JimBob
03-26-2009, 07:34 AM
Wickline grooming new guards at OSU
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 3/26/2009 2:30 AM
Last Modified: 3/26/2009 4:18 AM
STILLWATER — On the edges and in the middle, the Oklahoma State offensive line is rife with experience.
Three senior returning starters — left tackle Russell Okung, center Andrew Lewis and right tackle Brady Bond — will enter the Sept. 5 Georgia opener with a combined 91 career starts.
An All-Big 12 selection, Okung could be an NFL first-round draft pick in 2010. Lewis started at left guard last season, with David Washington at center.
Lewis returns to his natural position at center. Washington and guard Steve Denning, veterans of a combined 63 starts, have graduated. During the spring-practice period, offensive line coach Joe Wickline is working with new guards.
"We're at the infant stages of finding guys," said Wickline, who recently was named a co-offensive coordinator. "You lost Denning and David Washington. You lost a lot of starts. That's not going to be a quick fix."
Currently running with the No. 1 unit are right guard Noah Franklin (a senior from Vinita) and left guard Jonathan Rush (a sophomore from Killeen, Texas). Franklin is a fifth-year Cowboy, having been a member of coach Mike Gundy's first recruiting class in 2005.
"I think Noah has done a good job," Lewis said. "He's come a long way, even since last year. He has really stepped it up in that starter role."
Wickline likes the potential of 6-foot-5, 320-pound newcomer Anthony Morgan, who at Navarro (Texas) Junior College last season was the nation's highest-rated juco offensive lineman.
"His biggest thing right now is indecision," Wickline said of Morgan. "Every time something comes out of (a coach's) mouth, it's like brand new to him. The question is, how fast can he adjust to our system? That takes time.
"Don't get me wrong — he's a great (recruit). If we had it to do over again, I'd take him in a heartbeat. I'm glad he's here, but we're going through growing pains with him. When he understands it, he's going to be a tough kid."
Backups at center are sophomore Grant Garner and sophomore walk-on Casey LaBrue. Sophomore Nick Martinez has gotten repetitions at the guard positions, and senior Andrew Mitchell may be the first substitute at either tackle spot.
At the tackles, Wickline said, "you're pretty comfortable there. We've got three seniors and we'll find another guy. We'll have four tackles."
Wickline is infamous for being tough on his players, but the results have been positive. OSU has led the Big 12 in rushing in each of the last three seasons.
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 3/26/2009 2:30 AM
Last Modified: 3/26/2009 4:18 AM
STILLWATER — On the edges and in the middle, the Oklahoma State offensive line is rife with experience.
Three senior returning starters — left tackle Russell Okung, center Andrew Lewis and right tackle Brady Bond — will enter the Sept. 5 Georgia opener with a combined 91 career starts.
An All-Big 12 selection, Okung could be an NFL first-round draft pick in 2010. Lewis started at left guard last season, with David Washington at center.
Lewis returns to his natural position at center. Washington and guard Steve Denning, veterans of a combined 63 starts, have graduated. During the spring-practice period, offensive line coach Joe Wickline is working with new guards.
"We're at the infant stages of finding guys," said Wickline, who recently was named a co-offensive coordinator. "You lost Denning and David Washington. You lost a lot of starts. That's not going to be a quick fix."
Currently running with the No. 1 unit are right guard Noah Franklin (a senior from Vinita) and left guard Jonathan Rush (a sophomore from Killeen, Texas). Franklin is a fifth-year Cowboy, having been a member of coach Mike Gundy's first recruiting class in 2005.
"I think Noah has done a good job," Lewis said. "He's come a long way, even since last year. He has really stepped it up in that starter role."
Wickline likes the potential of 6-foot-5, 320-pound newcomer Anthony Morgan, who at Navarro (Texas) Junior College last season was the nation's highest-rated juco offensive lineman.
"His biggest thing right now is indecision," Wickline said of Morgan. "Every time something comes out of (a coach's) mouth, it's like brand new to him. The question is, how fast can he adjust to our system? That takes time.
"Don't get me wrong — he's a great (recruit). If we had it to do over again, I'd take him in a heartbeat. I'm glad he's here, but we're going through growing pains with him. When he understands it, he's going to be a tough kid."
Backups at center are sophomore Grant Garner and sophomore walk-on Casey LaBrue. Sophomore Nick Martinez has gotten repetitions at the guard positions, and senior Andrew Mitchell may be the first substitute at either tackle spot.
At the tackles, Wickline said, "you're pretty comfortable there. We've got three seniors and we'll find another guy. We'll have four tackles."
Wickline is infamous for being tough on his players, but the results have been positive. OSU has led the Big 12 in rushing in each of the last three seasons.