LaVell Edwards, an all-conference center during his playing days at Utah State, knows linemen are the unsung heroes of an offensive football team. Over the years - while Jim McMahon, Steve Young, Robbie Bosco, Ty Detmer and the others have been setting passing records and earning praise - BYU's offensive linemen have been quietly making it all possible.
While BYU has been called a quarterback factory, a number of ex-Cougar offensive linemen have gone on to play professionally including Bart Oates, Trevor Matich, Moe Elowonibi and Scott Brumfield. The Cougs have had some outstanding lines protecting their quarterbacks over the years, but Edwards doesn't feel the '94 version needs to take a backseat to any of them."Our offensive line should be one of our strengths," Edwards said. "We have a good nucleus and experience. This group ranks right up there with any we've had over the years, but it's critical that we're able to keep them healthy."
Starters in three of the five positions return and four of the five projected starters are seniors. The backups lack game experience, but have plenty of size and potential.
The Cougar offensive lines are generally among the biggest, or are the biggest, in the WAC and this year should be no different. They are enough to make the owner of the Provo Chuck-A-Rama shudder.
The Cougs are led by senior right tackle Eli Herring (6-6, 335 pounds) and senior right guard Evan Pilgrim (6-5, 285). Both were honorable mention all-WAC last season.
The third returning starter is Jim Edwards (6-4, 275), who was a guard last season, but will be taking over the center position from Ron Simmons, who graduated. Tim Hanshaw (6-5, 285), a two-year letterman who started in three games last season, is the fourth senior slated to start. He'll be the left guard. Elias Faupula (6-3, 275), a junior college transfer who redshirted at BYU last year, is fighting to be the starter at left tackle.
William Knight, a junior college transfer, (6-8, 350) is the largest of the Cougar lineman. He should see plenty of action. Jason Andersen (6-5, 305, soph.), Nathan Gibbs (6-2, 265, sr.) and Morris Unatoa (6-3, 260, jr.) will add depth.
Last year, especially early in the season, BYU quarterback John Walsh was being sacked with regularity, but the offensive line made improvement in its pass blocking as the season progressed. Run blocking will be equally important this season as the Cougs look to re-establish a rushing attack.
When compared with the rest of the WAC, the Cougar offensive line should be above average.