Louisville Football Recruiting Outlook: Offensive Line

I set out to write a simple post on recruiting for the upcoming class but I also wanted to do a mock depth chart because those are always fun. So what I ended up doing is a general outlook on current commits, potential commits, and what each position group should look like next year. I’m far from one of the recruiting guys that communicates recruits and all of that so I won’t offer up predictions. However, I think I do a pretty good job of evaluating players, so I threw my opinion in on some of the recruits. This series will cover every position group outside of special teams. Recruits are linked to their 247 profile, which is the site I use for any recruiting.

Disclaimer: The depth chart as well as position changes are just my guess or what I would like to see. There’s no way to know how these things will shake out.

WHO’S COMING BACK

Lukayus McNeil

Geron Christian

Kenny Thomas

Danny Burns

Linwood Foy

Nathan Scheler

Robbie Bell

Mekhi Becton

Caleb Chandler

Cole Bentley

WHO’S COMING IN

Tyler Steen

Adonis Boone

Both of the offensive linemen in the class are bottom of the class guys that Louisville will try to develop for a year or two before they need them to contribute. Offensive line is always hard to evaluate but I had hoped that UofL would be able to bring in a few guys with better offer lists than these two. They did well with the guys they brought in last year but they will be losing a handful of guys after next year and they need a couple of sure bet guys that can get in the two-deep immediately.

POTENTIAL COMMITS

Tank Jenkins

Louisville has seemingly been at the top of Jenkins’ list since this summer but not much has happened in his recruitment since then. Tank would be the biggest offensive line commitment that I can think of for UofL. He has offers from every top SEC school save Alabama, but he got most of his offers two years ago. That might be a factor in why things seem to be moving slow with him.

DEPTH CHART

Tackle

Geron Christian

Linwood Foy

Tackle

Mekhi Becton

Danny Burns

Guard

Kenny Thomas

Cole Bentley

Guard

Lukayus McNeil

Caleb Chandler

Center

Robbie Bell

Nathan Scheler

OUTLOOK

Louisville’s offensive line should look exactly the same next season. Before the season started, I expect McNeil and possibly Christian could leave early but neither has played well enough to make that happen. McNeil said that he was hoping to go pro after last season to help his family but decided to come back, so he might make the jump anyway.

The line has been better this year but they could actually become a strength next season with a full season and spring together. Playing next to the same guys for a full year with no changes can be huge for an offensive line. Communication improves and coaching is easier because Mike Summers isn’t trying to get everyone on the same page anymore.