It all starts up front for offense
Even with two starters departing, Cougars emphasizing ‘stability and continuity’ on the line
For the first two seasons under coach Dana Holgorsen, the University of Houston rolled out a different offensive line combination every week.
Twenty games. Twenty different lineups.
The lack of continuity up front showed as the Cougars struggled with everything from pass protection to run blocking.
That all changed last season. UH started the same offensive linemen in all 14 games as the Cougars won 12 games, reached the American Athletic Conference championship game and won a bowl for the first time since 2015.
“Very seldom does that happen to be able to start the same five,” UH offensive line coach/running game coordinator Brandon Jones said. “I don’t think that had happened in my coaching career.”
As the Cougars prepare to begin the season Sept. 3 at UTSA, the offensive line will again be front and center to the team’s success.
There will be a couple of new faces with the graduation of center Kody Russey and right tackle Dennis Bardwell. But thanks to development and the transfer portal, Holgorsen can see a change from past seasons.
For starters, quarterback Clayton Tune enters his fourth season as the starter. Not only do the Cougars have options at many of the offensive line spots, but the depth also continues to vastly improve. Without the constant changes up front, the Cougars made a big jump offensively last season, averaging 35.9 points and 271.6 passing yards, both among the top 25 nationally.
“Stability and continuity are important,” Holgorsen said. “Being in the same system with the same guy leading the charge is important.”
As preseason camp opened Thursday, UH appears set at four of the offensive line positions. There is an open competition at right tackle between Reuben Unije, who started six games at left tackle in 2020, and transfers Tyler Johnson (Texas) and Lance Robinson (Middle Tennessee State).
Johnson (6-foot-5, 320 pounds) is a former fourstar recruit in the 2019 class who spent three seasons with the Longhorns. Robinson (6-2, 290), who started 12 games at right tackle last season, can play multiple positions and has three years of eligibility remaining.
“We’ve got to figure out who the top five (offensive linemen) are then build continuity,” Holgorsen said. “But also, get to where you’ve got the sixth guy ready to go, the backup center ready to go, a swing tackle ready to go so you’ve got your top eight.”
Patrick Paul, a 6-foot-7, 310-pound, third-year sophomore, anchors the offensive line at left tackle. Paul, who has started 19 games in his career, was a first-team All-AAC selection last season and is on the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, which honors the nation’s top interior lineman.
Cam’Ron Johnson (6-4, 305) is expected to start at left guard after seeing action on 90 percent of the snaps the final eight games. Tank Jenkins (6-3, 320) is a returning starter at right guard.
A starter in 2020, center Jack Freeman (6-3, 300) moved to backup role behind Russey, a veteran who transferred from Louisiana Tech for his final season. That allowed Freeman to learn and develop.
With strong spring performances from Freeman and true freshman Demetrius Hunter (6-2, 300), the No. 2 center nationally in the 2022 class, Holgorsen opted to stand pat and not add another center during the offseason. “I think Jack was by far one of our most improved players this spring,” Jones said.
Hunter, whose nickname is “Pancake,” as in blocks, offers an intriguing possibility for the Cougars. UH beat out several Power Five schools for Hunter, who was once committed to Oklahoma. In most cases, a true freshman would need time to develop on the offensive line, but given Hunter’s skill set, he is expected to challenge for meaningful playing time.
“He’s as good as advertised.” Jones said. “He’s got an extremely bright future.”
Asked if Hunter being a freshman has meant bringing him along slowly, Jones added: “I poured it all on him (in spring practice). He’s an extremely intelligent kid, really smart. He spends a lot of time watching film. He’s one of those kids that’s self-motivated.”
If the season began today, the Cougars’ fiveman front would average 6-foot-4 and 308 pounds.
At the backup spots, Jones said Trevonte Sylvester (6-5, 285), a converted tight end, is working at left tackle, and Ugonna Nnanna (6-4, 300) can play left or right tackle.
“If we can say healthy, we have some depth, quality depth, some pieces so if someone goes down it’s the next-manup mentality,” Jones said.