In the Kneaux: The Offensive Line

[NewsCopy]

Despite the loss of Second Round NFL draft pick Robert Hunt and Fourth Round selection Kevin Dotson, Louisiana's offensive line has the potential to be even stronger with an experienced group of players returning.

Among those players coming back for the Ragin' Cajuns are Shane Vallot, O'Cyrus Torrence, Max Mitchell, Ken Marks and Cole Prudhomme.

Vallot and Mitchell each started in all 14 games a season ago, while Torrence earned 13 starts before being named to the 2019 Football Writers Association of America Shaun Alexander Freshman All America Team.

Marks and Prudhomme were slated to start on the offensive line last season, but injuries forced both to miss the entire year. However, the pair bring in a wealth of experience having started in each game in which they appeared in 2018.

Redshirt junior Spencer Gardner, who played in 13 games in 2019, and Arizona State transfer Zach Robertson are two names who will look for significant playing time this season, while there is a large group of first and second year players that could see roles on the field.

Those returning on the offensive line are: Max Yarbrough, Luke Junkunc, Jax Harrington, King McGowen, Logan Newell, Nathan Thomas, AJ Gillie, Tyler Brown, David Hudson and Landon Burton.

As a unit during the team's record-setting 2019 campaign, the offensive line helped pave the way for a Louisiana ground attack which finished the year ranked third nationally in yards per carry (6.28), fourth nationally in rushing touchdowns (42), sixth nationally in rushing yards per game (257.4) and seventh nationally in total rushing yards (3,604), while ranking fifth nationally and first in the Sun Belt in sacks allowed (1.07).

The front five, under the director of Rob Sale and the late D.J. Looney, also earned Honorable Mention honors from the Joe Moore Award, which annually recognizes the top offensive line in the country.

Louisiana also brought in highly regarded freshman Cory Marshall who held offers from Tulane, Colorado State, Southern Miss and Louisiana Tech before signing with the Cajuns.

Louisiana Football is set to open the 2020 campaign on Saturday, September 12, when it makes its first-ever trip to Ames, Iowa, to take on the Iowa State Cyclones.

Should disruptions or modifications to the 2020 season occur due to the coronavirus, the Department of Athletics will quickly communicate plans to fans and season ticket holders regarding accommodations for pre-purchased tickets.

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LOUISIANA AC

[gridiron]

I'm encouraged

[zephyr]

I think the line will be solid with some good depth. I just wish we had as much depth at WR. That will be the only position I am a little worried about. Should be a fun year.