Storyline Countdown No. 9: How Much Better Will the Offensive Line Be in 2018?

PFB’s countdown to football season by counting down the 15 most intriguing storylines continues today with a look at the No. 9 storyline we’re tracking going into 2018.

Storyline rank: No. 9
Storyline: How much better will the offensive line be in 2018?

Why this matters: OSU alumnus Josh Henson took over as offensive line coach for the Cowboys last season. Under Henson, the Cowboys cut down its 32 sacks allowed in 2016 to 24 in 2017. With that said, the group lost its leaders in Brad Lundblade and Zach Crabtree.

How it could play out: Injuries have been an issue with the OSU offensive line for a number of years. This season, though, the Cowboys boast 24 offensive linemen on their roster, so depth-wise the Cowboys are in a good spot.

The projected starters are Teven Jenkins, Larry Williams, Johnny Wilson, Marcus Keyes and Arlington Hambright. Hambright is the only of the group who didn’t play last season, as he redshirted after transferring from Garden City Community College. The remaining four all started at some point in the year, but rarely together, as the Cowboys had to puzzle-piece guys in because of injuries. The Cowboys have experienced reserves this year in guys like Shane Richards, Deionte Noel and Larry Joubert.

Mike Gundy’s thoughts: Gundy seemed pretty high on the job his second-year offensive line coach is doing at OSU’s media day with the depth Henson has been able to build.

“Our goal is to have three guards, three tackles and two centers, and anything over that has always been a bonus,” Gundy said. “I feel pretty good about the number of guys that we have. Our numbers are up in offensive linemen. I think we have something like 24 total in camp. For a while there, we were around 15 or 16 and it was kind of scary. So, I’m really encouraged about where we’re at with our offensive line.

“I think we’re recruiting better than we ever have, in my opinion. Josh is doing a fantastic job. He’s in a place that he loves. He and his wife both graduated from here. It’s easier to work in an environment when you actually care about the product that’s coming out of the environment because of the people around you. I think you’re seeing that with Josh. … We have some quality bodies to work with. By the time that Rob Glass works on them for 24 months, he’s going to trim them down a little bit and get them stronger and work on foot speed. That process is enjoyable to watch instead of reaching for guys and hoping they can make it through a season, which we did for about four years.”

My thoughts: Overall, I think this group is in a better spot than it was a year ago. Henson has proven to be a great recruiter, and it’s showing with the depth he has been able to build in such a short time.

The center position will be my key focus this year. Wilson played in all 13 games a year ago, but if he gets injured, there is a hole that Keyes might have to fill. Keyes has never played center in anything but practice.

I also think Lundblade’s departure is a big deal. Everyone I talked with last season about Lundblade raved about how smart he was, so it will be interesting to see how Wilson fills that void.

Previous Countdowns

No. 15: How will OSU use all its running backs in 2018?
No. 14: Will Rodarius Williams and A.J. Green have to play as much as they did in 2017?
No. 13: Is Tyron Johnson the X-Factor for OSU?
No. 12: Which Cowboy Back Will Emerge for OSU?
No. 11: How does a reloading year shape expectations?
No. 10: Why is Mike Yurcich Not More Beloved in Stillwater?