2022 Preview: Offensive Line

RETURNERS: Ethan Hagler, Moses Johnson, D'Ary Patton, Seth Kohlscheen, Jalen North, Noah Barboza, Anthony Turrubiartes, Daniel Melendez, Trevor Jaks, CJ Marsh
NEWCOMERS: Wade Willet, Jordan Boatman, James Dawn III, Khail Miller, Keaton Altman, Jihad Lateef, Orion Irving, Ethan Vazquez

HUNTSVILLE — Over the years Sam Houston has displayed an explosive offense under head coach KC Keeler.

The Bearkats have done a solid job balancing things with a high octane passing game and complimentary rushing attack that saw Sam Houston go 21-1 over the last two seasons and winning the program's first FCS national championships.

Last season, the Kats averaged more than 490 yards of total offense, 228 on the ground and 262 passing per game. It all started with a solid group of offensive linemen up front.

Sam Houston has to rebuild that unit with only one starter coming back. The Bearkats are also learning a new system under first-year offensive coordinator John Perry, but so far this fall camp, things have been on the right track according to new offensive line coach Cooper Bassett.

"I think we are coming together," Bassett said. "We are understanding the nuances that Coach Perry wants done offensively. I love the fact they are asking good questions, are attentive in meetings. We are taking stuff from the classroom and putting it together on the field and they are really getting a good feel for it."

The Bearkats have a solid mixture of returning players and new faces who Bassett said have been coming together.

Junior Ethan Hagler headlines the veterans heading into the season. He was a second-team All-Southland Conference selection during the FCS national championship run and was second team All-WAC last season.

He is the only returning starter of last season's 11-1 squad that won the WAC and advanced to the quarterfinals of the playoffs.

"Overall, camp has been going good with the new offense," Hagler said. "We are still working out some of the kinks, but it has been smooth. I'm really happy with the improvement the offensive line has made. A bunch of the new guys that have come in are catching up quick. We always talk about the standard is the standard and a lot of the new guys are even helping us raise our standard, so it is good to see that. Some of the young freshmen are out hear balling and it is nice to see them playing hard too."

Despite one starter coming back from last year's squad, Sam Houston boasts plenty of talent up front.

Some of the guys Bassett mentioned that were having a strong camp include redshirt freshman D'Ary Patton, redshirt senior Moses Johnson, Cal Poly transfer Wade Willet, Houston transfer Jordan Boatman, redshirt sophomore Seth Kohlscheen, redshirt sophomore Jalen North, true freshmen James Dawn III, Orion Irving and Jihad Lateef, McNeese transfer Keaton Altman, Davidson transfer Khalil Miller and redshirt freshman CJ Marsh.

Patton took a redshirt last season but started nine games as a true freshman when the Kats won the FCS national championship in the spring of 2021.

Johnson converted from the defensive line to the offensive prior to the 2019 season and played in seven games during the 2021 spring season including three starts at right tackle. He played in 10 games last fall.

Willet started 19 games for Cal Poly during his career. He helped the Mustangs finish in the top 10 in the nation in time of possession and rushing yard multiple times.

Boatman played in 26 games for the Cougars during his career at Houston. He earned a start against Hawaii in the 2020 New Mexico Bowl.

Miller is a two-time All-Pioneer Football League selection. He started 18 games for Davidson.

Bassett said they are working together and have displayed the tools needed to be a "very physical" group up front.

"We have boiled it down, we are going to protect and punish," Bassett said. "We are the only position in all of sports that records zero statistics, play typically with our back to the ball and our job is to protect people. We have to keep our quarterback clean. We have to eliminate negative plays. We are kind of the erasers. We are the insurance policy and we make sure bad things don't happen so good things can happen downfield."

2022 Preview: Offensive Line

Players Mentioned

Keaton Altman

Noah Barboza

Jordan Boatman

James Dawn II

Ethan Hagler

Orion Irving

Trevor Jaks

Moses Johnson

Seth Kohlscheen

Jihad Lateef

CJ Marsh

Daniel Melendez

Khalil Miller

Jalen North

D'Ary Patton

Anthony Turrubiartes

Ethan Vazquez

Wade Willet

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