Position Coach: Mike Goff
Key Players lost from 2018: None
Key Players in 2019: Seth Joest, Jordan Meredith, Miles Pate, Cole Spencer, Tyler Witt
Key Players losing in 2020: Miles Pate
2019 EVALUATION:
To get an idea of just how effective and how much of a difference the 2019 WKU OL unit made on the Hilltoppers season, lets start with some numbers.
From 2018 to 2019 the WKU offense saw an increase in roughly every offensive statistical category.
In 2018, the Hilltoppers gained a total of 251 first downs on the season averaging just under 364 total yards per game. In 2019, both of these numbers increased to 267 first downs and just under 388 total yards per game.
The correlation is simple. All five starters on the offensive line returned for WKU in 2019.
The biggest improvement for this group without a doubt came in the area of pass protection. Having a consistent, game-changeing signal caller under center like Ty Storey certainly helped lead the offensive line.
In 2018, the WKU passing game averaged just under 227 yards through the air, totaling out to a little above 2,700 yards passing. In 2019, these greatly increased to just below 260 yards per game and about 3,400 yards passing.
While the numbers don't lie, it's also easy to see how veterans won the battle of the trenches more often than not for WKU in 2019. Senior Miles Pate, and juniors Seth Joest, Jordan Meredith, and Tyler Witt anchored down the front five all season long.
Upperclassmen leadership was key with this group, but one can't deny the consistency overall. Very few teams in FBS Football can say they returned all five starting offensive lineman.
With returning 2018, starter sophomore Cole Spencer rounding out this unit, offensive line coach Mike Goff was very pleased with what he had to work with this past season.
If numbers and consistency still don't have you sold on this position group, then maybe Pro Football Focus will.
PFF ranked all 130 NCAA Division 1 FBS offensive line units in 2019 and WKU ranked 20th on that list. Four of WKU's seven highest graded players by PFF were offensive lineman.
Pro Football Focus specifically grades pass blocking and run blocking and in the area of pass blocking WKU ranked first in pass blocking grade as a team, surrendering QB pressure on just below 13% of pass blocking snaps, the eighth lowest percentage in FBS.
2020 PREVIEW:
The 2020 outlook for this position group is very similar to the outlook going in 2019. Four starters return.
With just Miles Pate leaving due to graduation, WKU will return three seniors and one junior from their 2019 starting front five.
Aside from the starters, WKU returns a plethora of upside and upperclassmen to add to their effectiveness in 2020.
Senior in-state product Bryce Chandler returns. Juniors Mason Brooks, Bryson Canada, Garrett Nickelson, and Woodford Langford will look to also push for the final starting spot this upcoming season.
If the Hilltoppers do decide to go in a younger direction, underclassmen talent is plentiful as well. Sophomores Rusty Staats, Daylen Powell, Jack Randolph, Wes Dorsey and Gunner Britton all return.
The Hilltoppers also added four offensive lineman to their 2020 signing class.
Mark Goode and Colt Jackson were two of the most impressive OL prospects in Kentucky this recruiting season. WKU also added Georgia products Wesley Horton and Quantavious Leslie to round out their group of incoming freshman offensive lineman.
