arrived at Arkansas State in 2011. Galindo will more than likely compete not only at the center position but also at other spots along the line. Giddens is the heir apparent and may be expected to win the job in the spring of 2013. However he could very well come in and compete for playing time this fall. The coaching staff has made the statement many times that Giddens is good enough to be a four year starter. It would probably be best to redshirt Giddens and Greve's ability to step up as a backup will determine if that happens.
Steven Haunga (6'2 315 RJR) is a junior college transfer that arrived on campus in 2011 and was redshirted. Haunga probably is very happy with the change to a more power run game this year. He is a very good fit for that style and may very well have taken charge of the left guard position. Cliff Mitchell (6'5 305 RJR) and Jake Campbell (6'6 320 RJR) split time last fall at right guard. Mitchell was working as the number one right guard this spring but sprang a knee on the first play of the Spring Game. Campbell was not available all spring rehabbing an injury. Both will need to be healthy this fall as a need for experience linemen to protect Aplin and to open holes for the run game is a priority. Both linemen can move a little and both have the skills to be physical but both need to embrace the nastiness offensive linemen need in a power run game. Alan Wright (6'4 295 RSO) also has a chance to jump into that 2 deep. Wright saw a lot of action this spring with Campbell out and has improved his technique. He still has a ways to go but should compete throughout fall camp. If Travis Bodenstein (6'5 315 RFR) receives his waiver to be eligible this fall after transferring from Kansas then he will for sure jump into the mix. He is the big physical lineman that Grimes likes and could even push Huanga at left guard or get into the battle at right guard. Michael Flint (6'3 300 FR), John Roach (6'2 290 RSO), and Colton Jackson (6'5 260 FR) all will have a chance to compete when fall rolls around. Flint is a top recruit that may be the guy that could jump in the mix the quickest. Similar to Giddens at center, I am sure Grimes would prefer to redshirt Flint and Jackson.
At the Tackle positions, Grimes is basically looking for a
Left Tackle. Left Tackle should come down to a competition between Aaron Williams (6'6 325 RJR), Deshaun Byrd
(6'6 315 JR), and former tight end Kedric Murry (6’3 265 RSR). Williams will have had the advantage
of working in the Malzahn offense all spring and has been going through
condition during that time as well. Williams has good feet but his
technique needs a lot of work. He was beaten several times during the
Spring Game and must improve before he can be trusted to protect Aplin. Byrd is a beast in the run game and is also
athletic. Byrd's issue is going to be will he be able to get into the
shape to go the tempo that Malzahn wants. Byrd will need to get into the
shaped needed to do the job and may not arrive on campus in time to get where
the staff needs him to be. Because these
two have issues, Grimes has stolen Murry from the tight end position. Murry may be a little light but he is very
athletic for a guy his size. He was
basically an attached (stayed next to the tackle) tight end where his main role
was blocking. That makes the transition
to left tackle an easier process. Murry
needs to put on weight and improve technique but is athletic enough that he can
overcome some technique issues. Zack McKnight (6'4 300 RSR) started
all last year at right tackle. He is still just learning the position
having played defensive tackle in JC, so his best year may be this fall as he
has gained valuable experience this past year. Chris Tolbert (6'5 290 RJR) saw action last fall and could be in
the mix for a spot as a backup tackle. Tolbert has been a journeyman backup
and has the chance to push this fall for a top backup role. There will be some other guys also working at
the tackle positions and they will find a spot either at left or right tackle
trying to get into the 2 deep. Those guys include Steven Stevens (6'4 280 RFR), Jamar Clark (6'6 305 FR), Devin
Mondie (6'5 300 FR) and Julian
Green (6'6 285 RSR). Stevens may
still need some seasoning before he gets into the mix for playing time. Clark and Mondie are both linemen that should
make Grimes see a solid future in the linemen.
Both were being recruited by AQ schools and may arrive this fall and
command a shot at early playing time. Grimes
would probably prefer to redshirt Clark and Mondie if he can and the upper
classmen will determine if he can.
Walk-on Julian Green is a former defensive end that has moved to
tackle. Kevin Galindo could also see
time at the tackle position this fall trying to compete for a spot.
Probably the biggest plus on the offensive line is JB
Grimes. He is a very experienced offensive
line coach and should be able to get the most out of this group. There are a large number of candidates for
the jobs at hand. This is a far cry from
a few years ago when there were barely enough scholarship linemen to find 5
starters. Grimes has a lot of guys to
work with but will need to get them in the weight room and get them stronger
while impressing on them the need to be more physical. To play physical you have to have strength, power
and a little bit of a mean streak.
Strength coach Ryan Russell will be the most important guy this summer
getting these linemen to the level of fitness and strength that Grimes needs. And Coach Grimes will need to continue to
instill that mental attitude to be physical.
All of that has to happen if this offensive line can be what is needed
to get back to a championship level.
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