The 2011 USF Primer: Offensive Line

Danous Estenor can lift cars so defensive lines stand no chance against him this season. (Picture: www.usfnation.com)

The 2011 USF Primer rolls on as we turn to the other side of the ball and take a look at the offense. The Bulls are slow to score points and struggled under first year coordinator Todd Fitch and inconsistent play of B.J. Daniels. This season however, they look to put more points on the board and have the weapons needed to do. We first will take a look at the overall offensive unit, names to know, then dig into the offensive line. [keep reading]

What You Need to Know - After 3 years and 3 new offensive coordinators and systems, the Bulls offense benefits this season with the return of offensive coordinator Todd Fitch. Fitch, taking over last season, changed the dynamics of the offense to help bring a better balanced approach. The Bulls went with more tight end sets, relying on a north-south running game, and taking away the spread formations and shotgun snaps that quarterback B.J. Daniels had been accustomed to just a season before (limiting his ability to run). However, the Bulls suffered some growing pains in the first season, struggling to score on a consistent basis, trouble at times with the play calling, and simply adjusting to the new offense and offensive language. With multiple injuries early in the year as well (Love and Griffin), the team struggled, but hit its stride late in the year. Entering the 2011 season, the Bulls are healthy and much more comfortable this year under Todd Fitch. Quarterback B.J. Daniels, coming off of a solid bowl game and strong Spring, is the leader of the offense. With junior running back Demetris Murray behind him and senior wide receiver A.J. Love back from an ACL injury last year, the Bulls are among the favorites early to win the Big East.

Star of Offense: Junior quarterback B.J. Daniels

Player That has to Step Up and Become a Star: Wide receiver Terrence Mitchell

Unsung Star on the Rise: Running back Darrell Scott

Best Pro Prospect: Left guard Jeremiah Warren

Top Three All-Star Candidates: 1) Daniels, 2) Murray, and 3) Love

Strength of the Offense: Dual-threat quarterback, play-making wide receivers, consistent running game

Weakness of the Offense: Returning players from injuries, youth on offensive line, inconsistent play of the quarterback

Returning Leaders

• Passing: B.J. Daniels 143-245, 1685 yards, 11 touchdowns, 13 interceptions
• Rushing: Demetris Murray 120 carries, 573 yards, 4 touchdowns
• Receiving: Evan Landi 28 receptions, 390 yards, 2 touchdowns

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: The offensive line was the strength and heart of the offense last season for the Bulls led by All Big East Center Sampson Genus. This season, the offensive line is one of the biggest question marks as the Bulls have to replace three starters, including Genus.

At center, 6-0 315-pound senior Kevin McCaskill, takes over for Genus. McCaskill played in one game last season for Genus who was injured. He is a physical player that is strong at the point of attack and uses his hands well. McCaskill is the only player that has experience at the center position, so there will be a lot of pressure on him to get the calls right and snap the ball effectively this season.

Lining up at left guard is 6-4 327-pound senior Jeremiah Warren. Warren started in every game last season (13 starts) and has started in 26 games (33 games played). He is one of the few veteran leaders on the offense line that will play a key role in protection and opening up the running game.

On the opposite side at right guard is 6-4 295-pound senior Chaz Hine. Like Warren, Hine started all 13 games last season and gives the Bulls solid, veteran leadership on the offensive line. He is a very physical player and works hard to create holes in the running game. The former walk-on was named to the College of Business's 25 under 25 group for his outstanding academics and community service, showing his ability both on and off the field.

At right tackle, 6-6 299-pound freshman Quinterrius Eatmon has won the starting job over junior Damien Edwards (6-5 321-pounds). Eatmon lost over 50 pounds and worked on his footwork and overall technique, making an impression on the coaches early and Spring and beating out the veteran Edwards who played in 3 games last season. Both Eatmon and Edwards will see playing time, but at the end of the Spring, the job is Eatmon's to lose.

Lining up at left tackle is Mark Popek, the 6-7 283-pound junior. The former All Big East freshman has missed time due to injury and losing playing time to veteran players, but the job is now his. 6-3 295-pound senior Darren Powe, who has played some time at guard, will push Popek for playing time this season.

Projected Top Reserves: The Bulls have a mixture of youth and experience in the reserves. 6-4 324-pound sophomore guard John McGhin will push Jeremiah Warren for playing time. He played sparingly last season as he battled with a hip injury. 6-4 273-pound freshman Austin Reiter is listed as the 2nd team center and will play a key role for the Bulls backing up McCaskill. The Bulls don't have another experienced center behind McCaskill and will put pressure on him. Junior guard Danous Estenor, 6-3 296-pounds, is the second team behind Chaz Hine and will get playing time this season as well (he can move cars, come on, start him already).

6-9 354-pound freshman Jake Kaufman is another big player that could get into the mix for playing time, but missed the Spring due to lingering back issues. 6-4 320 freshman Tony Kibler will also push for playing time as well due to his size and athletic ability. 6-2 276-pound freshman Brandon Gengler (Lakeland, Florida), 6-2 300-pound offensive guard Steven Jacques (Hollywood, Florida), and 6-3 236-pound freshman Nathan Marvel (Tampa, Florida), will all compete as well for position on the depth chart.

The Bulls also have several recruits enrolling this fall. Brynjar Gundmundsson (6-3, 250-pounds), Thor Jozwiak (6-4, 270-pounds), Max Lang (6-4, 276-pounds), David Simon (6-5, 284-pounds), and Darrell Williams (6-5, 245-pounds), will add depth to the offensive line and the overall talent level as well. They also have 6-6 250-pound walk-on freshman Mak Djulbegovic will join the team as well.

Watch Out For: Leadership. With the loss of Sampson Genus to graduation, the Bulls lose their vocal leader on the line. Experienced players like Chaz Hine and company will have to step up their role on an offensive line that has new starts and younger players behind them.

Strength: Talent. The 2011 USF offensive line is full of talented players. Every player has size, range, and athleticism that will allow them to not only protect Daniels in the pocket, but also open up running lanes for the stable of running backs the Bulls have. In the second year under Fitch, the Bulls should be better in determining blocking schemes and the play calling.

Weakness: Experience. Chaz Hine and Jeremiah Warren are the only returning starters from last season that played in every game. McCaskill played sparingly and is now thrown into the starting role at center. Quinterrius Eatmon is a freshman and Mark Popek hardly played season, but now they are the starters and the expectations are high for this group to continue to grow to help the offense become more consistent and sustain drives.

Rating: 7.5