09/02/10- Tom Compton, rJr, South Dakota, 6-5, 300 Nebraska linebacker Will Compton will likely miss Saturday’s opener against Western Kentucky with a foot injury. Coach Bo Pelini says Compton was injured during practice but did not give details of the injury. Last month, Nebraska lost linebacker Sean Fisher for the year with a broken leg. Fisher and Compton were expected to compete for playing time this year. Nebraska also said sophomore offensive lineman Brandon Thompson will miss Saturday’s game because of injury, but the team did not say what Thompson’s injury is. - AP Sports
09/02/10- Darius Barnes, rSo, Southern Miss, 6-4, 305 Darius Barnes came to Southern Miss as a defensive line prospect. Because of the needs of the team, Barnes has spent the offseason converting to play on the offensive line. And it's not just any spot. Barnes will be playing left tackle, arguably the most important position on the offensive line.
09/02/10- Trevor Newsom, Sr, Southern Miss, 6-8, 295 Senior offensive lineman Trevor Newsom has been dismissed from the team by coach Larry Fedora for breaking an undisclosed team rule.
09/02/10- Byron Bell, rJr, New Mexico, 6-5, 330 LT Byron Bell had a medical hardship application from 2007 rejected by the MWC, meaning he'll be a true senior, rather than a redshirt junior as the Lobos thought he'd be entering 2010. The school is appealing the rejection.
09/02/10- Byron Bell, rJr, New Mexico, 6-5, 330 PLAYERS TO WATCH: LT Byron Bell will command most of the blocking assignments against Oregon DE Kenny Rowe. Bell is UNM's best offensive lineman. He has to neutralize Rowe without help for the Lobos' offense to move the ball. If the offense has to have a fullback or tight end help Bell, its ability to run the football will be greatly diminished.
09/02/10- Marquis Wallace, rFr, Marshall, 6-5, 295 OT Marquis Wallace, a 6-5, 295-pound freshman who had NCAA Clearinghouse trouble after practicing 10 days in the Mountaineer preseason camp, has transferred to Marshall. Wallace, out of Richmond, Va., will sit out this year.
09/01/10- Scott Mitchell, Sr, Rice, 6-4, 290 SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: As unproductive as the Owls' offense was last season, you might think the return of nine starters would be a bad sign. But with the entire line back, including preseason all-conference tackle Scott Mitchell, and several backfield weapons, the quick-paced attack should make a big improvement. Uncertainty, but depth, at quarterback could hurt.
09/01/10- Nick Mondek, Jr, Purdue, 6-5, 300 Nick Mondek, the projected starter at right tackle, was moved from the defensive line in spring practice.
09/01/10- Jon Hodde, rFr, Rice, 6-7, 292 Reserve redshirt freshman offensive lineman Jon Hodde will miss the entire season after suffering a knee injury.
09/01/10- Paden Kelley, rFr, Texas, 6-7, 290 Offensive lineman Paden Kelley will not travel with the Longhorns to the Rice game after an undisclosed violation of team rules.
09/01/10- Mark Starr, rSr, Colorado State, 6-5, 295 AREAS OF CONCERN: Replacing 80 percent of a sturdy, veteran offensive line isn't easy. The Rams at least have some returning experience. Jake Gdowski started four games last year because of injury. Mark Starr has 16 career starts at one tackle spot, and Paul Madsen is the team's only returning starter at the other. Still, the group will take some time to develop, and those growing pains could be exacerbated as a freshman starting quarterback learns while he plays.
09/01/10- Nate Solder, rSr, Colorado, 6-8, 302 BREAKOUT STAR: OT Nate Solder - While it is a bit of a stretch to list a returning starter as a breakout performer, particularly a senior, the Buffs must count on the line to perform more consistently if they are to thrive offensively. Solder is a leader who has most avoided injuries, something that has hampered Colorado up front in recent seasons. A year ago, no senior started along the offensive line, where starters return at every spot. Solder is considered the best lineman, though C Keenan Stevens is a Remington Award candidate. Do not overlook the impact this group provides if healthy.
09/01/10- Kyle Hix, Sr, Texas, 6-7, 320 Kyle Hix will make the most noteworthy switch along the offensive line for the Longhorns, moving to left tackle after starting at right tackle the last three seasons. Hix, a 6-7, 325-pounder, is given the best chance at protecting Gilbert's blind side at his new position, according to Texas coaches. Guard Michael Huey is the only other starter returning along the offensive line. The Longhorns will be breaking in three new starters at center, right guard and right tackle - all positions that were played by fifth-year seniors last season.
