Dissecting the depth chart, pt. IV: OL

The fourth entry in our eight-part positional breakdown focuses on the Wolfpack’s rebuilt offensive line. Last week, we discussed quarterbacks, running backs and receivers. The d-line is up later today, with the rest of the defense and special teams following later this week.

Credit: ETHAN HYMAN - EHYMAN@NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Pos	Player	Ht/Wt	Class	Starts	Notes
Projected Starters
LT	Jake Vermiglio	6-6, 220	Jr	20	Started 3 as Tr Fr (’07), leg inj. (’09) missed two games
LG	Andrew Wallace	6-5, 299	RS So	2	Both starts in ’09 at LT
C	Camden Wentz	6-3, 290	So	0	Played in five games (’09), #13 C per Scout.com
RG	Zach Allen	6-3, 314	So	0	Played both G and T last season as reserve
RT	Mikel Overgaard	6-6, 280	RS Jr	0	Orig. walk-on TE at Wash St., transf. from JuCo in Utah
Reserves
C	Torian Box	6-3, 295	Fr	0	Played LG/RG/C in HS, #15 C per Rivals.com
OL	Tyson Chandler	6-6, 340	Fr	0	Converted DT, spent ’09 at Fork Union Military Academy
C	Wayne Crawford	6-3, 303	RS Jr	0	1 GP (’09), 6 GP (’08), converted DT
T	Robert Crisp	6-7, 299	Fr	0	Five-star recruit, top-5 tackle nationally, could win job
T	Duran Cristophe	6-6, 287	RS Fr	0	Three-star recruit (Scout.com/Rivals.com)
G	Gary Gregory	6-4, 325	RS Sr	0	4 GP (’09), missed spring practice
T	Sam Jones	6-7, 321	RS Fr	0	Played G and T at Hargrave in ’09
G	Henry Lawson	6-3, 290	RS Jr	0	Played line in two games (’08), 25 GP on ST
RG	R.J. Mattes	6-6, 303	RS So	8	Tore ACL v. FSU in ’09, expected back mid-September

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The 2009 Wolfpack offensive line was built around several veteran players. LG Julian Williams, C Ted Larsen and RT Jeraill McCuller — all seniors — were, if nothing else, dependable, combining for just one missed start. But joined by sophomore LT Jake Vermiglio and RG R.J. Mattes and Andy Barbee, the group failed to improve much on middling 2008 numbers. Rushing offense in ’09 held steady at 120 ypg (87th nationally) and sacks allowed per game numbers increased to an even 2.0 (53rd).

With everyone from the preceding paragraph not named Vermiglio unavailable for the opener at Western Carolina, Tom O’Brien has no problem admitting that the arrangement of the line is, as of now, to be determined. Replacing three veteran starters on the line is never an easy task, but it’s made even more difficult when injuries and dismissals add to the the attrition. The very hush-hush booting of four-star guard Denzelle Good last week plus the injury to R.J. Mattes puts a lot of names in the hat for O’Brien.

The hinge on which the entire lineup swings is the recovery of sophomore right guard R.J. Mattes. Mattes, who went down with an ACL tear and missed the last four games of 2009, is expected back by the second or third game and should retake his starting role despite missing nearly a year.

But in the opener, expect to see a lot players rotated in. Unless much changes between now and September 4, the starting five should be what’s listed above. The guy probably getting the longest look in that game will be top recruit Robert Crisp. O’Brien and others have raved about his physical skills in camp, saying it’s the mental adjustments that he’s working on most. Expect Crisp to spend time on the field with both the first and second-team offense. With his primary position of left tackle occupied by the only experienced lineman in Vermiglio, little has been said about whether Crisp can make the move to the other side — but it’s a move that may be necessitated by O’Brien’s desire to line up the best five guys.