North Carolina State University Athletics
Football Series, Part Four: Offensive Line
7/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 17, 2003
Gopack.com's football preview series continues today with a look at the offensive line
The most improved position on the 2002 NC State squad may have been the offensive line. That unit enjoyed great success, paving the way for the Pack's best rushing numbers in 25 years and for a record-setting aerial attack (3,468 yards). The first-team offensive line played as a unit for most of the season, substituting mainly as a group.
Two key members of the offensive line that set a school record by allowing just 11 sacks in 14 games completed their eligibility and moved on to the NFL: tackle Scott Kooistra and guard Shane Riggs. However, three seasoned starters return for the Pack offensive line in 2003.
Tackle Chris Colmer (6-6, 305, *Sr.) has been the Pack's top performer on the offensive line for each of the last two seasons, tallying 151 knockdown blocks as a junior and grading out over 90 percent in almost every contest. Colmer has played 2,288 snaps for his career, making him one of the most experienced returnees on the Wolfpack squad.
Redshirts Jon Holt (6-6, 280, *Fr.) and James Newby (6-6, 265, *Fr.) should battle for the backup job at left tackle.
Newcomer Derek Morris (6-6, 328, Fr.), a Parade All-American in high school, moved right into the battle for the starting job at the right tackle after coming to NC State in January. Morris has lost over 30 pounds since coming to campus and should look completely different in fall drills than he did in the spring. John McKeon (6-5, 306, *So.), who played in seven games last season, and Justin Wortham (6-5, 300, Sr.), who saw action in six contests, will also vie for time at right tackle.
Sean Locklear (6-5, 296, *Sr.) performed well at guard in 2002, his first year on offense after moving over from the defensive front last spring. Locklear, who tallied 61 knockdown blocks for the season, was in for 902 plays in 2002, tying Colmer for the team-high. Brandon Moore (6-3, 290, *So.) and Brian Archis (6-4, 270, *So.) should also see frequent work this spring behind Locklear at right guard.
The battle for the left guard spot should continue to be a vigorous one this fall. Ricky Fowler (6-2, 287, *Jr.), a former defensive tackle, redshirted the 2002 campaign on the offensive line and emerged from spring practice listed as the starter. Leroy Harris (6-3, 285, *Fr), who also redshirted last season, and walkon Ashley Wingate (6-3, 301, *Sr.), who started the 2002 game at Virginia, should be in the mix at that position as well.
At center, Jed Paulsen (6-2, 290, Jr.) should be a solidified starter, although he missed spring workouts after undergoing reconstructive surgery for a torn ACL that kept him out of three games last season. Paulsen started all 11 games that he played in 2002, tallying 74 knockdown blocks.
When Paulsen was out, Brandon Sanders (6-0, 281, *Sr.) played solidly at the center slot. Antoine Colvin (6-3, 304, *So.), who was in for 41 snaps in six games as Locklear's backup, Wortham and Harris will also see time at center.
"Our offensive line made good progress this spring, but that unit will have to progress quickly in the fall," said Amato. "We've got to have some young guys step up at those positions and really make an impact."
Coming Monday: Defensive Line
Part One: Quarterbacks
Part Two: Wide Receivers
Part Three: Running Backs/Tight Ends
