2023 Between the Trenches - UNLV Rebels

[subsequent]

Today, I want to talk a little about UNLV's offensive line going into the 2023 season and beyond. Coach @ChizDippler has invested heavily in the run game, and I think we are going to see a very interesting unit blocking up front this year.

 

Last year, UNLV had one of the more efficient offensive lines in the country, allowing quarterback Pedro Holland ample time to throw the ball and gave the running backs decent holes to run through.

 

2022 UNLV Offensive Line Stats

 

6 sacks allowed, T-9 fewest

1942 rush yards, 58th most

12 rushing TDs, T-65th most

 

2022 UNLV Offensive Line Player Stats

 

Games	Name	Year	Team	Position	Archetype	Pancakes	Sacks Allowed
12	Damien Knebel	Sr	UNLV	OT	Run Blocking	14	2
12	Kenneth Phillips	Jr	UNLV	OT	Run Blocking	9	2
12	Walt Stephen	Jr	UNLV	C	Pass Blocking	1	0
12	Darius Rondon	Jr	UNLV	OG	Pass Blocking	1	1

 

As a unit, their only major loss is OT Damien Knebel.

 

2022 UNLV Offensive Line Graduates

 

First Name	Last Name	Position	Archetype	Age	Stars	Overall	Football IQ	Agility	Strength	Pass Block	Run Block	Stamina	Injury	Potential Grade	Pancakes	Sacks Allowed
Damien	Knebel	OT	Run Blocking	22	4	B+	A+	A+	A+	B	A+	D+	C-	B	14	2
Calais	Malveaux	C	Pass Blocking	22	3	D	C	C+	B+	A	C	C-	B	C	DNP	DNP

 

2023 UNLV Offensive Line Corps

 

In 2023, the team brings a wealth of options and can go in many different ways in terms of how they want to build the line.

 

First Name	Last Name	Position	Archetype	Year	Stars	Overall	Football IQ	Agility	Strength	Pass Block	Run Block	Stamina	Injury	Potential Grade	Redshirt Status
Walt	Stephen	C	Pass Blocking	Sr	4	A	B-	A	A+	A	B	C	B	C
Kenneth	Phillips	OT	Run Blocking	Sr	4	A	B+	A	A+	C-	A	D+	D-	D
Darius	Rondon	OG	Pass Blocking	Sr	3	B+	B	B	A-	B	C	C-	C-	B+
Garrett	Witherspoon	C	Run Blocking	(So)	4	B+	C+	A-	B	C	B+	C-	C	B	Redshirt
Dan	Edwards	OT	Run Blocking	(So)	3	B+	C	C	C+	C-	B+	C+	B+	C+	Redshirt
Mike	Witherspoon	OT	Pass Blocking	(Jr)	2	B	C	C-	B	B	D+	C	C-	A+	Redshirt
Jahlil	Jones	OT	Run Blocking	(Fr)	4	B	C	C	C	D	B	B	B	C	Redshirt
David	Lowery	OG	Run Blocking	Fr	4	B	C	C	C	D	B	C	D	C+
Mike	Williams	OG	Pass Blocking	Jr	3	B-	C	C-	C+	B-	D+	D-	B+	C-
Arrion	Lowry	OG	Run Blocking	(Fr)	4	B	C	B	C	D	B	C	B	C-	Redshirt
Peter	Ahlstrom	OG	Run Blocking	Fr	4	B	D	C	D	D	B	C	B	C
Vincent	Singleton	OT	Run Blocking	So	3	B	D	D	D	D	B	C	F	B
Herman	Cheeks	OT	Run Blocking	Fr	4	B	C	B	D	F	C	C	B	C
Daryl	Vargas	OT	Run Blocking	Jr	2	C+	C-	D+	C-	D-	C+	B	B	B+
Ramon	Shepherd	OT	Run Blocking	So	3	C	D	D	D	D	C	C	F	B+
Corey	Burdi	OG	Run Blocking	So	3	C	D	D	D	F	B	C	F	B-
Tim	Ryan	OG	Run Blocking	Jr	2	C+	D+	D+	D+	D-	C+	D	B+	C+
Thomas	Richards	OT	Run Blocking	Fr	3	C	F	D	D	F	C	D	D	D+
Anthony	Whitley	OG	Run Blocking	Fr	2	C	F	F	F	F	D	C	D	C
Jesse	Vela	C	Run Blocking	Fr	2	D	D	F	F	F	D	F	D	B

 

Offensive Line Starters and Players to Watch

 

Center Walt Stephens will definitely feature in as many plays as he can play. An absolute monster, Stephens had a quieter junior year but is projected to break out in his final season as a Rebel. With great quickness and strength to match, he should have the start secured.

 

Saying that, behind him is an incredible talent in Garrett Witherspoon. The sophomore saw no time last year, but feature as the reserve for Stephens at center. He might even get some time at guard as well.

 

Speaking of Witherspoon, we would be remiss to not mention Garrett's older brother. Mike is a talented redshirt junior OT. He suffers from poor run blocking abilities thanks to his lower agility, but expect to see him make the field for some crucial passing situations.

 

David Lowery is another name that UNLV fans should start getting used to. While he does have some more work to do before he can be a consistent starter, we expect to see him in run packages as his B run blocking will be a welcome sign for him. As a true freshman, there is a lot of room for him to grow. The same can be said for some of the other true freshman oin the team. Herman Cheeks and Arrion Lowry (no relation) may also take a redshirt this year and fight for a starting spot next year.

 

The UNLV team is filled with run blocking offensive line men, and it's not a mystery why. QB Luke Young is a talented scrambler who will be able to break tackles and make defenders miss and a cast of four (yes, you read that correctly) RBs with B or higher OVR will help this team run the ball up the gut, around the outside, and between tackles.

 

Analysis

 

It's going to be a pretty interesting offensive for UNLV this year. We expect UNLV to have a run-heavy offensive given how strongly this offensive line will perform in run situations. Saying that, the team also has a very strong WR and TE corps. It's very possible UNLV experiments with Luke Young, the scrambler, instead of the senior Jorge Worley, the pocket QB, and gives Young the greenlight to make decisions on the fly whether to run the ball or throw it to one of the talented WRs or TEs lined up. Kind of a "passing or running options" offensive, if you will. It is to be expected that this offensive line continues its tradition of keeping the QB safe, and the run game will likely take a few steps forward compared to last year.

 

Prediction

 

Top 20 in sacks allowed

Top 25 in rush yards

Top 25 in rushing TDs