2009 Huskies Offensive Line Could Literally be Offensive

I absolutely love Fridays. It represents the end of the work week and the start of the weekend. It also means it’s time for Football Friday. Since we are officially in the off-season of professional and college football, I’ve decided over the next several weeks to break down and analyze position by position the Washington Huskies offense and defense. I’m going to kick this thing off in the trenches with the maulers up front, the big nasties, our favorite fatties, the Offensive Line.

The success of an Offensive Line is hard to quantify. There are two measurable categories, pass protection and the running game. Obviously a dynamic quarterback or running back can make an average OL look dominant. Unfortunately, in 2008 the Huskies lacked both (Locker only played 4 games).

The OL certainly struggled in 2008. They were a major factor in why the Huskies were 0-12 (actually the entire piss-poor team was responsible). It was a bit surprising considering they were fresh off an outstanding 2007 campaign where Louis Rankin was a monster. Rankin quietly put together a season that ranked in the top 5 Husky rushing seasons of all time. But that was a distant memory.

After losing Garcia and Bulyca to graduation, the 2009 OL is in a world of hurt. Garcia was the heart and soul of the OL. He had a mean streak and played the position with grit. He had the toughness and tenacity necessary to wear down a defense. He played an entire season after a Lisfranc sprain that should have ended his career, enough said. Now, the OL is left with a bunch of average 3 star recruits that haven’t been developed properly. Come September the starting unit should look like this:

LT-Cody Habben
LG- Ben Ossai
C-Ryan Tolar
RG-Senio Kelemete
RT-Drew Schaefer

Habben, Ossai and Tolar are returning starters. They make a formidable left side of the line. If I was a betting man (and I am just ask my bookie) I would bet my 401K that Sarkisian will be running to the left most of the time. These three could gel and open up some holes and eyes. Their experience on the left side is also important as they will protect Locker’s blind side. We all know if Locker goes down, the season goes with him and I would rather let another man do a body shot of my bare chest than see Fouch under center one more time. Bottom line, these three should be good.

I’m most worried about the entirely too young right side of the line. At the beginning of the spring, Sark brilliantly moved Kelemete back to his original position as an Offensive Lineman. Coming out of Evergreen HS, Kelemete was a 4 star recruit rated #19 in the country by Scout.com at the OL position. There is a logjam of young talent on the D-Line and moving Kalemete to offense definitely makes sense. Kelemete ran with the #1 offense early and concluded the Spring Game as the starting RG on the depth chart. Kelemete is very athletic and will be a starter for the next 3 years. Right now, he is a rookie who has yet to play a down at this position on the college level. The man to his right, Drew Schaefer is a redshirt freshman who hasn’t played a down either. Schaefer was a 3 star recruit out of Eastlake HS rated #32 by Scout.com. Kelemete and Schaefer are talented, but until they gain some experience they will get beat all year like they stole something.

Saying the Huskies lack depth on the OL is an understatement. If a single starter suffers an injury the season will be in jeopardy. Center Mykenna Ikehara is the only back-up that can step in and perform. Like Kelemete and Schaefer, he was a highly rated recruit in the class of 08’. The rest of the second unit couldn’t even start for Bellevue HS. LT Mark Armelin, RG Morgan Rosborough and RT Skylar Fancher are horrible.

Check back in 2 weeks for the next Football Friday post.