I went back over the spring scrimmage tape a few times to look at OL play and I wanted to give my impressions:
OT- Javon Foster- He is clearly their best lineman. His pass sets are good, though he occasionally has some breakdowns. McGuire gave him trouble in the scrimmage, but that’s more about Maguire. Foster is solid in every phase of the run game, but he really stands out on the outside zone play setting the edge. He put on 20 pounds of muscle from last year.
Zeke Powell - he started through most of 2020 season at LT, which helps ease the loss of White. They moved him over to the right side and he’s a little on the light side, but gets after people in the run game and is good pulling on GT counters. His pass pro is solid although he sets a little high and deep.
Richard Taylor- I liked what I saw out of him in the scrimmage last year and wasn’t surprised he earned a scholarship. I thought he held up surprisingly well at LT and has he good length at 6-5 307 and solid technique. His best asset is versatility, He was working at G last spring and was predominately a center in HS.
Armand Membou- Did a solid job at RT. He’s naturally strong and his pass sets were fine. Looked hesitant on pulls on GT counter plays. He’s undersized at 6-3 for T, and probably ends up inside when the other two freshman Ts get in.
It wouldn’t surprise me if they decide to flip Foster to the Right side where he’s played before, and Powell back to his more natural left side, especially if it becomes unlikely that White returns.
Guard- Connor Wood- I would rate him their second best lineman. He’s not pretty, but he gets the job done. He’s tenacious and physical in the run game and holds his own in pass pro.
Luke Griffin- he’s always been a good technique guy with athletic limitations. I thought he moved well in the scrimmage.
Xavier Del Gado. He is what he is. Very physical in run game and can pull, but struggles sometimes in pass pro.
Ndoma-Ogar- Very similar to Del Gado. He’s tremendously strong kid. I thought his pass sets looked better.
Center— Bence Polgar- He’s not on Maetti’s level yet, but. overall, he looked solid. He added 20 needed pounds but still moves well and gets to the second level and out on screens. He reached ok on outside zone. Looking at his tape at Buffalo, his pass pro appears to be a strength, but there wasn’t much to look at in the scrimmage because the D stayed in an even front and there was no blitzing. I would say Polgar is slightly ahead of Tollison.
Connor Tollison- Moving inside seems ideal for him. He’s a good athlete and moves well, but he’s got some work to do. He whiffed on a cut off block on Robinson and there were times where his pads were over his toes.
Drake Heisemeyer- There’s not been a whole lot said about him, but he’s got solid technique and he’s up over 300 pounds .
Overall, I would say they have one upper echelon guy in Foster (possibly two IF White would get healthy) and several solid, functional people. Their greatest strength is amount of experienced depth they have. Keep in mind, they also have Dylan Spencer and Bobby Lawrence, who sat out the scrimmage. Both of them have starting experience.
OT- Javon Foster- He is clearly their best lineman. His pass sets are good, though he occasionally has some breakdowns. McGuire gave him trouble in the scrimmage, but that’s more about Maguire. Foster is solid in every phase of the run game, but he really stands out on the outside zone play setting the edge. He put on 20 pounds of muscle from last year.
Zeke Powell - he started through most of 2020 season at LT, which helps ease the loss of White. They moved him over to the right side and he’s a little on the light side, but gets after people in the run game and is good pulling on GT counters. His pass pro is solid although he sets a little high and deep.
Richard Taylor- I liked what I saw out of him in the scrimmage last year and wasn’t surprised he earned a scholarship. I thought he held up surprisingly well at LT and has he good length at 6-5 307 and solid technique. His best asset is versatility, He was working at G last spring and was predominately a center in HS.
Armand Membou- Did a solid job at RT. He’s naturally strong and his pass sets were fine. Looked hesitant on pulls on GT counter plays. He’s undersized at 6-3 for T, and probably ends up inside when the other two freshman Ts get in.
It wouldn’t surprise me if they decide to flip Foster to the Right side where he’s played before, and Powell back to his more natural left side, especially if it becomes unlikely that White returns.
Guard- Connor Wood- I would rate him their second best lineman. He’s not pretty, but he gets the job done. He’s tenacious and physical in the run game and holds his own in pass pro.
Luke Griffin- he’s always been a good technique guy with athletic limitations. I thought he moved well in the scrimmage.
Xavier Del Gado. He is what he is. Very physical in run game and can pull, but struggles sometimes in pass pro.
Ndoma-Ogar- Very similar to Del Gado. He’s tremendously strong kid. I thought his pass sets looked better.
Center— Bence Polgar- He’s not on Maetti’s level yet, but. overall, he looked solid. He added 20 needed pounds but still moves well and gets to the second level and out on screens. He reached ok on outside zone. Looking at his tape at Buffalo, his pass pro appears to be a strength, but there wasn’t much to look at in the scrimmage because the D stayed in an even front and there was no blitzing. I would say Polgar is slightly ahead of Tollison.
Connor Tollison- Moving inside seems ideal for him. He’s a good athlete and moves well, but he’s got some work to do. He whiffed on a cut off block on Robinson and there were times where his pads were over his toes.
Drake Heisemeyer- There’s not been a whole lot said about him, but he’s got solid technique and he’s up over 300 pounds .
Overall, I would say they have one upper echelon guy in Foster (possibly two IF White would get healthy) and several solid, functional people. Their greatest strength is amount of experienced depth they have. Keep in mind, they also have Dylan Spencer and Bobby Lawrence, who sat out the scrimmage. Both of them have starting experience.
