Offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator Matt Luke are working with a depleted offensive line this spring, with a number of contributors from last year working their way back from injuries and even expected contributors not enrolled in school yet.
Eli Johnson snaps the ball to Shea Patterson during a practice earlier this semester. (Photo by: Lizzie McIntosh)
Despite this, Luke said he has still been able to get some quality reps in to develop players along the offensive line.
Luke will replace four seniors from last year’s offensive line, making the experience of guards Javon Patterson, Jordan Sims and tackle Sean Rawlings critical.
“I think those reps they got last year playing as freshman were huge, just because those guys are like veterans out there right now and they’re only sophomores,” Luke said. “So that’s a good thing, but they’ve got some progress they need to make too, “
Patterson said he felt last season and last year’s spring practice helped him improve greatly since joining the team.
“Last year helped a lot,” Patterson said. “Coming in during the spring, going against guys like (Robert) Nkemdiche, Breeland (Speaks), Fadol (Brown), Marquis (Haynes), D.J. Jones, those guys really helped a lot. I can see my game has stepped up a little bit, and I’m working on getting better in this spring too.”
With Laremy Tunsil predicted by many to be the top pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, there are big shoes to fill at the left tackle position. Currently, Luke has played Rawlings, senior Jeremy Liggins and redshirt freshman at the spot.
“I’ve been really pleased with Jeremy, Alex has done well, I put Sean in there some today to get him some reps at tackle. They’ve all done fine,” Luke said. “Jeremy is really athletic so I’ve been really pleased with what he’s done in the first four days. Alex is, I think, a very talented kid for where he is as a redshirt freshman, still inexperienced because he doesn’t have that game experience. So, I think all these reps are really important for him.”
Luke said he thought Liggins, who also lined up at quarterback and tight end during his time at Ole Miss, looked more natural at offensive lineman now.
“I think he has a lot of carry-over from the reps that we got him at o-line in bowl practice and things like that,” Luke said. “We’re still in the early stages of install. But he’s done well retaining what we’ve done so far.”
With Liggins now playing full-time offensive tackle, Luke said he has already seen improvements in him.
“I think the biggest thing is he just looks more comfortable. He doesn’t look out of place, even with his stance, the communication with the guys,” Luke said. “I don’t think he feels like it’s foreign to him, I think he’s one of the guys and I think he’s embracing that role and he’s doing a good job.”
Liggins said he embraced the position change.
“It’s going great. I feel like I really belong there,” Liggins said. “I’ve really been waiting on this, my opportunity to showcase my talent at this position. I just look at it as a blessing.”
– Cody Thomason
