July 5, 2006
Editor's Note: This preview of Texas State's offensive line and tight end positions is the third in a series of insights into the 2006 Texas State football season. Generally, a new feature will run each Wednesday prior to the start of preseason camp.
SAN MARCOS - Returning four players with experience may be the first step in the Bobcat offensive line developing its own persona.
Seniors Buck Koalenz and Ryne Miller give Texas State experience and leadership on the offensive line, and with Matt Jenkins and Justin Boren also returning, the Bobcats have four players back with experience as starters.
"We have to build an identity and develop a work ethic," said Texas State co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Blake Miller. "We have to create an attitude. A part may be coaching but a lot comes down to playing. One of the good things about this year's team is there are four guys that have played for us now for two-plus years. They know how things are supposed to be done."
Ryne Miller has received preseason accolades this summer while Koalenz managed seven starts and played with injuries much of the 2005 season.
"Ryne is a versatile player who for two years now has started at three different positions - center, guard and tackle," Blake Miller said. "He's a very good leader and a good team player.
"Buck is also a good leader who is extremely smart and makes all the calls up front. We'll be looking for him to come back healthy this fall."
Jenkins, a junior who started 12 games last year, has the talent to make the move from right tackle to left tackle this fall.
"Matt is one of the more athletically-gifted offensive linemen on the team," Miller said. "Hopefully he will make the next step when it comes to developing his abilities."
Also back is Boren, a transfer from SMU prior to the 2005 season. The junior started two games at left guard last year but played significantly on a rotational basis in his first season as a Bobcat.
"Justin is going to have to become more consistent to give us an opportunity to have a good offensive line," Miller said.
In addition to the four players mentioned above, Texas State's projected starting lineup will include red-shirt freshman Calvin Gore. Gore, who prepped at nearby Smithson Valley, was red-shirted last year but could have helped the `Cats, even as a true freshman.
"Calvin was probably the team's sixth or seventh best offensive lineman last year," Miller said. "He has pretty good instincts but will need to make significant improvement during two-a-days."
Like many positions on offense, Texas State will look to develop depth quickly along the offensive line.
While the Bobcats return four players with experience as starters, they lose two All-Southland Conference First-Teamers - a four-year starter and a three-year starter. In addition to the loss of Thomas Keresztury and Luke Horder, the Bobcats also lost four-year letterman Joel Moore.
Senior Matt Padron has split time between tight end and offensive tackle and his improvement in camp will be an indicator of his role this fall. Alex Luna is a red-shirt freshman who played tackle during spring drills and probably made the most improvement of any lineman from Practice One to Practice 15. He could see time at the center position.
Heading into the fall, the other number-twos on the depth chart are currently occupied by players who have yet to practice with the `Cats, including junior college transfer Crawford May.
With voids to fill and a large contingent of young players, Miller will focus on basics when the Bobcats open fall camp.
"The first thing we will talk about is `Who, How and Why,'" he said. "You have to get the who right first - we have to know who to block. Then we have to figure out how to do that. It doesn't matter where you go if you don't know how to do it. And finally, when you get good, then you start figuring out why you are doing things, what people around you are doing and how that affects everything within the system."
In addition to the gaps within Texas State's interior line, the Bobcats will play with inexperienced tight ends for the first time in the current coaching staff's tenure.
Texas State lost J.C. Kellam Award winner Randy Moshier as well as two other players who saw significant time at the tight end position.
With extended depth at defensive end, the `Cats have moved junior John Gilley across the line of scrimmage and he is projected as the starter at tight end this fall. A pair of red-shirt freshmen - Galen Dunk and John Ford - will push the former defensive lineman starting with preseason camp. Clay Wilson, a transfer from the Naval Academy's prep school, could also practice his way into the mix at tight end.
"Athletically, we are better than a year ago at tight end," Miller said. "But from accountability to production to experience, all things that make you a good football player, we're not anywhere close. We have conscientious, hard workers but they just lack the experience we had last year."
Texas State opens the 2006 season in less than two months when the Bobcats play host to Tarleton State Sept. 2. Season tickets are currently on sale through Texas State's athletic ticket office by calling (877) 798-CATS or locally in Central Texas at 245-2272.
