2015 Starting O-Line

John Galt

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 28, 2011
Messages
11,857
Reaction score
2,971
Points
113
I was listening to Tommy Olson on KFAN this morning, and he offered up his prediction for the starting O-line this next year.

LT - Campion
LG - Bush
C - Mayes
RG - Bjorklund
RT - Pirsig and Lauer

I found it surprising that Mayes would move back to center, and that John Christenson wouldn't be in the starting line-up given that he started at RG in the Bowl Game. Should be interesting to see how it shakes out in the spring.
 

What I like is that unlike a few years back when we simply had to pencil guys into spots due to lack of depth, there really are around 8 guys that you could see in the hunt for the starting jobs.
 

That is interesting. I'm not going to count anyone out, but I think it'll be hard for Bush to hold off Isaac Hayes and Christenson.

I know Campion could move inside as well, I just don't think the staff is going to want to take one of their most experienced OL and move him inside instead of keeping him at LT.
 




Connor Mayes's dad posts on GI and he says Connor is up to 318 and Alex is up to 308 which gives us 5 O-lineman over 315. I was hoping for Bjorklund to start over him with being a 5th year senior but Mayes is now much bigger so I don't think you could go wrong with either one. I would also like to see Campion move inside and replace Epping since most believe OG is his more natural position plus Lauer should be healthier next year but I still think he will stay at OT. I have a hard time believing Christenson gets beat out at center considering his age and he was starting over Tommy Olson before his injury. Hayes and Bush should be key backups at guard.
 

My best guesses:

If Campion moves inside
LT - Lauer
LG - Campion
C - Christenson
RG - C Mayes
RT - Pirsig

If Campion stays at LT
LT - Campion
LG - Bjorklund or Bush
C - Christenson
RG - C Mayes
RT - Lauer/Pirsig
 


The best part of this string is that there are several possibilities and any of them could be correct.
 




My guess....

LT- Lauer (When healthy he's our best option), with Campion/Alex Mayes backing him up.

LG- Bjorklund (Played more at LG than RG and looked good), with Hayes backing him up.

C- Christenson (If he's able to return at 100%? His injury was very severe. Insiders were surprised he is making a come back and the little he played was painful to watch as he waddled around at maybe 60-70%.). If JC just can't get back to where he needs to be, my money in on Bobek with either Connor Mayes getting some snaps because the staff wants everyone capable of playing more than one spot, or Tyler Moore getting some reps. We have to get someone some reps so we have some experience the following year when JC and Bobek are gone. I've heard Moore is the C of the future, with Connor Mayes envisioned as our RG. Moore enrolled early and Kill has gone out of his way to mention that he's physically ready and could play next year.

RG- The most interesting spot imo. I wouldn't be surprised to see Foster Bush lock down the position. I don't expect it, but I've watched enough experienced Seniors beat out more talented underclassmen in my life to count him out. Christenson played some at RG so he's in the mix too. Bjorklund is too good imo to be sitting on the sidelines. Connor Mayes has as good of chance as anyone else. Campion is our most versatile lineman and could be the best player of the group?

RT- Campion is the anchor here having started every game as Freshman and Sophomore, and would have started every game as a Junior if not for the injury to Lauer at LT. I disagree with DHG saying Gaurd is his more natural position. This kid was penciled in to be a 4 year starter at RT until Lauer's injury. We want to have our best player at his best position if possible, but his versatility gives us options. People seem to cut Pirsig more slack than the other guys. I imagine it's being from Minnesota and being a 4* with an Ohio St offer? Whatever it is, he needs to get much better. He'll be a r-Jr this season and needs to step up. If you put Pirsig and Campion into a competition for the RT job with no other considerations, up to this point it wouldn't even be close, Campion by a mile. That doesn't mean Pirsig won't come into his own this year and become better than Campion ever could have been, but right now the drop off from Campion to Pirsig is noticeable. That's the hope of course and then Campion could become available to upgrade another position.

- Echoing other posters, the nice part here is that we have so much depth and more importantly, veteran depth.

r-Jr Lauer
r-So A. Mayes
r-Jr Bjorklund
r-Jr Hayes
r-Sr Christenson
r-Sr Bobek
Fr Moore
r-Sr Bush
So C Mayes
r-Sr Campion
r-Jr Pirsig
 

My prediction:

LT - Lauer
LG - Campion
C - C Mayes
RG - Bjorklund
RT - Pirsig

I thought Pirsig improved a lot from the beginning of last season til the end of last season, he's very much in the running for one of the tackle spots. I've seen Foster Bush's name bantied about for the past couple seasons now and he hasn't stepped up, I could be wrong but I'm not sold on him at one of the Guard spots. IMO, if they want to get the best 5 guys out there I think they may want to put Campion at G. I'm loving the depth.
 

There was talk last year about moving Campion inside, and it just didn't happen. We lost Epping and Olson.

LT Campion
LG Christenson
C Bobek
RG Bjorklund
RT Pirsig

Think of the number of starts when putting the offensive line together.
 



