Offensive line forms here
PULLMAN – If any Washington State unit caused headaches before the season began, it was the offensive line. Even head coach Bill Doba would mention the line as a question mark.
The Cougars lost starting tackle Charles Harris to graduation and guard Andy Roof to a suspension. That comes on the heels of a year when the depth wasn’t overwhelming.
But quarterbacks coach Timm Rosenbach wasn’t losing any sleep. He told a reporter even before fall camp began, “I’m not worried about the line, George will have them ready.”
The “George” Rosenbach mentioned is offensive line coach George Yarno, in his eighth season coaching at WSU – over two stints – but his 17th overall as a college line coach. Before that, Yarno spent 13 years of mucking around in the trenches in professional football as an offensive lineman.
Add it up and it’s 30 years of coaching or playing the offensive line – Yarno was a defensive lineman in his four years at WSU, finishing his career fifth on the school’s career tackles list – so he has a little cred to fall back on.
So when Yarno talks, it’s worth listening.
“I’m really happy with the first five guys,” Yarno said. “I really think we can compete at a very high level. There is a certain learning curve that goes with every group, every year, (so) when our peak performance will occur, I can’t tell you, I just know we are going to play the very best we can against Wisconsin.”
What does he have to say about those first five offensive linemen he’s so happy with?
Left tackle Vaughn Lesuma: “A great kid with a great thirst for the game. … He asks questions, thinks about football, focuses on things, 24 hours a day as far as I can tell. … He wants to be a good player with everything he is and he’s putting everything he has into it. He has grown tremendously in a very short period of time. He’s a very talented football player. When greatness will come, I don’t know, but it will. … He’s very young in the game, trying to learn, but he very seldom makes the same mistake twice. He has the most potential of anybody on our offensive line. He may be one of the most talented players I’ve ever coached. … Loves to compete so he’s just going to get better and better and play on Sundays someday.”
Left guard Bobby Byrd: “He’s the glue that holds the pot together. The kids all respect him, he’s a leader out there for us. He keeps everyone going in the right direction. … He’s seen most everything blitz-wise or stunt-wise. … He’s going to have a great year, he’s had a great camp. Really worked hard this summer, lost about 15 pounds, is leaner, moves better.”
Center Kenny Alfred: “Is everything I look for in a football player. Great intelligence, incredible toughness, unbelievable competitive nature to him. Knows the difference between right and wrong, so I don’t have to worry about him as a citizen. Just a joy to coach. We will grow faster because of him. He can see things, do things, as a sophomore that a lot of kids can’t do as a senior. … He really is fun to watch play football.”
Right guard Dan Rowlands: “The ultimate competitor. He’s the guy who is going to get it done no matter what, no matter who, no matter how. … Maybe not as gifted as some of the other kids, strength-wise, but his assets are just pure competitiveness, a will to win and will not be denied. He’s a guy you can count on to get his job done every play. He’s a little nicked up right now, but he’ll be fine for the Wisconsin game. Actually, a few days off for him will probably help him because he goes so hard when he practices.”
Right tackle Micah Hannam: “A true success story. He’s earned that starting position. He’s clearly separated himself from the other people who were competing for that position and has solidified himself as one of the five best we have. … The other four starters accept him as a peer and feel he’s also ready to play, which is good. I feel he’s ready to play. His assets are intelligence and toughness. He needs to get stronger … and work on his athleticism a little bit. Those will all come in time, but he’s got a chance to be a four-year starter in the Pac-10.”
Even Yarno will concede the offensive line is thin, but in his eyes it has gained weight recently – though almost all of the backups are freshmen.
Yarno raves about true freshman Andrew Roxas, a guard from St. Francis High in Southern California, saying he is as technically proficient as any freshman he’s had. Also standing out this fall is redshirt freshman Joe Eppele, Vaughn Lesuma’s younger brother, Reed, and another true freshman, Steven Ayers. Colfax’s Brian Danaher, Lewis and Clark’s Nick Cantlon and Chris Prummer also earned some mention.
But it’s the starters who will be the first line of offense, and Yarno has no question they can compete.
“I just wanted to make sure we could put the pieces together to be competitive, because we have really good skill players,” Yarno said. “I want the offensive line to be an asset, not a liability. I truly feel right now we will be an asset to this football team.”
Position outlook
The Cougars’ offensive line was the biggest question mark when camp opened. It still is because they haven’t played together in a game.
Wisconsin’s front seven will be a test.
But the potential is there for the guys up front to power the offense before the end of the season.