A Cowboy lineman has been selected on NFL draft day for the past two years. This year, OSU must replace Corey Hilliard, who was drafted in the sixth round by the New England Patriots.
The offensive line is one of the strongest units on the OSU football team.
The leader of the offensive line this year is junior center David Washington.
The center is a pivotal part of the Cowboys’ offense. Coach Mike Gundy said it is a huge asset to have Washington as a leader of the offensive line.
“He should be a mature player for us this year and really do a great job of setting all the points in the running game and passing game,” Gundy said. “The center has to be a sharp player in this offense and so his experience should be a really nice weapon for us.”
Fellow lineman Russell Okung said Washington’s play has a positive impact on the team.
“If it wasn’t for big Dave, (we would have had) sacks all over the field last year,” Okung said. “Dave knows pretty much what everyone is supposed to do. If I say who the leader of the offensive line is, it would have to be Dave. Just because of his knowledge and his awareness of what’s going around on the field. He’s pretty much directs us all, right before the pre-snap.”
Although Okung played right guard in 2006 but will move to the left side this year. He started the final eight games last season in which the offense averaged 19 more yards per game, including three games against top-25 opponents.
Senior David Koenig will take Okung’s previous spot at right guard.
Like Washington, Koenig provides leadership and has the most experience coming into the 2007 season. Koenig has started in 27 consecutive games and he received honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2006.
Brady Bond will be the starting right tackle. Bond started the first five games last year as a true freshman and has worked hard to regain the starting right tackle position.
Andrew Lewis will start at left guard and has enjoyed a great summer camp to win the starting position. Although he has never started, he has seen playing time before .
The offense is powerful and explosive and the men in the trenches are major contributors, which could mean the Cowboys will have another spot to fill next year.
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