43 Days The Offensive Line
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2022 5:32 am
There are 13 returning offensive lineman on the roster with 3 new ones added in this recruiting class. Also, 2 of the new lineman were already enrolled in the spring. Here is Brian J. Pedersen's breakdown from AZDS:
Starters: Josh Baker (Soph.), Josh Donovan (RS-Sr.), Paiton Fears (RS-Sr.), Jordan Morgan (Jr.), Jonah Savaiinaea (Fr.)
Backups: Joe Borjon (Soph.), Davis DiVall (RS-Fr.), JT Hand (RS-Fr.), Sam Langi (RS-Jr.)
Will also play: Woody Jean (RS-Fr.)
The first-team line that was together in the spring comprised 80 percent of what should be Arizona’s starting front five, the exception being at center. Assuming Baker can come back from a pectoral injury that kept him on the sidelines in March and April he will be the starting center. If not, Hand will slide into the role he handled adeptly in spring.
Hand, Borjon and DiVall will be the first ones rotating in, mostly at guard, where Donovan is the most injury-prone and Savaiinaea has the least experience but didn’t look like a true freshman during the spring.
Arizona has 14 scholarship offensive linemen, so others like Missouri/New Mexico transfer Jack Buford—if he’s eligible after a second transfer—and Shontrail Key most likely to play on special teams. The Wildcats could add another experienced blocker from the portal this summer.