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2008 Gridiron Camp Preview: Offensive Line
Aug. 16, 2008
FORT WORTH, Texas -- The TCU football team concluded its second week of preseason camp with a Saturday morning scrimmage in Amon G. Carter Stadium. GoFrogs.com continues its preview of the 2008 Horned Frogs with a look at the players in the trenches on the offensive side of the ball. The TCU offensive line returns four starters and, with an additional year of experience under its belt, is expected to be much improved. Preseason All-American and Rimington Trophy candidate Blake Schlueter (6-3, 284, Sr.) anchors the line. The Ganado, Texas, native has started all but one game the last two seasons and was a first-team selection on Dave Campbell's Texas Football 2007 All-Texas College Team. Schlueter, in his third year as a starter, has been an All-Mountain West Conference selection in each of the last two seasons. Schlueter is backed up by veteran Tyler Marrou (6-5, 268, Jr.) and Jake Kirkpatrick (6-3, 290, So.). Starting tackles Marshall Newhouse (6-3, 317, Jr.) and Nic Richmond (6-8, 298, Jr.) both return after starting all 13 games a year ago. Newhouse, an honorable-mention All-MWC pick, topped the Frogs in knockdown blocks and overall blocking grade from his left tackle position. He is on pace to become one of the top TCU linemen in recent years. The Dallas native was the only true freshman to play on offense in 2006. Junior college transfer Zach Roth (6-6, 310, Jr.) and Jeff Olson (6-4, 253, RFr.) add depth behind Newhouse. After playing very well down the stretch last season, Marcus Cannon (6-5, 319, So.) will push Richmond for his starting job on the right side. Giles Montgomery (6-5, 295, Sr.) is a returning starter at right guard. Josh Karlin (6-4, 280, Jr.), who lettered in a reserve role, is behind Montgomery. Preston Phillips (6-6, 293, Sr.) and Josh Vernon (6-2, 295, So.) will battle for the starting job at left guard vacated by the graduation of Matty Lindner. Phillips, who made his first collegiate start in the Frogs' 37-0 win over New Mexico last season, is a two-year letterman. Spencer Thompson (6-4, 270, RFr.) will compete for playing time at guard. Heath Raetz (6-5, 315, Sr.), sidelined most of the 2007 campaign by injury, also figures prominently into the mix for playing time. BY THE NUMBERS:
1 - Years of high school football played by Jake Kirkpatrick
4 - Current players in college football who are taller than the 6-foot-8 Nic Richmond
8 - All-Mountain West Conference selections for the TCU offensive line the last three seasons (Blake Schlueter, 2; Herb Taylor, 2; Stephen Culp, 1; Matty Lindner, 1, Marshall Newhouse, 1; Michael Toudouze, 1)
66 - Career starts by TCU offensive linemen (Blake Schlueter, 25, Giles Montgomery, 14, Marshall Newhouse, 13; Nic Richmond, 13; Preston Phillips, 1)
870 - Pounds squatted by Blake Schlueter to set a TCU weight room record
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