Offensive line preview

Left tackle (LT)-
The most important spot on the field because they have to protect Reesing's blind side.
The odds on favorite to land this spot is Tanner Hawkinson and all reports are that he will. As most of you know, Tanner was recruited as a TE and then moved to DE during his red-shirt year, so he has some athletic ability.
One thing I really like about this switch is the fact that he played DE in practice (and was scout team player of the week, at least once) so he knows how to go at a OL and know that he's switched he should be able to recognize certain moves that DE's will try and execute. Remember Anthony Collins converted from a DE before becoming an All American at LT.
Tanner is currently at 285 pounds with a target playing weight of 290.

Left Guard (LG)-
"Big" John Williams out of Oklahoma. He's 338 pounds of blocking.
He was really well thought of coming out of high school but hurt his foot and that was enough for OU to hold back an offer and KU was able to scoop him up.
I'm really looking forward to seeing him play. Personally, I wasn't that impressed with Adrian Mayes at any point in time so I look at this as an upgrade. Plus with as wide as he is he should be able to help Tanner out a bit.
Coupled with the beast at Center and D tackles are going to have their work cut out for them.

Center -
Jeremiah Hatch. He was a center in HS and recruited at center but played LT last year and was pretty good even if he didn't have the long arms (which I understand how that sucks) so him moving to center to take over for the graduate Ryan Cantrell is good.
Also the staff wouldn't move him back if they didn't think highly of Tanner at LT, so that's good for the line as a whole. I expect Hatch to have a big year and a very good career as the signal caller of the line.
He's 311 pounds so if you're adding that's almost 650 pounds between him and Williams.

Right guard (RG)-
Sal Capra fits here, Brad Thorsen might get a look here, Trevor Marogenelli could be the guy.
Who the hell really knows, I don't.
All seem capable, Capra did well last year when he filled in on the line at guard and center.
Thorsen is a guy who is very smart and played at Wisconsin and saw limited reps last year for KU. He's still got 2 years left but I think at this moment he's a great back up and someone who can spell Hatch at center if need be.
Marogenelli is a mean SOB, so I'd like to see him take this spot, because he might smash some bones. He's only a RS FR so he might still have some time if the Senior Capra gets this spot.

Ben Lueken would have locked this down if he wasn't getting run over by cars.

Right tackle (RT)
Jeff Spikes-
He played well as the season progressed and at 6-7 314 he's a mountain of a dude, I'm still shocked that he didn't pan out at LT but he's a good RT and if he continues to progress and be dominant at that spot it will give the coaches some options such as moving around TE Tim Biere such as to help chip on a guy with Tanner.

Tight End (TE)
Tim Biere- we might as well include him here, because we're not going to do an entire blog on TE's, sorry Tim.
Biere was a real solid blocker last year from the TE spot and this year should be no different and I believe after the Spring game that he'll be slightly more involved in the passing game.
There's no reason that he can't develop into the next Derek Fine and if that happens I think a lot of Jayhawk fans will be quite pleased with Biere.
Plus his last name means Beer in French, so that's pretty cool.


Overall, the OL looks a little more solid than last year. Hatch at Center is an upgrade over Cantrell who was a little undersized although a tough player. Spikes should be improved at RT and Williams seems to me at least like an upgrade at LG if not on size alone.
LT will be the question mark but I have a lot of faith in Hawkinson, he's worked really hard and has put in a lot time, switching him in the Spring makes the transition a lot easier.

Rock Chalk