by John Lock- Associate Sports Information Director, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
CARBONDALE, IL – The Southern Illinois football team returns a deep and experienced group of offensive linemen in 2017. The unheralded unit has been key in SIU leading the league in total offense in each of the last two seasons.
“There’s a lot of experience coming back,” head coach Nick Hill said. “Seven or eight guys have played a lot of football for us, and those younger guys have taken that step forward. They’re really pushing for starting spots, or pushing people to get better. The first five have to bring it every day, or there’s someone there to take their spot.”
Eight players–Ben Bailey, Ernest Dye Jr., Aaron Harris, Jacob Marnin, Austin Olsen, Josh Podzielinski, and DeVondre Seymour–have all started games for SIU on the offensive line, so even without Reid Sealby, who started all 11 games last season, SIU has as much experience on the offensive line as anyone in the MVFC.
In pass protection, last year’s offensive line showed dramatic improvement throughout the year. In the first seven games, SIU allowed 24 sacks. In the final four games under offensive line coach Trevor Olson, SIU allowed just five sacks.
“Coach Olson is one of the best young offensive line coaches in the country,” Hill said. “He played the position 54 starts in a row–played an entire season with a broken wrist and didn’t miss a game. Personally, I sit in on his meetings probably more than any position group because that’s where it starts. I learn things from Trevor.”
When the line got going at the end of the year, the Salukis got going. SIU won two of its last three games and averaged 536 yards per game over than final three-game stretch. Especially impressive: facing a Youngstown State defense that was allowing only 280 yards per game, the Salukis put up 301 yards in the second half alone.
“It’s always a transition,” Olson said. “We were patient as we went along, and they got the hang of it. Now, it’s year two. We have to go right away.”
Southern Illinois has one of the best tackle tandems in the country. Austin Olsen has started 22-straight games at left tackle and is a preseason All-MVFC pick. DeVondre Seymour took over at right tackle halfway through last year. Now, they have switched, with Seymour at left tackle and Olsen at right tackle where they are more comfortable. They both have great size (Olsen is 6-5, 320 and Seymour is 6-6, 305), and both have NFL scouts watching them.
“This is the best he’s been,” Hill said of Seymour “I don’t know if there’s a more improved player since he’s been here. With his body and his conditioning, he’s ready to play a Division I season. Physically, he’s as gifted as anybody.”
In the interior line, Jacob Marnin started all 11 games at center. Josh Podzielinski started seven games at guard, and Ernest Dye Jr., whose father played in the NFL as an offensive lineman, started three games late in the season.
“We have guys pushing them, too.” Olson said. “It’s not like anything is being given to them. Ben (Bailey) has played a bunch. Wags (Bryce Wagner) has done great things in practice. Graham (Lawrence) is pushing those guys, too. It’s a very competitive room for those five spots.”
In the high-scoring Saluki offense, the offensive line gets the least amount of credit–and that’s just fine with them. They’ve adopted the mentality of Coach Olson.
“Come to work every day. Don’t let anything phase you,” Olson said. “We don’t get any glamour. It’s about putting your nose to the grindstone, and working each day to get better.”
Speak Your Mind
You must be logged in to post a comment.