Going into this off season this group really needs to build depth , work on strength, agility and pass blocking fundamentals. This is not a group void of talent , but is lacking in real quality depth and if numbers allow should add a portal guy or two, if possible. So, let's take a look and peel back the layers to evaluate, break down and discuss the off season priorities for the O-Line. I know this unit took some heat for sacks allowed, but some of that belongs to QBs holding the ball way to long and being indecisive early on.
Let's get into this,
Darnell Wright... this young man has future NFL starter written all over him, so enjoy big 58 this year , because if he stays healthy it will be his last on the hill. Blessed with unbelievable skill set of agility, size and strength, Wright will in my opinion be first team All-SEC this coming season. The past year you saw the result of a young committing to the game and allowing his talent to be developed into stellar season.
Off season improvements... even with a great season behind him, he will still needs to work on his side step to continue to be better against the great outside pass rushers he will see next season. He still tends to reach a little instead of siding his feet and keeping a good wide base to avoid being bulled over. I think he can become a even better run blocker, if he works even more on his lateral movement to be better at seal blocks on DEs on outside zone plays and learn to turn his hips quicker to kick out DEs on inside zones.
Jerome Carvin... I really think this young man is the unsung hero of the O-Line. Carvin really had an absolute solid season playing OG and being forced to center when Mays was injured. He actually played the whole season without allowing a QB sack and against the competition he faced was remarkable. I look for him to have another solid year and be a real leader on the O-Line next season.
Off season improvements... as solid as Carvin was last season, I truly believe he needs to work even more on footwork to be even quicker at getting to the second level. He really needs to work on his upper body strength to be able to handle those big DTs on inside zone run plays and better absorb their bull rush on pass plays. He like all linemen need to continue to work on and understand hand placement to be able to get their hands inside the pads on D-Linemen to better control them and gain the leverage advantage.
Cooper Mays... Mays had a decent season when healthy and held his own most of the time against some guys much more mature than him. He did however at times get pushed around and had a few struggles calling that right protections on pressure looks. That however will be better this year, with a year of experience and better understanding of the offense.
Off season improvements... first thing first, Mays has to get a lot stronger and get better at keeping a wider base. This will do two things, first allow him to not be knocked back on his heels as much and secondly keep his feet in a better position to not allow himself to have his ankles rolled bc his stance is to narrow. He needs to take more of a leadership roll this off season and be more of a voice in the room, the center is the QB of the O-Line. Also, adding about 10 lbs. of muscle will help him even more inside and give him more bulk in the run game.
Javontez Spraggins... here is a kid that had a quality season as a first year starter that displayed great durability, toughness and a nasty streak i love to see in O-Linemen. Spraggins has an opportunity to take a real step this up coming season and be an anchor at RG and make a better impact this season.
Off season improvements... Spraggins needs to continue to get in better shape, so he doesn't hit a wall like he did late in some games this past season. He has to really work more on his pass block technique and really understand how guard blocks inside out on pass sets. He has to keep better spacing between the center, to many times he got beat by DTs because his set was to wide. He needs to continue to grow in maturity on the field and make sure to keep his emotions in check during the game, so he can remain focused and eliminate some unnecessary penalties.
Dayne Davis... kid is a great story and has shown some ability when given the chance this past season. Though, the kid has limitations athletically, he does have ideal size and enough talent to be a quality back up next year.
Off season improvements... Davis needs to seriously improve his footwork and increase his quickness, he struggles with speed rusher because he is usually not in a very good position in his pass sets. I think dropping a few pounds and increasing his upper body strength to be able engage and hold off those outside rushers. Flexibility is always something tackles need to work on to gain better bend and leverage in the run game. I believe he needs to also develop a little more toughness and gain a nasty streak.
Jeremiah Crawford... after arriving late in summer, Crawford like most JUCO kids was behind on strength , conditioning and the playbook. He does possess the ideal size and seems to have the athletic ability to be a good RT.
Off season improvements... really I think Crawford just needs to first of all get in the best shape of his life, physically and mentally. He will need to really focus on the fundamentals of pass sets and learn how to use his arm length to be able to stone d-linemen initial get off from the line of scrimmage . Really work on lateral quickness with his foot work and keeping a better balanced stance and staying squared up with the rushers, so he handle inside counter moves by DEs.
Kingston Harris... before getting injured last season, Harris was actually providing quality snaps filling in when Carvin was moved to center. As a senior he may very well push Spraggins for the starter RG and if not be a very good guy to have a rotation option.
Off season improvements... Harris really needs to work hard refining his technique this off season and continue to push himself in conditioning. As a former D-Linemen he understands leverage and hand placement, but now he needs to work on translating that from the O-line. He has to also learn how to better sustain blocks and be better at reaching the second level.
