Part 1 - Quarterbacks
Part 2 - Running Backs
Part 3- Wide Receivers
The Warrior offensive line hopes for a reversal of fortune in 2009. The unit had its share of struggles last year as injuries forced line-up shuffling and instability. However, there's plenty of optimism heading into this year with a healthy crew led by one of the best centers in the nation.
Four players return with starting experience and are now under the tutelage of a new offensive line coach in Gordy Shaw, whose line at previous stop Minnesota paved the way for one of the most vaunted rushing attacks in the nation.
“I feel like I'm really blessed with a group of guys that will run through a wall to do whatever I ask them to do,” Shaw said. “They've worked tremendously hard this summer and at this camp. They're giving every ounce of effort they've got in every play. We take tremendous pride in protecting our quarterback. I think they've done a very good job here so far with the mind set of playing as a nickel instead of five pennies.”
The anchor of the Warrior unit, and for that matter the team, is two-time all-WAC center and All-American candidate
John Estes. The senior has started every game since his freshman season and could end his career as the most decorated offensive lineman in school history. For the past three years, Estes has been named to the Rimington Award Watch List as the nation's top center and will be the team's top pro prospect in next year's NFL Draft.
“John's a better pass blocker than maybe any center that I've ever coached,” said Shaw, who has coached for 30 years. “He's a very strong, very athletic and very smart player. We're getting him more involved with the run game and working on getting a sense of when and when not to block somebody. He's progressing fast here in this fall camp and has been doing those things as every inch good as the great ones I've coached before.”
Aaron Kia will again occupy the all-important left-tackle position, guarding the quarterback's blind side. On the other side is
Laupepa Letuli, who battled injury last season but still managed to start six games. The California native started the 2008 season-opener at left tackle before moving to guard midway through the year.
Raphael Ieru and
Ray Hisatake are currently penciled in as starters at the right- and left-guard positions, respectively. Also returning at guard is
Brysen Ginlack, who started five consecutive games early in the 2008 season.
“Our front line is pretty set in Aaron, Ray, John , Raphael, and Pepa,” Shaw said. “I was concerned coming into camp that we weren't going to have that much depth. But the younger players have stayed here all summer and worked really hard. I don't have a true second team yet because there are some guys on the third team that are playing really well and getting reps with the twos. I've got eight or nine guys grouped up and I've gotta pick five guys by the time we make our first road trip to Washington State. So, it's a good problem to have.”
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