EWU’s veteran offensive line turns to teaching

Eastern Washington’s football program didn’t get this far by ignoring the future. A case in point: the Eagles’ offensive line, which could be the best in the Big Sky Conference this fall, thanks to the talent and experience of its seven seniors. And after that? Of the five other O-linemen practicing this spring, four are redshirt freshmen. That means it’s time to think ahead. “If you only have short-term goals, what are you doing long term?” asks Eastern offensive line coach Aaron Best, who has one junior and no sophomores to carry the torch into the 2016 season. It’s a generation gap of epic proportions, one that Best and his seniors will attempt to close this spring and fall. “I’ve never had this kind of disparity before,” said Best, now in his 15th season at EWU. “One year you’re ready to work part time, and all of a sudden you’re changing diapers,” Best said. That’s when Best will rely on his veterans – or nannies, as he calls them. The largest, left tackle Clay DeBord, is ready to help. “It’s definitely going to be a time for teaching, so we have to put that on our plate,” said the 6-foot-6, 305-pound DeBord. As left guard Aaron Neary puts it, “We’re teaching them everything we know, so it’s going to be an awesome spring.” Here is how the Eastern offensive line is shaping up: Tackle: DeBord, a senior from Asotin, Washington, has started 41 games, the most on the Eastern roster since he won the job as a redshirt freshman in the fall of 2012. “That’s awesome … but there’s still room for him to improve,” Best said. “His ceiling hasn’t been reached yet.” On the right side, the Eagles lose All-American Jake Rodgers. The heir apparent is senior Cassidy Curtis, a 6-7, 295-pounder from Denver who played in all 14 games last year. Jerrod Jones, the lone junior on the line, is currently the third tackle. The 6-5, 295-pounder from Arlington, Washington, is listed as the top backup at either tackle spot. Guard: Last year, the 6-4, 300-pound Neary was one of the biggest surprises on the team, earning first-team All-Big Sky honors as well as some All-America mentions. “I’m glad that everybody else saw what we saw,” Best said of the postseason balloting. “He makes everyone else better, and he finishes plays more than most guys.” Thomas Gomez, a 6-3, 295-pound senior from Graham, Washington, stepped in ably last year at right guard, helping the Eagles lead the nation in scoring offense (44.1 per game) and first downs (361 total). The top backup at either guard spot is Jay Deines, a 6-4, 285-pound senior from Issaquah, Washington. Behind him is David Delgado, a 6-3, 310-pound senior from American Canyon, California. Matt Meyer, a 6-5, 300-pound redshirt freshman transfer from Washington State, also will get reps at guard this spring, Best said. Center: The Eagles lose Jase Butorac, whom Best calls one of the most cerebral players he’s coached at the position. His likely replacement is senior T.J. Boatright, a 6-5, 290-pounder from Vancouver, Washington, who saw extensive duty last year. Also in the mix are a pair of redshirt freshmen, Spencer Blackburn (6-3, 260, Bellingham); and Nick Ellison (6-7, 245, Moscow, Idaho). More help is on the way: Six high school recruits will arrive in the fall after coach Beau Baldwin made the O-line a priority in the last recruiting cycle.