Ollie Lane... Lane actually was an adequate replacement starter last year, though he lacks some overall athletic ability, he has shown the ability to compete in the SEC. I will say what he does lack in athleticism, he makes up for with great effort.
Off season improvement.. I really think Lane would benefit from losing some weight and really reshaping his body to help him gain better mobility when pulling and getting to those quicker backers. He needs to really to work on setting his feet in pass sets, so he can set the pocket and not be pushed back into the backfield.
Jackson Lampley... Lampley provided some snaps on special teams and a few on the line at guard. He is a third year player and should be ready to increase his contributions to the team.
Off season improvements... needs to develop some toughness about himself, as mentioned he contributed on special teams ,but seem to be injured after every extra point, only to walk off ( however I'm starting to think that was a tactic to gain rest time for the defense, because Dayne Davis seem to do this several times also). He may even need to consider really working at the center position this off season, Jackson is an intelligent kid and could be a valuable back up center.
James Robinson... he has rarely seen the field since he has been on the hill and needs to finally contribute this year as a quality back up at LG. He has the size and physical attributes to be a SEC lineman.
Off season improvements... this needs to be a crucial off season for Robinson, he needs to drop about 20 to 25 pounds to be able to really ever be successful in this high tempo offense. He has the physical tools, now he needs to commit to getting in shape, studying the playbook and gain confidence in the system.
R.J. Perry... there is not a lot to eval on this young man, because he was mainly a defensive linemen in high school, but the kid absolutely looks the part physically.
Off season improvements... honestly first thing this kid should do is ask to focus on LT, with his long frame and size he could be an ideal LT. If he gets the opportunity , he will need to work on his lateral quickness, technique, and fundamentals to be ready to compete for that back up LT spot and move into it in 23 or at least compete for the spot.
William Parker... he should become a future starter on the line and probably will be at guard, but possibly could push to be a RT. His high school film shows a young man that is athletic enough to play the tackle spot and he had success there as a prep star.
Off season improvements... Parker will for sure like all young guys need to work hard in the weight room to transform his body from a high school kid to a college linemen. He needs to continue to get invested in training his mind to having great habits in nutrition, recovery and in the meeting rooms.
Chris Akporoghene... this is a young man that honestly has been hindered from only playing the game for a couple of years in high school. Its hard to take a kid that has never played much ball and throw him in at this level and expect him to develop as an offensive linemen. I'm not saying he can not, but it's going to take absolute desire and commitment on his part.
Off season improvements... he has to really make strength gains this off season and probably needs to ask to be redshirted if that is an option for him.
Let's get into this,
Darnell Wright... this young man has future NFL starter written all over him, so enjoy big 58 this year , because if he stays healthy it will be his last on the hill. Blessed with unbelievable skill set of agility, size and strength, Wright will in my opinion be first team All-SEC this coming season. The past year you saw the result of a young committing to the game and allowing his talent to be developed into stellar season.
Off season improvements... even with a great season behind him, he will still needs to work on his side step to continue to be better against the great outside pass rushers he will see next season. He still tends to reach a little instead of siding his feet and keeping a good wide base to avoid being bulled over. I think he can become a even better run blocker, if he works even more on his lateral movement to be better at seal blocks on DEs on outside zone plays and learn to turn his hips quicker to kick out DEs on inside zones.
Jerome Carvin... I really think this young man is the unsung hero of the O-Line. Carvin really had an absolute solid season playing OG and being forced to center when Mays was injured. He actually played the whole season without allowing a QB sack and against the competition he faced was remarkable. I look for him to have another solid year and be a real leader on the O-Line next season.
Off season improvements... as solid as Carvin was last season, I truly believe he needs to work even more on footwork to be even quicker at getting to the second level. He really needs to work on his upper body strength to be able to handle those big DTs on inside zone run plays and better absorb their bull rush on pass plays. He like all linemen need to continue to work on and understand hand placement to be able to get their hands inside the pads on D-Linemen to better control them and gain the leverage advantage.
Cooper Mays... Mays had a decent season when healthy and held his own most of the time against some guys much more mature than him. He did however at times get pushed around and had a few struggles calling that right protections on pressure looks. That however will be better this year, with a year of experience and better understanding of the offense.
Off season improvements... first thing first, Mays has to get a lot stronger and get better at keeping a wider base. This will do two things, first allow him to not be knocked back on his heels as much and secondly keep his feet in a better position to not allow himself to have his ankles rolled bc his stance is to narrow. He needs to take more of a leadership roll this off season and be more of a voice in the room, the center is the QB of the O-Line. Also, adding about 10 lbs. of muscle will help him even more inside and give him more bulk in the run game.
