The Line<\/h3>\n
Last year\u2019s offensive line was touted as having more combined snaps than any other unit in the ACC. It was really more than most in the country. With a grouping of fifth, sixth, and even a seventh-year player, the experience, and depth, was notable. Now it is a test for guys who saw action as backups being expected to take over. Gone are Sean Maginn<\/strong>, Loic Ngassam Nya<\/strong>, and seventh-year player Je\u2019Vionte Nash<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Now it is the likes of Spencer Clapp<\/strong>, Nick Sharpe<\/strong>, Matt Gulbin<\/strong>, and others whose previous role was to provide depth now being the front line.<\/p>\n Clawson says there is excitement coming from the guys who have been sitting for years behind the ultra-experienced line of previous years. \u201cSometimes when a guy plays for the first time, you get their best football because they are so excited that they get to play,\u201d he said Thursday. \u201cOnce you\u2019ve started 30, 40 games, you kind of take it for granted that you\u2019re the starter.\u201d<\/p>\n Clawson specified that with his offensive line, a lot of these players have been waiting a long time. \u201cSpencer Clapp\u2019s been here seven years. Here\u2019s his first chance to start.\u201d Wake has a long list of players who have taken the free 2020 year of eligibility granted by the NCAA. Thus, more than a few have extended their time in college well beyond the norm. \u201cYou have guys like Matt Gulbin<\/strong>, and George Sell<\/strong>, and Erik Russell,<\/strong> and Nick Sharpe<\/strong> that have been here for two, three years. Luke Petitbon<\/strong> is going into his fourth year. This is why they came here. This is their opportunity. And they\u2019re going to make the most of it.\u201d They still have center Michael Jurgens<\/strong> and tackle DeVonte Gordon<\/strong> to look toward for the grizzled veteran starter help.<\/p>\n Linebacker would seem to be an easier fix since the Demon Deacons only go with two inside linebackers. But the loss of Ryan Smenda to the potential of the NFL leaves a definitive void. Dylan Hazen<\/a> and Chase Jones<\/a> are the likely starters, but the issue becomes, yes, depth. Reserve tight end Trey Boll<\/strong> has been moved to linebacker during camp. They are also trying to get a lot of work for early enrollee Aiden Hall<\/strong>. They also have Jacob Roberts<\/strong>, the transfer portal player from North Carolina A&T who had 72 tackles last year.<\/p>\n Clawson said the goal is to get them all plenty of team snaps\u2026not just the kind of work you get in position drills, but the ones that come with the live action play at practice.<\/p>\nLinebacker<\/h3>\n
![\"Depth](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/03\/USATSI_19422806_168400536_lowres-300x200.jpg\")
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