2026 Offensive Line Musings

[oldngrizzly]

Nice post and thanks for putting in the time.

 

[AZhoopsMTfootballfan]

I consider long snappers to be specialists. I can't recall with certainty the last time a long snapper was actually an "offensive line" player, but I am fairly confident it hasn't been for well over 20 years. Long snappers are usually involved in punt coverage and are often more linebacker than lineman.Even on PATs they usually use flipper and punch technique that is designed to make a stationary wall unlike conventional pass blocking technique. Finally, long snappers are protected in ways that conventional linemen are not in the rules because of the vulnerable position the are often in due to their snapping technique.

There is not a ton of game time experience, but UM had 6 seniors (really 7 with Jemtegaard, who was awarded a 6th year) who graduated. UM develops, strengthens, and bulk up their linemen for the first 2-3 years. Development mostly happens in practice and they get gametime experience when the game is under control or they are the next man up. It is a luxury and a curse.

I know a long snapper who started off playing offensive line, he wasn’t big enough to be recruited to play offensive line in college so he transitioned to long snapper which gave him a full ride to P4 and 7 years playing in the NFL.

 

[SoldierGriz]

I'm probably in the minority but I think the OL is gonna be better this year than it was last year.

Wow.

 

[Griz til I die]

Wow.

I'm serious. I think Brent Myers is the best OL coach we've had in a long time and has the potential to make a world of difference for us. The staff has just raved about guys like Freitas and especially Drummond. I think Drummond is gonna be the best player on the OL this year. There's a plethora of guys who have been in the program 2-3 years that have just been developing and waiting their turn. Plus it's a blank slate. When you have all new faces on the OL, sometimes it's easier to mesh and get guys on the same page. I do expect them to look a little clunky the first few weeks while they iron out the wrinkles, but I think by the end of September/early October they will be firing on all cylinders.