TCU position preview: Experienced offensive line brings optimism
The Star-Telegram takes a look at the 2016 TCU football team position-by-position as the season approaches. The first game is at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 vs. South Dakota State at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
If it indeed all starts up front, as they say, then TCU probably has reason for optimism.
The Horned Frogs’ offensive line will be a fairly experienced group — more than it appears on paper. All five have a start in their TCU careers, although only left tackle Joseph Noteboom was a season-long starter last year. Combined, the Frogs have 46 starts’ worth of experience with the first five. What they spent fall camp trying to do was find the next five.
The personnel
Starters
Left tackle: Joseph Noteboom (6-5, 315, Jr.), 11 starts last season at right tackle and two at left tackle.
Left guard: Patrick Morris (6-3, 300, Jr.), one start in 2013 against SMU.
Center: Austin Schlottman (6-6, 300, Jr)., started the last four games last season, at right guard against Kansas and center against Oklahoma, Baylor and Oregon.
Right guard: Matt Pryor (6-7, 350, Jr). made his first career starts last year, two at left tackle, two at left guard and one at right guard last year.
Right tackle: Aviante Collins (6-6, 305, Sr.), a 13-game starter as a freshman who has been slowed by injuries.
Primary backups
Freshman tackle Lucas Niang (6-6, 295), junior center Garrett Altman (6-4, 272), right tackle David Bolisomi (6-6, 315).
I think he’s one of the best in the Big 12. I haven’t played against much better than he is. He’s really good. Really good. He was really good at the end of the year last year. He’s just realy good.
TCU coach Gary Patterson
on center Austin SchlottmanI think we can be a really strong unit. I think we have the potential to be just as good as any other year.
TCU center Austin Schlottman
Final analysis
This has the makings of one of the best units on the team. There is experience and size, and Austin Schlottman appears to be ready to follow in the footsteps of outstanding TCU centers Jake Kirkpatrick and Joey Hunt. But depth was a concern for the Horned Frogs coming out of the spring, and the issue became heightened when Patterson announced that reserve tackles Trey Elliott and Bryson Henderson would miss the season. Two of last season’s starting five failed to finish the season, and two others missed at least one game. But the Frogs identified their starting five early in spring practice. If they have found their backup center, guard and tackle, they can feel good about this position group.
Carlos Mendez: 817-390-7760, @calexmendez
TCU vs. South Dakota State
7 p.m. Sept. 3, Amon G. Carter Stadium
This story was originally published August 18, 2016 at 1:11 PM with the headline "TCU position preview: Experienced offensive line brings optimism."