I was in the middle of writing my offensive line spring review three days ago when I got the text about Jaylen Miller choosing Tulane, so I scrapped it (with help from my 9-year old son, who closed out the file while he used my computer to complete his online school work Tuesday morning) and started over.
Here is attempt No. 2 (and Miller still has not returned my texts).
Even though Tulane finished third in school history for points and yards under new offensive coordinator Will Hall, the Green Wave did it in spite of its offensive line rather than because of it. That statement might be a tad harsh, but new offensive line coach Cody Kennedy recognized quickly he would need to upgrade the talent level up front. The line was dealt a significant blow when Tyler Johnson, whom two insiders told me last August was the best blocker on the team despite his diminutive size (for a lineman), suffered a knee injury in practice after the opener and incurred the wrath of the coaches soon afterward (I never found out exactly what the issue was). After playing a reserve role against Auburn, he never played again, prompting Joey Claybrook to move from right tackle to left tackle and marginal redshirt senior Keyshawn McLeod to move from guard to right tackle.
The Wave had to disguise its blocking weaknesses to succeed in 2019, overcoming 27 penalties* on the linemen along the way (that's my unofficial count) although the two worst offenders are gone (McLeod drew six holding calls; Montano had four holding calls and a false start). Tulane signed five highly rated offensive linemen in the 2020 class in a huge push. Some of those guys will compete for playing time in the fall, but offensive line is one of the toughest spots for true freshmen to contribute right away, making the addition of Miller vital.
In the abbreviated spring practice, the starting line was Claybrook at LT, Corey Dublin at LG, Sincere Haynesworth at C, Ben Knutson at RG and Cameron Jackel at RT. The second-team line was Nik Hogan at LT, Michael Remondet at LG, Stephen Lewerenz at C, Trace Oldner at RG and walk-on Timothy Shafter at RT. There was nothing wrong with the left side, but both guys on the right side are unproven as legitimate AAC starters.
Here's my assessment of each position, from left to right (penalties from 2019 in parentheses)
1) Claybrook (two holds, one facemask, one false start)
He drew rave reviews when he entered the starting lineup at right tackle for four games late in 2018, coinciding with Tulane's surge down the stretch. He was solid for the most part after switching to the left side early last year to replace Johnson and definitely will start somewhere this fall, either at left tackle or right tackle.
2) Dublin (four holding calls, one personal foul).
Entering his fourth year as a starter and third at guard after a one-year experiment at center as a sophomore, look for Dublin to earn All-Conference consideration. His body is not exactly chiseled, but he performs on the field when he avoids penalties and is an above-average run blocker.
3) Haynesworth (one holding call)
Haynesworth is not a dominant player, but he was effective at right guard as a true freshman because he is very smart and a good technician. Penalized less than any of his more experienced teammates, he appears headed on the Dublin path of a four-year starter. His snaps in 2019 preseason practices as the backup center were shaky, but he cleared up that problem in the five practices this spring.
4) Knutson (no holds, three false starts)
This spot is now the biggest concern. Knutson, who looks the part, started six games last season but lost his spot to Haynesworth because he was too slow, allowing speed guys to get past him. Don't be surprised if freshmen Rashad Green or Josh Remetich push him in the fall just like Haynesworth did last year. Although Knutson did not get called for holding, his three false starts indicated a lack of focus at times.
5) Miller/Jackel
I addressed these two in the thread about Miller's decision. Willie Fritz was high on Jackel's potential last spring although he did not believe he was ready at the time, so he should be ready to make the leap as a redshirt junior. That said, I believe Miller is the better option. Although he did not start a game for Duke last year, the Blue Devils had an underrated line and the redshirt freshman who beat him out performed quite well. Miller started three games in a row in 2018 before breaking an ankle, giving him three times as many career starts as Jackel, who has looked shaky at times in practice over the past two years. Tulane does not bring in grad transfers to be backups at a position where the starter rarely leaves the field, so you would have to expect Miller to be the frontrunner. Jackel will have to outplay him in practice to earn the job.
6) Reserves
Since starting offensive linemen play every down until games gets out of hand, depth is a factor only when someone gets hurt or when someone underperforms. It will be interesting to see what Remetich and Green do in practice along with tackle Trey Tuggle, three of the highest rated players in a solid freshman class. The other two incoming linemen, Matthew Lombardi and Joseph Solomon, will get a shot, too as Tulane seeks new blood up front. Of the holdover backups, it is too early to judge whether any are ready, and the cancellation of the last 10 spring practices did not help them.
Will Tulane's line be better this year? I think so because Haynesworth, if he snaps reliably, should be an upgrade on Montano, who worked hard but was merely adequate at center and struggled at times with the increased talent level of the AAC compared to the Ivy League. Miller figures to be an upgrade on McLeod, who lost his composure too many times. Plus, the three returning starters all have another year of experience. Then again, a line often is only as good as its weakest link, and right guard is a question mark. It would be a huge boon if one of the touted freshman is mature enough mentally and physically to make an impact.
*Rounding out the penalties, my game-by-game review revealed one incorrect attribution to Johnson against UConn (he did not play), one false start on Shafter against Missouri State and one false start against Auburn that was given to a number (no name) that did not exist on the roster.
