Fresno State Athletics
Position Spotlight: Offensive Line
8/3/2021 10:39:00 PM | Football
OFFENSIVE LINEÂ
The offensive line that protected the top offense in the Mountain West (479.3 ypg) brings back eight letterwinners including three starters from 2020 in Dante Adkins Jr., Matt Smith and Dontae Bull. Nick Abbs, Elijah Carson, Tyrone Sampson Jr., Bula Schmidt and Mose Vavao were also part of the eight-man rotation last fall, who a year ago helped protect the No. 5 passing offense and No. 17 total offense in the NCAA.
Although the Bulldogs have experience on the line with three sixth-year seniors (Smith, Abbs, Alex Akingbulu), they bolstered the line with three true freshmen in Rolan Fullwood, Pedro Timoteo and Braylen Nelson, who have quickly become players to watch in the two-deep competition. Fifth-year senior Jalen Guerrero joined the squad after spending the past four seasons at New Mexico State, where he started in 11 games for the Aggies in 2019 and missed 2020 as NMSU did not play last fall. Also in the fold are redshirt freshmen Toreon Penright, Julian Polendo, Matt Lowe and Joseph Church.Â
True sophomore Mose Vavao has been making a statement through the first week of fall camp. Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb expressed that four starting positions are up for grabs, but it seems Vavao is the clear front-runner at left guard.Â
As the competition to make the two-deep progresses through camp, offensive line coach Roman Sapolu is excited about his group.Â
"I think the O-line went to work this offseason. I think the biggest thing we've had is technique and attitude," Sapolu said. "I think they got closer as a unit and there are some good guys in the unit. The competition is breeding success. We've had nine guys start FBS games. It won't be easy to make the bus at all. Everyone knows you can't have a bad day out here or someone will take that spot."
O-LINE BREAKDOWNÂ
Returning Starters: Dante Adkins Jr., Dontae Bull, Matt SmithÂ
Returning Letterwinners: Nick Abbs, Elijah Carson, Tyrone Sampson Jr., Bula Schmidt, Mose Vavao
Other Squadmen Returning: Alex Akingbulu, Osmar Velez
Redshirts Returning: Joseph Church, Matt Lowe, Toreon Penright, Julian Polendo
Newcomers:Â Rolan Fullwood, Jalen Guerrero, Braylen Nelson, Pedro Timoteo
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