New-look KU offensive line takes shape

By Matt Tait     Apr 10, 2013

Nick Krug
Kansas offensive lineman Pat Lewandowski (61) works through a drill with the other linemen during a spring practice on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at Memorial Stadium.

Positional battles continue nearly everywhere on the field as Kansas University’s spring football game approaches, but the Jayhawks’ offensive line, which lost three multi-year starters from last season, is coming together.

“There’s been movement and there will continue to be movement,” KU coach Charlie Weis said of the O-Line. “Going into camp, we know where everyone’s gonna be, position-wise.”

During Tuesday’s final spring session with the media before Saturday’s scrimmage, Weis said that junior-college transfer Mike Smithburg had moved to center — his more natural position — and likely would stay there.

Weis said the top options at both guard spots include juco transfer Ngalu Fusimalohi, sophomore Damon Martin and senior Randall Dent. All three have received first-team reps this spring, with Dent the most recent lineman to make the leap.

“We have a chance of throwing a pretty physical offensive line out there,” Weis said.

As for KU’s depth up front, Weis said senior tackle Riley Spencer had worked his way back into contention behind junior Pat Lewandowski at left tackle and that red-shirt freshman Brian Beckmann had looked better than expected behind starting right tackle Aslam Sterling.

Receiver update

Early this spring, Weis said senior Christian Matthews and junior Justin McCay would start at wide receiver if the Jayhawks had to play a game this spring. The same message rang true Tuesday.

“If we had to play today, they would start,” Weis said.

Both began the spring as second-string players before moving to the first unit in the first week of practices. One wideout who took a major step forward during the past week was sophomore Tre’ Parmalee.

“We challenged him,” Weis said. “He’s young, and a lot of times when you’re young, you’re not real physical, but he’s been significantly improved over the last week and change.”

PREV POST

Weis releases KU football spring game format

NEXT POST

42399New-look KU offensive line takes shape

Author Photo

Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.