Dominic Espinosa Should Stabilize an Inexperienced Line
Dominic Espinosa has a big responsibility entering the 2014 season. The senior must help shape an inexperienced offensive line that is replacing three starters. In addition, a new coaching staff means learning a new blocking system. Someone needs to be the anchor.
Espinosa is the man for the job.
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The center is a two-time Rimington Award watch candidate. He has started every game for Texas the last three years (39). He was an honorable mention All-Big 12 player in 2013. Charlie Strong and Joe Wickline are blessed to have a veteran player like Espinosa manning one of the most important positions on the line. They will also appreciate the leadership he has shown on a line that – when you take Espinosa’s out – has a combined 10 college starts.
Tackle Kennedy Estelle has eight starts, all last season. Estelle did miss the Valero Alamo Bowl for academic reasons. He seems to be on the right track in class with a strong spring semester. Cedric Flowers and Kent Perkins each have started one game. Perkins suffered a knee injury in spring practice, but he should be available for the season opener. Desmond Harrison came to the Forty Acres last year with much fanfare. He struggled, however, when his practice time was derailed by an academic issue involving a class he took from BYU. He spent the season as a backup tackle. Taylor Doyle, Rami Hammond and Curtis Riser are all talented athletes, but they lack playing time on the big stage.
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To magnify the need for this group to gel quickly is the quarterback position. David Ash missed most of last season with concussion-related symptoms. Texas will want to minimize the hits Ash takes, and that job falls primarily on the shoulders of the big uglies up front. Pass protection will be the key to Ash staying healthy for a full season. If Ash goes down, the job will fall to either true freshman Jerrod Heard, or sophomore Tyrone Swoopes. Both would need time in pocket to go through their reads, perhaps a little longer than a veteran college quarterback might require. Again, pass protection is paramount.
In addition to protecting the quarterback, Espinosa and his mates will need to open up running lanes for Malcolm Brown, Johnathan Gray and Joe Bergeron. The running game will be Texas’ best friend this fall. It all starts up front with strong blocking. This is where having a center who has started 39 straight games comes in handy. Espinosa will handle all the line calls, leaving the other linemen free to focus on executing his assignment. This should be helpful for the young guys early in the season.
The success of the 2014 campaign may rest on the shoulders off Espinosa. All indications are he is up to the challenge.