By Eric Groves
If one based his assessment of the U of L offensive line exclusively on their performance during spring practices, chances are he walked away with some serious doubts. After losing four starters (three due to graduation and another due to legal circumstances) and after taking their lumps against a formidable defensive line in spring ball, the young group of linemen has regrouped this summer and made tremendous strides that has pleased the coaching staff.
The lone returning starter is center Dan Koons, a 6’4, 300 pound junior. After winning the job halfway through last season, Koons- after experiencing some early exchange problems with quarterback Dave Ragone- developed into a reliable run and pass blocker. Koons will be backed up by sophomore Will Rabatin.
The player with perhaps the most responsibility on the young offensive line is strong tackle Jerry Spencer. Spencer, a junior-college transfer from Eagle Springs, NC, will be responsible for protecting Ragone’s blind side- a task paramount to the success of the Cards’ high octane passing attack. At the other tackle is Boyle County product Travis Leffew. The 6’4, 295 pound redshirt freshman, who was a defensive lineman on the scout team last fall, continues to improve thanks to battling all-conference performer Dewayne White daily in practice. Junior Jason Hilliard and a pair of talented redshirt freshmen, Jason Spitz and Bubba Marshall, figure to serve as the backups to Spencer and Leffew.Antoine Sims, a senior from Lexington, is penciled in a one guard position, while the other appears to be 6’7 junior Jason Weathers. Juco-transfer Edrick Contreras and redshirt freshman Fred Nolan will also challenge for playing time.
With so much inexperience, it’s possible to expect a few early breakdowns and blown assignments. Still, Coach Smith expects this group to perform at an extremely high level sooner rather than later. “We’re younger than we’ve been up there,” he said, “but we’re also a lot deeper. The more experience and confidence this group gets, the more impressed you’re going to be with them.”
