Fresno State Athletics
2022 Position Spotlight: Offensive Line
8/20/2022 1:14:00 PM | Football
OFFENSIVE LINE OUTLOOK
Fresno State's offensive line returns three starters and the Bulldogs have revamped the trenches with seven newcomers.Â
The line is led by first-year coach Saga Tuitele, who previously coached in that role at Army (2020-21). The Black Knights last season led the nation with 46 rushing TDs and were second with 281.1 yards per game. Tuitele also serves as the run game coordinator for the 'Dogs.Â
Who's back: The offensive line blocked for the top offense in the Mountain West and the No. 14 offense in the FBS last season. Fresno State averaged 464.9 yards per game while scoring an average of 33.4 points per game. The Bulldogs averaged 137.2 rushing yards per game and 326.7 passing yards per game.
Three starters return in Preseason All-Mountain West selection Dontae Bull, Mose Vavao and Bula Schmidt.Â
Bull is the first Fresno State offensive lineman to make the Preseason All-MW list since tackle Alex Fifita in 2015. The sixth-year senior has played in 36 games in his career while making 26 starts, and has played the majority of his snaps on the line at left tackle.Â
Vavao was one of the Bulldogs' most consistent offensive lineman last season, starting all 13 games as a true sophomore. He started the first six games at left guard before moving to right guard for the final seven games of the season.Â
Schmidt started all 13 games in 2021 at three different positions, although he played 10 of the 13 games at center for the 'Dogs.Â
The 'Dogs had a breakout season from true freshman Braylen Nelson, who worked his way into the starting lineup, playing in seven games with five starts. Nelson proved to be a versatile player, starting the season at tackle and moving to guard mid-season.Â
Additional Returners: Joseph Church, Rolan Fullwood, Toreon Penright, Julian Polendo, Tyrone Sampson Jr and Osmar Velez.Â
Who's new: Matai Bell, Jacob Isaia, Nate Maier, Amil Savage, Marcus Simien, Jacob Spomer, Daniel Taumalolo.
The Bulldogs' staff made it a priority to reinforce the offensive line depth by bringing in seven newcomers, and fall camp has proved that some could work their way up the depth chart.Â
With the need to protect a dominant offense that is loaded with talent, the 'Dogs brought in experience with three transfers including two junior college transfers and one Division I transfer.
Isaia comes to the Valley from Michigan State, where he was a three-year letter winner for the Spartans. He played in 24 career games, primarily on special teams.Â
Spomer and Taumalolo join the line as JUCO transfers. Taumalolo enrolled at Fresno State for the spring semester to participate in spring ball. Spomer earned all-conference honors at Diablo Valley College in 2021. Both look to make an immediate impact on the OL room.Â
Four freshmen were also added to the roster, including two highly touted recruits in Simien and Bell. Simien was the highest-rated offensive line recruit in the class. He was nationally ranked No. 86. Bell, who decommitted from Army to follow Tuitiele to Fresno, was a three-star recruit.Â
What to watch: Last season, the Bulldogs struggled to keep a consistent group on the field, with three players starting a game at left guard and three at right guard. The longest streak with the same starting lineup was four games. With so many newcomers and returners having a clean slate under a new coach, it will be interesting to see who solidifies themselves as a permanent piece in the rotation for an offense that has averaged 30 or more points per game four seasons in a row. That is the longest active streak in the Mountain West."Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
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