There was talk last year about moving Campion inside, and it just didn't happen. We lost Epping and Olson.

LT Campion
LG Christenson
C Bobek
RG Bjorklund
RT Pirsig

Think of the number of starts when putting the offensive line together.

Lauer's health had a lot to do with that.
 

Conner Mayes was arguably the #1 center recruit in the nation last year. On OL it's tough to start as an underclassman, but if anyone can it's him.

Christenson still may not be back to pre-injury form. That was a pretty bad injury.
 


wow the OL is pretty experienced but lets say there is a injury bug like the defensive line was hit last season. it gets real thin after the top 9 guys. which is not a problem for the starting line but back ups and special teams get a little thin

I think Campion moves inside with Bjorkland or Christensen getting the other Guard spot and Hayes pushing for PT
Pirsig and Laeur get the Tackles starting with Bush and Alex Mayes as back ups
Center goes to Bobek or C Mayes and the other backing up and it depends on how the off season goes for both of them.
 

There was talk last year about moving Campion inside, and it just didn't happen. We lost Epping and Olson.

LT Campion
LG Christenson
C Bobek
RG Bjorklund
RT Pirsig

Think of the number of starts when putting the offensive line together.
If healthy this would be a great lineup with 3 old men and two red shirt juniors. It's going to be a fun season!
 

This is how I envision our offensive line to look like next year.


Bagger-garzweiler.jpg
 

I tend to lean with Tommy O. on his prediction.

Lauer hasn't been healthy for a year. Christensen is off a major injury and I think better serves as a great back-up at three spots with his experience. Kill played Mayes due to injury, but also said he could have played sooner. He will now start at Center. Campion is the LT that stays healthy and is a leader. Kill likes nasty players as well, which plays into the decisions.

The beauty is that if a True Freshman plays, they are that good.
 

LT- Campion
LG- Bobek
C- Christenson
RG- Bjorklund
RT- Lauer
 

I really hope that Kill redshirts all five incoming freshmen, we have so much depth that unless we start losing some of the upperclassman for the season we should not have to play the incoming guys. The 5 linemen, Croft, the three running backs and two receivers are the foundation for the future and should spend all next season making life tough for the starting defense - as members of the scout team...
 

LT Lauer
LG Campion
C Christenson
RG Bush or Mayes
RT Pirsig
 

wow the OL is pretty experienced but lets say there is a injury bug like the defensive line was hit last season. it gets real thin after the top 9 guys. which is not a problem for the starting line but back ups and special teams get a little thin

I think Campion moves inside with Bjorkland or Christensen getting the other Guard spot and Hayes pushing for PT
Pirsig and Laeur get the Tackles starting with Bush and Alex Mayes as back ups
Center goes to Bobek or C Mayes and the other backing up and it depends on how the off season goes for both of them.

I just don't think anyone keeps C Mayes off the field barring injury...the coaches burned his redshirt for a reason...I expect him to start at guard. Kid has great feet and can really get leverage and pull for his size...
 

I just don't think anyone keeps C Mayes off the field barring injury...the coaches burned his redshirt for a reason...I expect him to start at guard. Kid has great feet and can really get leverage and pull for his size...

recruited as a center you think he moves to a guard? when the center position is up for grabs as well?

I think we all will find out in spring practice but i think he gets shot at center
 

recruited as a center you think he moves to a guard? when the center position is up for grabs as well?

I think we all will find out in spring practice but i think he gets shot at center

This staff has liked him at guard for a while now and he has always played guard since he got here. Thats not news plus they consider Tyler Moore to be the center of the future probably after Christensen and Bobek are gone.
 

recruited as a center you think he moves to a guard? when the center position is up for grabs as well?

I think we all will find out in spring practice but i think he gets shot at center

How all this works out will be determined this spring and coming fall. The center position will be a competitive one with Brian Bobek and possibly Jon Christenson in the mix. Where Connor Mayes plays will also depend upon what combination of players will result in the best overall line.
 

I really hope that Kill redshirts all five incoming freshmen, we have so much depth that unless we start losing some of the upperclassman for the season we should not have to play the incoming guys. The 5 linemen, Croft, the three running backs and two receivers are the foundation for the future and should spend all next season making life tough for the starting defense - as members of the scout team...

I'll bet one or two of the OL and one of the RBs will play. You can't redshirt everyone because some of these guys are going to need to fill backup spots next year (thus one injury away from starting) so you want them to get their ears wet this year. I agree for the most part though.
 

The only folks that thing a Bobek has any chance of playing are here on Gopherhole. I don't think he's really in the mix. Folks just like the fact that he came from Ohio State. He's a depth player at best.
 

The only folks that thing a Bobek has any chance of playing are here on Gopherhole. I don't think he's really in the mix. Folks just like the fact that he came from Ohio State. He's a depth player at best.

I can't think if any time he has even played as a gopher in fact I was surprised he still had eligibility. I would be surprised if he is even on the two deeps.
 




Top Bottom