Purdue football position breakdown: Experience, depth highlight offensive line

WEST LAFAYETTE – This is the sixth in a series breaking down each Purdue position group heading into the 2022 season.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Familiar faces

Gus Hartwig (Jr., 16 starts, 19 games); Josh Kaltenberger (RS-sophomore); Marcus Mbow (So., 4 games); Mahamane Moussa (So., 4 games); Cam Craig (RS-junior, 2 starts, 13 games); Zach Richards (So.); Nalin Fox (RS-sophomore); Eric Miller (RS-senior, 15 starts, 30 games); Spencer Holstege (RS-junior, 19 games, 18 starts)

New faces

Sione Finau (Sr., 14 starts, 20 games at Florida International); Daniel Johnson (RS-Senior, 7 starts, 10 games at Kent State); Malachi Preciado (Fr.), Vince Carpenter (Fr.), Andre Oben (Fr.); Cross Watson (Fr.).

The skinny

The Boilermakers have assembled plenty of game experience on the offensive line going into the 2022 season. Four of the projected five starters have started at least two games and two others – Finau and Johnson – have experience at other programs. Last season, Purdue leaned on five or six linemen to carry the load, but more depth is available this year and assistant coach Dale Williams and head coach Jeff Brohm need to utilize the extra bodies. Not all sacks fall on the offensive line and it’s more a shared responsibility between everyone but saying that, the Boilermakers allowed 29 last season. It’s the most in a full season since 2018. The group actually held up in pass protection but owning the line of scrimmage in the run game is a priority.

Purdue football position breakdown: More threats give running game chance to shine

3 questions

▶ Can the line lift up the running game? Again, don’t expect 200 rushing yards but look for better execution in short-yardage situations to judge success on the ground.

▶ How much will the two transfers – Finau and Johnson – play? Should be a lot, even though neither is earmarked to start three weeks before the opener. That could easily change with Finau, who is getting more work at right guard.

▶ Is this the best offensive line during the Brohm era? On paper, it has a chance based on experience and additional bodies through the transfer portal and development. Check back at the end of the season.

What to like

The left side of the line with Miller, Holstege and Hartwig is a strength, and the Boilermakers will likely use those three to generate a rushing attack. The depth only works if Williams and Brohm are committed to a rotation of eight or nine players. The experience is certainly there and the desire to take control of the line of scrimmage gives this group a running start.

Biggest concern

Keeping the top group healthy. While Purdue has depth, the backups lack experience. The right side of the line has more questions and holding up at tackle is one of them. Craig receives the first opportunity at right tackle to keep quarterback Aidan O’Connell from needing to scramble. Purdue must generate more rushing yards to keep defenses honest.

Purdue football position breakdown: Plenty of options on defensive line

By the number

72: Combined starts by Hartwig, Holstege, Miller, Craig, Finau and Johnson.

Quote

“Well, I would hope that I can have some more bodies rotating in there because we’ve got a lot more guys to help us out. I know we have competition. The first team comes back and says, ‘Man, I better keep it up because I got competition. If I don't have competition, I can just relax.’ I think we've got some competition. We'll see how it goes but I anticipate having a few more guys.”

Williams on the depth of the offensive line

Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier and USA Today Network. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football offensive line highlighted by experience, depth