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Year in Review: Offensive Line

Louisiana Tech (7-6) finished its 2017 campaign with three consecutive victories including their fourth straight bowl victory. The DXL Frisco Bowl win over SMU has Bulldog fans excited for 2018. Over the next few weeks we will take a look back at 2017 and a look ahead to what 2018 may hold for the ‘Dogs. Next up, offensive line.

2017 Offensive Line:

Entering 2017 Louisiana Tech had an unproven quarterback, which meant the offensive line would play a vital role in the Bulldogs having a successful offensive unit. Through two-thirds of the season, the offensive line suffered numerous injuries which brought about a great deal of inconsistency.

Josh Outlaw, O’Shea Dugas, and Gewhite Stallworth all missed time up front with injuries. Mix that in with Ethan Reed moving back to guard after a stint at center to make way for Kody Russey and the Bulldogs were in search for a new starting five seemingly every week.

When finally healthy in game ten, the starting five of Outlaw, Dugas, Russey, Reed, and 2017 breakout performer Michael Rodriguez, the unit was stout in both the run and pass game. Shane Carpenter and Gewhite Stallworth also provided great depth behind the front five and saw playing time on a weekly basis.

With all the shifting around up front, the offensive line paved the way for Louisiana Tech’s fourth consecutive 1,000 yard rusher in Boston Scott. Scott ran for 1,047 yards on the year.

2018 Outlook:

Looking ahead to next year, Outlaw is the only senior that will be lost due to graduation. Who replaces him at the all-important left tackle position? The easy answer is that Rodriguez will shift to the left side with Stallworth filling in at right tackle. Will Tech add a junior college tackle in the late signing period? One visits this weekend.

On paper, the unit will be full of veterans with Dugas, Rodriguez, Stallworth, Carpenter, Reed, and Russey all having a great deal of experience.

From a depth perspective, 2017 junior college signees Drew Kirkpatrick and Hanner Shipley will both be looking to break into the depth chart and contribute in 2018.

Elsewhere on the offensive line, younger guys like DeVante Lovett, Conner Estes, Kennedy Madison, Drew Melancon, Joshua Mote, along with 2018 signees Christian Henderson and Biron Rossell give Coach Holtz and his staff plenty of players to develop for the future.

Consensus:

It’s clear at this point that Tech needs seven or eight quality offensive lineman in order to be successful. Being healthy will go a long way in the offense taking step forward in 2018. With Jarred Craft and Boston Scott now gone due to graduation, Tech will be somewhat unproven at the running back spot making it all the more important to be solid up front.

With all the change up front throughout the year up front, Tech offensive line coach Robert McFarland deserves some credit for keeping the group together while protecting the quarterback better and better as the season went on while rushing for over 170 yards per game.

Only time will tell, but Louisiana Tech has an opportunity to have one of their better offensive lines in recent memory in 2018.

Stay tuned to BleedTechBlue.com as we continue our Year in Review series, take a look at Dunkin’ Dog basketball, and dive into the final recruiting targets with the late signing period on February 7th.

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