The breakdown was 19 holds, one facemask, one personal foul and six false starts. Some of them were the result of just plain getting beaten, but the others have to be corrected. That's far too many.
Here is attempt No. 2 (and Miller still has not returned my texts).
Even though Tulane finished third in school history for points and yards under new offensive coordinator Will Hall, the Green Wave did it in spite of its offensive line rather than because of it. That statement might be a tad harsh, but new offensive line coach Cody Kennedy recognized quickly he would need to upgrade the talent level up front. The line was dealt a significant blow when Tyler Johnson, whom two insiders told me last August was the best blocker on the team despite his diminutive size (for a lineman), suffered a knee injury in practice after the opener and incurred the wrath of the coaches soon afterward (I never found out exactly what the issue was). After playing a reserve role against Auburn, he never played again, prompting Joey Claybrook to move from right tackle to left tackle and marginal redshirt senior Keyshawn McLeod to move from guard to right tackle.
The Wave had to disguise its blocking weaknesses to succeed in 2019, overcoming 27 penalties* on the linemen along the way (that's my unofficial count) although the two worst offenders are gone (McLeod drew six holding calls; Montano had four holding calls and a false start). Tulane signed five highly rated offensive linemen in the 2020 class in a huge push. Some of those guys will compete for playing time in the fall, but offensive line is one of the toughest spots for true freshmen to contribute right away, making the addition of Miller vital.
In the abbreviated spring practice, the starting line was Claybrook at LT, Corey Dublin at LG, Sincere Haynesworth at C, Ben Knutson at RG and Cameron Jackel at RT. The second-team line was Nik Hogan at LT, Michael Remondet at LG, Stephen Lewerenz at C, Trace Oldner at RG and walk-on Timothy Shafter at RT. There was nothing wrong with the left side, but both guys on the right side are unproven as legitimate AAC starters.
Here's my assessment of each position, from left to right (penalties from 2019 in parentheses)
1) Claybrook (two holds, one facemask, one false start)
He drew rave reviews when he entered the starting lineup at right tackle for four games late in 2018, coinciding with Tulane's surge down the stretch. He was solid for the most part after switching to the left side early last year to replace Johnson and definitely will start somewhere this fall, either at left tackle or right tackle.
2) Dublin (four holding calls, one personal foul).
Entering his fourth year as a starter and third at guard after a one-year experiment at center as a sophomore, look for Dublin to earn All-Conference consideration. His body is not exactly chiseled, but he performs on the field when he avoids penalties and is an above-average run blocker.
3) Haynesworth (one holding call)
Haynesworth is not a dominant player, but he was effective at right guard as a true freshman because he is very smart and a good technician. Penalized less than any of his more experienced teammates, he appears headed on the Dublin path of a four-year starter. His snaps in 2019 preseason practices as the backup center were shaky, but he cleared up that problem in the five practices this spring.
4) Knutson (no holds, three false starts)
This spot is now the biggest concern. Knutson, who looks the part, started six games last season but lost his spot to Haynesworth because he was too slow, allowing speed guys to get past him. Don't be surprised if freshmen Rashad Green or Josh Remetich push him in the fall just like Haynesworth did last year. Although Knutson did not get called for holding, his three false starts indicated a lack of focus at times.
5) Miller/Jackel
I addressed these two in the thread about Miller's decision. Willie Fritz was high on Jackel's potential last spring although he did not believe he was ready at the time, so he should be ready to make the leap as a redshirt junior. That said, I believe Miller is the better option. Although he did not start a game for Duke last year, the Blue Devils had an underrated line and the redshirt freshman who beat him out performed quite well. Miller started three games in a row in 2018 before breaking an ankle, giving him three times as many career starts as Jackel, who has looked shaky at times in practice over the past two years. Tulane does not bring in grad transfers to be backups at a position where the starter rarely leaves the field, so you would have to expect Miller to be the frontrunner. Jackel will have to outplay him in practice to earn the job.
6) Reserves
Since starting offensive linemen play every down until games gets out of hand, depth is a factor only when someone gets hurt or when someone underperforms. It will be interesting to see what Remetich and Green do in practice along with tackle Trey Tuggle, three of the highest rated players in a solid freshman class. The other two incoming linemen, Matthew Lombardi and Joseph Solomon, will get a shot, too as Tulane seeks new blood up front. Of the holdover backups, it is too early to judge whether any are ready, and the cancellation of the last 10 spring practices did not help them.
Will Tulane's line be better this year? I think so because Haynesworth, if he snaps reliably, should be an upgrade on Montano, who worked hard but was merely adequate at center and struggled at times with the increased talent level of the AAC compared to the Ivy League. Miller figures to be an upgrade on McLeod, who lost his composure too many times. Plus, the three returning starters all have another year of experience. Then again, a line often is only as good as its weakest link, and right guard is a question mark. It would be a huge boon if one of the touted freshman is mature enough mentally and physically to make an impact.
*Rounding out the penalties, my game-by-game review revealed one incorrect attribution to Johnson against UConn (he did not play), one false start on Shafter against Missouri State and one false start against Auburn that was given to a number (no name) that did not exist on the roster.
The breakdown was 19 holds, one facemask, one personal foul and six false starts. Some of them were the result of just plain getting beaten, but the others have to be corrected. That's far too many.