Javontez Spraggins... here is a kid that had a quality season as a first year starter that displayed great durability, toughness and a nasty streak i love to see in O-Linemen. Spraggins has an opportunity to take a real step this up coming season and be an anchor at RG and make a better impact this season.
Off season improvements... Spraggins needs to continue to get in better shape, so he doesn't hit a wall like he did late in some games this past season. He has to really work more on his pass block technique and really understand how guard blocks inside out on pass sets. He has to keep better spacing between the center, to many times he got beat by DTs because his set was to wide. He needs to continue to grow in maturity on the field and make sure to keep his emotions in check during the game, so he can remain focused and eliminate some unnecessary penalties.
Dayne Davis... kid is a great story and has shown some ability when given the chance this past season. Though, the kid has limitations athletically, he does have ideal size and enough talent to be a quality back up next year.
Off season improvements... Davis needs to seriously improve his footwork and increase his quickness, he struggles with speed rusher because he is usually not in a very good position in his pass sets. I think dropping a few pounds and increasing his upper body strength to be able engage and hold off those outside rushers. Flexibility is always something tackles need to work on to gain better bend and leverage in the run game. I believe he needs to also develop a little more toughness and gain a nasty streak.
Jeremiah Crawford... after arriving late in summer, Crawford like most JUCO kids was behind on strength , conditioning and the playbook. He does possess the ideal size and seems to have the athletic ability to be a good RT.
Off season improvements... really I think Crawford just needs to first of all get in the best shape of his life, physically and mentally. He will need to really focus on the fundamentals of pass sets and learn how to use his arm length to be able to stone d-linemen initial get off from the line of scrimmage . Really work on lateral quickness with his foot work and keeping a better balanced stance and staying squared up with the rushers, so he handle inside counter moves by DEs.
Kingston Harris... before getting injured last season, Harris was actually providing quality snaps filling in when Carvin was moved to center. As a senior he may very well push Spraggins for the starter RG and if not be a very good guy to have a rotation option.
Off season improvements... Harris really needs to work hard refining his technique this off season and continue to push himself in conditioning. As a former D-Linemen he understands leverage and hand placement, but now he needs to work on translating that from the O-line. He has to also learn how to better sustain blocks and be better at reaching the second level.
Ollie Lane... Lane actually was an adequate replacement starter last year, though he lacks some overall athletic ability, he has shown the ability to compete in the SEC. I will say what he does lack in athleticism, he makes up for with great effort.
Off season improvement.. I really think Lane would benefit from losing some weight and really reshaping his body to help him gain better mobility when pulling and getting to those quicker backers. He needs to really to work on setting his feet in pass sets, so he can set the pocket and not be pushed back into the backfield.
Jackson Lampley... Lampley provided some snaps on special teams and a few on the line at guard. He is a third year player and should be ready to increase his contributions to the team.
Off season improvements... needs to develop some toughness about himself, as mentioned he contributed on special teams ,but seem to be injured after every extra point, only to walk off ( however I'm starting to think that was a tactic to gain rest time for the defense, because Dayne Davis seem to do this several times also). He may even need to consider really working at the center position this off season, Jackson is an intelligent kid and could be a valuable back up center.
James Robinson... he has rarely seen the field since he has been on the hill and needs to finally contribute this year as a quality back up at LG. He has the size and physical attributes to be a SEC lineman.
Off season improvements... this needs to be a crucial off season for Robinson, he needs to drop about 20 to 25 pounds to be able to really ever be successful in this high tempo offense. He has the physical tools, now he needs to commit to getting in shape, studying the playbook and gain confidence in the system.
R.J. Perry... there is not a lot to eval on this young man, because he was mainly a defensive linemen in high school, but the kid absolutely looks the part physically.
Off season improvements... honestly first thing this kid should do is ask to focus on LT, with his long frame and size he could be an ideal LT. If he gets the opportunity , he will need to work on his lateral quickness, technique, and fundamentals to be ready to compete for that back up LT spot and move into it in 23 or at least compete for the spot.
William Parker... he should become a future starter on the line and probably will be at guard, but possibly could push to be a RT. His high school film shows a young man that is athletic enough to play the tackle spot and he had success there as a prep star.
Off season improvements... Parker will for sure like all young guys need to work hard in the weight room to transform his body from a high school kid to a college linemen. He needs to continue to get invested in training his mind to having great habits in nutrition, recovery and in the meeting rooms.
Chris Akporoghene... this is a young man that honestly has been hindered from only playing the game for a couple of years in high school. Its hard to take a kid that has never played much ball and throw him in at this level and expect him to develop as an offensive linemen. I'm not saying he can not, but it's going to take absolute desire and commitment on his part.
Off season improvements... he has to really make strength gains this off season and probably needs to ask to be redshirted if that is an option for him.
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