Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh Football Preview: Offensive Line
8/14/2019 2:30:00 PM | Football
Throughout the month of August Lehighsports.com will be taking a position-by-position look at the 2019 Lehigh football team. The Mountain Hawks, under the direction of first-year head coach Tom Gilmore, opened preseason camp on August 1 and are preparing for the 2019 season-opener August 31 versus Saint Francis at Goodman Stadium.
We continue with a look at the offensive line.
In what was expected to be a transitional year for Lehigh's offensive line, several preseason injuries on the offensive line prevented the Mountain Hawks from replicating their offensive success from the 2016 and 2017 campaigns.
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A number of younger players gained valuable experience last season and with the return of several veterans from injury, the offensive line could develop into one of Lehigh's deepest and most talented positional groups.
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"I'd like to see the offensive line be a really physical group," Gilmore said. "We have the potential to do that. Last year was just a very unusual year. Some early injuries forced the staff to make some changes and put guys in different positions to get the best people on the field. The players and coaches adjusted pretty well to the situation. Fortunately, we have a lot of those guys coming back. We have some size. Those guys have done a great job in the weight room. I'm really looking forward to seeing how that development over the offseason is going to help them this year."
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Junior Chris Fournier was Lehigh's top performer on the line last season, starting all 11 games at left tackle after seeing time at center as a freshman.
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On the right side of the line Lehigh returns fourth-year players Alex Motley and Taylor Curlin, both of who missed all of last season due to injury. Motley honed his craft behind all-league tackles Zach Duffy and Tim O'Hara in his first two seasons, and figures to slot in at right tackle, while Curlin could see time at right guard or serve as the swing tackle.
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Senior Nick Rosen has started 18 games over the last two seasons and figures to slot in at left guard.
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"Nick has been a guy that has developed since his freshman year," Gilmore said. "He has had a tremendous offseason. He is full go going into camp. He's a great leader. The improvement he has had during the course of his career has been remarkable. He's one of those guys that you can count on and look up to all the time."
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Senior Ryan Oneidas will also provide depth at the guard position.
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Justin Gurth emerged as a pleasant surprise. Pressed into a starting role as a freshman, Gurth started all 11 games at right tackle and won Lehigh's Best Offensive Lineman award at the year-end banquet. Gurth will move inside to center where he will compete with junior Matt Fest, who finished last season as the starter.
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"Gurth can be a force on the inside," Gilmore said. "He had a good season last year on the outside but his skills are better equipped for him to play inside. Matt Fest played center as well and played a lot last year. There's a lot of experience there. Just having them all back in one group healthy this year is going to be a big bonus for us. "
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Junior Jackson Evans also returns after seeing time on the interior in his first two seasons.
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For additional depth, Lehigh returns sophomores Jack Fris, Jan Maciejewski and Calvin Rivera along with a quartet of freshmen linemen. Jack Kempsey and Damon Stewart will work at tackle, while Hudson Reynolds and Brendon Passarelli will work at guard.
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We continue with a look at the offensive line.
In what was expected to be a transitional year for Lehigh's offensive line, several preseason injuries on the offensive line prevented the Mountain Hawks from replicating their offensive success from the 2016 and 2017 campaigns.
Â
A number of younger players gained valuable experience last season and with the return of several veterans from injury, the offensive line could develop into one of Lehigh's deepest and most talented positional groups.
Â
"I'd like to see the offensive line be a really physical group," Gilmore said. "We have the potential to do that. Last year was just a very unusual year. Some early injuries forced the staff to make some changes and put guys in different positions to get the best people on the field. The players and coaches adjusted pretty well to the situation. Fortunately, we have a lot of those guys coming back. We have some size. Those guys have done a great job in the weight room. I'm really looking forward to seeing how that development over the offseason is going to help them this year."
Â
Junior Chris Fournier was Lehigh's top performer on the line last season, starting all 11 games at left tackle after seeing time at center as a freshman.
Â
On the right side of the line Lehigh returns fourth-year players Alex Motley and Taylor Curlin, both of who missed all of last season due to injury. Motley honed his craft behind all-league tackles Zach Duffy and Tim O'Hara in his first two seasons, and figures to slot in at right tackle, while Curlin could see time at right guard or serve as the swing tackle.
Â
Senior Nick Rosen has started 18 games over the last two seasons and figures to slot in at left guard.
Â
"Nick has been a guy that has developed since his freshman year," Gilmore said. "He has had a tremendous offseason. He is full go going into camp. He's a great leader. The improvement he has had during the course of his career has been remarkable. He's one of those guys that you can count on and look up to all the time."
Â
Senior Ryan Oneidas will also provide depth at the guard position.
Â
Justin Gurth emerged as a pleasant surprise. Pressed into a starting role as a freshman, Gurth started all 11 games at right tackle and won Lehigh's Best Offensive Lineman award at the year-end banquet. Gurth will move inside to center where he will compete with junior Matt Fest, who finished last season as the starter.
Â
"Gurth can be a force on the inside," Gilmore said. "He had a good season last year on the outside but his skills are better equipped for him to play inside. Matt Fest played center as well and played a lot last year. There's a lot of experience there. Just having them all back in one group healthy this year is going to be a big bonus for us. "
Â
Junior Jackson Evans also returns after seeing time on the interior in his first two seasons.
Â
For additional depth, Lehigh returns sophomores Jack Fris, Jan Maciejewski and Calvin Rivera along with a quartet of freshmen linemen. Jack Kempsey and Damon Stewart will work at tackle, while Hudson Reynolds and Brendon Passarelli will work at guard.
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