09/01/10- Anthony Castonzo, Sr, Boston College, 6-7, 298 OT Anthony Costanzo, one of the best linemen in the country, is also a Rhodes Scholar candidate. He is on the watch list for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, given for community, classroom, character and competition.
09/01/10- Trinton Sturdivant, rJr, Georgia, 6-5, 320 SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Georgia will run much of its traditional I-formation with redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray under center. The Bulldogs boast an experienced offensive line that should make Murray's job easier by opening holes in the running game and protecting him in the passing game. Georgia is encouraged by the progress of junior Trindon Sturdivant, who is working his way back into the offensive line rotation after a pair of season-ending knee surgeries. Sturdivant, who started at left tackle for Georgia as a true freshman, will begin the season as a backup guard until he gets to full speed.
09/01/10- Nick Claytor, rJr, Georgia Tech, 6-6, 285 Three players - Nick Claytor, Phil Smith and Austin Barrick -- are vying for two starting spots at tackle. All have substantial experience, and a rotation is possible.
09/01/10- Corey Lewis, rJr, Illinois, 6-6, 305 Offensive tackle Corey Lewis, projected as a starter based on his spring-ball performance, tore his ACL in spring practice and isn't expected to play this year. Fifth-year senior Ryan Palmer, who has eight career starts on his ledger, takes Lewis' place.
09/01/10- Dann O'Neill, So, Western Michigan, 6-7, 309 NEWCOMER TO WATCH: RT Dann O'Neill is worth keeping an eye on. He's a transfer from the University of Michigan. The sophomore projects as a good player in the MAC, but one note of caution should be followed: He has never played in a college football game.
09/01/10- Andrew Datko, Jr, Florida State, 6-6, 305 Starting LT Andrew Datko (shoulder) missed a bulk of preseason, but has returned to practice and should start. The Seminoles' coaches have been impressed with his backup, sophomore Garrett Faircloth.
09/01/10- J'Michael Deane, rSr, Michigan State, 6-5, 312 PLAYERS TO WATCH: OT J'Michael Deane - The fifth-year senior nearly lost his spot on the team after his involvement in an off-campus dormitory fight, but Deane stuck with it and has looked great in preseason camp at RT.
09/01/10- Marcus Gilbert, rSr, Florida, 6-6, 318 Starting LT Xavier Nixon will miss the opening game after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee Aug. 24. Marcus Gilbert will move to LT, with Carl Johnson at LG, Mike Pouncey at C, James Wilson at RG and Maurice Hurt at RT.
09/01/10- Brayden Burris, So, Iowa State, 6-6, 278 OT Brayden Burris is listed as the starter on the preseason two-deep at right tackle after missing the spring game with a torn MCL. OG Hayworth Hicks will move into a spot on the right side, prompting C Ben Lamaak to move from guard to center. Lamaak, a senior with 33 starts, was named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy.
09/01/10- Kelechi Osemele, rJr, Iowa State, 6-5, 328 PLAYERS TO WATCH: LT Kelechi Osemele - If he can control the left side of the line, the Cyclones will have a chance to become a balanced offense and mix in the pass with their explosive running game.
09/01/10- Kelechi Osemele, rJr, Iowa State, 6-5, 328 The most important component to the Iowa State offense won't touch the football all season. Cyclone left tackle Kelechi Osemele plays a vital role in ISU's running game -- the key to the offense -- and protects the quarterback's blind side in the passing game. With an inexperienced defense, an offense returning seven starters will be asked to score more than the 20.5 points it did last season. And if the Cyclones are to do it, Osemele will be in the middle of it. "He might be the most important piece to the puzzle," ISU offensive coordinator Tom Herman said. Left tackle is as close to a finesse position as there is on the offense line, but Osemele is just as adept at finishing off run blocks as he is swallowing up pass rushers. His nasty disposition in the run game allows the Cyclones to run as well to its left as to its right, giving the running game an added dimension. Osemele didn't allow a sack last season, and with ISU looking for improved production out of the passing game he knows if he can't keep quarterback Austen Arnaud safe the Cyclones won't be able to score enough points to protect its young defense. "I know a lot rides on me in this offense," Osemele said. Osemele will try to get the offense started on the right foot when ISU opens the season by hosting Northern Illinois on Sept. 2.
09/01/10- Austin Holtz, rSo, Ball State, 6-5, 296 Austin Holtz started eight games at right tackle last season, but he opens this year as the backup behind Dan Manick, who had four starts in 2009.
.gif){kind=spacer}
.gif){kind=spacer}
.gif){kind=spacer}
