Last season, quarterback Keith Wenning had the luxury of having the most experienced offensive line in the country protecting him.
As spring practice began Tuesday for Ball State, he lined up under center with an offensive line with some new faces.
Center Jacob Richard, guard Jalen Schlachter and tackle Drake Miller all top the depth-chart on the offensive line for 2013. But one familiar face on the line is senior guard Jordan Hansel, who will step up as a leader this season.
“I can answer just about any question about any position on the line, even though I’ve only played guard,” Hansel said. “The greatest thing I can bring to the younger guys is my shear experience. They do take advantage of that.”
Ball State will use the spring to get a chemistry on the offensive line that works, as well as perfecting blocking assignments.
Richard, who is coming into his first spring practice as a starter, said his focus isn’t on being the starting center.
“I don’t really put much weight on that,” he said. “I’m just trying to stay focused and get better each day.”
This season’s offensive line won’t be as experienced as last season’s. But even with the departures of players such as Dan Manick, Kitt O’Brien and Austin Holtz, Hansel said he thinks the offensive line can still be as productive because of the bonds between the players.
“It’s more of a family,” Hansel said. “Even with those guys gone, we’re still as just as much as a family and I don’t think it’ll change much.”
Richard did see playing time last year when Manick went down with an ankle injury. He said having the playing experience will help because players don’t know how to replicate live action in practice.
The experience will also allow him to be a leader on the offensive line for a player who wasn’t seen game action before. But even with the youth on the offensive line, Richard said he expects the offensive line this season to be just as good as last year’s.
“What will make us special is the young guys,” Richard said. “We’re inexperienced, but we have to start somewhere. We’re just going to do our best everyday to improve ourselves. I know we can be a great offensive line.”
