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Missouri Tigers Positional Preview: Offensive Line

By Josh McSwain

Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers players including linebacker Denzel Martin (49) and offensive lineman Kevin Pendleton (67) huddle as they warm up before facing the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2014 SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers players including linebacker Denzel Martin (49) and offensive lineman Kevin Pendleton (67) huddle as they warm up before facing the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2014 SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The SEC is known for smashmouth football, requiring teams to be strong in the trenches. The Tigers were weak up front last year as they allowed 30 sacks and ranked 120th in the nation with a paltry 3.5 yards per carry. They have lost some experienced starters in the past couple years, and will be rebuilding the offensive line with a young group this season:

Starters

Left tackle: Tanner Owen, R-Fr.

The redshirt freshman will be in charge of guarding Drew Lock’s blind side this coming year. He was ranked 17th best prospect in the state of Missouri coming out of Kearney high school; in the 2015 class. He’s a smaller tackle at 280 pounds, but tall at 6-5. His athletic ability caught the eye of the coaches. He will be given a huge responsibility early on, but he can handle it. Named first team all-state at the 5A level his senior year.

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Left guard: A.J. Harris, R-Fr.

The offensive line was dealt a big blow when Nate Crawford left the team due to a back injury. Crawford was one of the best offensive linemen last year as he played in 11 games and played through an injury all year. There will be a competition for the starting job here, and I’m going with Harris to win it. The 6-4, 285 pound redshirt freshman from Stilwell, Kan. got the coach’s attention with his athletic ability and quickness out of his stance. He was the #1 prospect out of the state of Kansas his sophomore year.

Center: Alec Abeln, R-Jr.

The University High School (St. Louis) product has Tiger pride in his blood, as his mother was Truman when she was at the school. He cracked the starting lineup last year as he started the season opener at left guard against SEMO, the first of his three starts at left guard last season. Overall he appeared in nine games, and moves to center this season. He was rated the #15 center prospect coming out of high school in 2013 and this year the 290 pound interior lineman moves back to his natural position.

Right guard: Kevin Pendleton, R-So.

The redshirt sophomore, #67 in the picture above, will be taking over this season on the interior of the offensive line. He appeared in three games last season after being redshirted during the 2014 season. The Lee’s Summit West product impressed coaches with his footwork and mobility for a guy his size. He was named all-state during his senior season. At 6-4, 315 he will provide size and a mean streak on the interior.

Right tackle: Paul Adams, R-So.

The other non-Missourian starting on the line is the Nashville, Tenn. native out of Christ Presbyterian Academy, where he played on both the offensive and defensive lines as he went on to win a state title his senior year. He’s a tall tackle at 6-6 and 290. He saw the field in three games last season, and will carry a much bigger responsibility this season. Coaches noted this athletic ability and strong hands as why they wanted him.

Backups

Samson Bailey, Thomas Grossman, Adam Ploudre, Jonah Debinski, Kyle Mitchell, Tre’Vour Simms, Tyler Howell, Michael Stannard

Note with any of these backups, it’s not out of the question any of them could see the field this season.

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