Zona Zealots
Fansided

Arizona Football Position Breakdown: The Offensive Line

By Eric Townsend

Oct 8, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Brandon Dawkins (13) and offensive lineman Jacob Alsadek (78) react to a touchdown by Dawkins during the first half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Brandon Dawkins (13) and offensive lineman Jacob Alsadek (78) react to a touchdown by Dawkins during the first half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Now officially in part three of the position breakdown, we try to analyze the Arizona Football offensive line, and how it looks heading into Spring Football into 2017.

With Spring Football upon us, we continue to analyze position, by position the Arizona Football roster. As we do our best to break down what that looks like for the Wildcats, next on this list is the offensive line.

More from Wildcats Football

First, we must note, that Freddie Tagaloa is really the only lineman moving on, and the Wildcats do return some players who saw action last year. That should bode well for a group that is just looking for stability.

The redshirt senior Jacob Alsadek will likely lead this group, along with savvy veterans like; Layth Friekh and Gerhard de Beer as well in helping anchor that line.

This is a position that struggled at times last year. As you may recall, center Zach Hemmila tragically passed away just weeks before the season started, and this group seemed a bit out of sorts in trying to gel and find stability from the start.

NCAA Football: Arizona at Utah
The 2017 season should stand to be a better year for the team if the offensive line can open some holes for their running backs and give more time for their quarterbacks to pass the ball. The Wildcats return four of five starters and bring guys like red shirt sophomore Alex Kosinski, red shirt freshmen Michael Eletise and Keenan Walker among others into the fold. /

It’s a group that on paper appears to be talented, and barring any major setbacks or injuries, they should take a major step forward this season.

Typically, the offensive line has been well-coached under head coach Rich Rodriguez, and we look for a return to normalcy in 2017.

Should this line play well, and create time for the quarterbacks and running backs, the offense can run like a well-oiled machine.

They have the ability to open holes, as Arizona led the entire Pac-12 in total rushing yards and rushing yard per game, predominantly from their quarterbacks. You could attribute it to our lackluster passing game, and even among our disastrous season, the Wildcats still showed they could move the ball on the ground well against all the odds.

One glaring thing from last season was the lack of a passing game. Regardless of who plays, Arizona has to give its quarterbacks ample time to throw the ball and to protect the quarterbacks making sure they don’t get sacked or injured. Also, the Wildcats could use a bit good fortune in keeping this group healthy.

Must Read: Arizona Football: Running back Zach green is Excited about the 2017 Season

Either way, we are confident in this group, and they should be talented and deep enough to be effective in 2017. Bear Down, Arizona!

Home/Wildcats Football