ODUSports.com will preview spring football the next few weeks and do a position-by-position breakdown of the Monarchs' roster. Today we preview the Monarch offensive line.
Offensive Line (12)
Hunter Sosebee
Nick Clarke
Jean-Luc Childs
Troy Butler
Devin Hannan
Chad Hendricks
Tony Barnett
Eric Hampson
Tyler Compton
Manny Matiarena
Darius Garcia
Cullen Casey
2016 Signees (3)
Andrew Lawson
T.J. Storment
Isaac Weaver
Offensive Line Preview: The Monarchs lost two starters from the 2015 offensive line but return five players that started at least two games. Troy Butler is the veteran of the group. A three-year starter, Butler started nine games last season and is a versatile player, starting games at every position except for left tackle so far in his career. Fellow senior Tyler Compton started two games last season and saw significant time at both guard positions and center. A two-time Conference USA All-Academic selection, Compton was slowed with an ankle injury. Junior Darius Garcia has started 16 games at tackle in his first two years with the Monarchs. A Richmond native, Garcia started seven games last season, six at right tackle and one at left tackle. Sophomore Chad Hendricks played in nine games last year and started the final four at right tackle. Cullen Casey provided depth at both tackle and guard last year, playing in 10 games. Devin Hannan, Hunter Sosebee and Tony Barnett redshirted last season as freshmen and will have the opportunity to win a starting job.
The newest addition on the offensive line for the Monarchs is coach, Chris Malone. A four-year starter at Virginia Tech, Malone spent the last two seasons at Tennessee-Chattanooga, helping them to a pair of FCS playoff berths.