Iowa State Football: Offensive Guards Preview

Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

There’s already been some rough news for the Iowa State football team during the offseason. The Cyclones will be without a projected starter on an offensive line that already doesn’t have much depth.

Projected Depth Chart

(as of May 2nd, 2013 from CycloneFanatic)

Left offensive guard:

1. Shaban Dika Potential replacements: Jacob Gannon, Jamison Lalk, Oni Omoile
2. Bob Graham (78) – Junior (Jenks, OK)
   6-foot-5, 296 pounds

Right offensive guard:

1. Ethan Tuftee (64) – Senior (Davenport, IA)
   6-foot-4, 314 pounds
2. Daniel Burton (70) – Freshman (Oklahoma City, OK)
   6-foot-5, 302 pounds

Dika will not play for the Cyclones this season after recovering from multiple injuries on his knee in the past. He had two ACL injuries in consecutive seasons, the latest coming last spring that forced him to sit through all of last season. The junior’s knee simply can’t handle any more pressure from football.

Potential replacements for left guard are a couple of tackles, Jacob Gannon and Jamison Lalk, and sophomore Oni Omoile.

Omoile wasn’t listed on the spring depth chart. The offensive lineman wears number 77, and saw action against Western Illinois and Kansas after redshirting his freshman year. Despite not being listed in the spring, the coaching staff has been impressed.

"“Oni Omoile is really coming on as a player like we anticipated that he would,” [head coach Paul] Rhoads said, “which is really fun to see.”"

The right side of the line features the bulk of the skill level, similar at tackle. Ethan Tuftee, like Kyle Lichtenberg, is the only senior in the depth chart. They’ll need to provide stability if they have any hope of protecting their quarterback.

[Quote source: Ames Tribune]