Strong up front, IU can retool offense behind a steady line

We're nine years removed from Terry Hoeppner's "Seven Blocks of Limestone" moniker now, but the kind of offensive line he envisioned in Bloomington has taken shape under coach Kevin Wilson.

Between recruiting and development, Wilson and position coach Greg Frey have turned a problematic position into one of IU's most reliable units.

Holes will need filling this season, with Collin Rahrig and Bernard Taylor gone, and Ralston Evans' career cut short by injuries. But Indiana also has the depth required to replace its losses -- Jake Reed at center, Jacob Bailey at guard, Tim Gardner and Delroy Baker at tackle.

Unit stalwarts Jason Spriggs and Dan Feeney will anchor this position group, which should be one of Indiana's best.

NAMES TO KNOW

Jake Reed, 6-4, 288, R-Sr.

Jason Spriggs, 6-7, 305, Sr.

Jacob Bailey, 6-5, 298, R-Jr.

Wes Rogers, 6-4, 300, R-Jr.

Dan Feeney, 6-4, 305, R-Jr.

DeAndre Herron, 6-5, 305, R-Jr.

Dimitric Camiel, 6-7, 319, R-Jr.

Delroy Baker, 6-6, 305, R-Fr.

Tim Gardner, 6-5, 310, R-Fr.

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IRON MAN

It's been three years since Kevin Wilson touted Jason Spriggs as the kind of athletic lineman who can make a nice living in the NFL. Those words have proved prophetic.

In three seasons at left tackle, Spriggs has played in 35 games, 34 of them starts. He has missed just one.

He allowed only two sacks as a freshman, and again as a junior. He has anchored the flank of Indiana's line during record-setting seasons in each of the past two years, first in total yards and, last season, in rushing yards.

Moreover, the Concord native has become one of the faces of his program, accompanying Nate Sudfeld and Adarius Rayner to Big Ten media days in Chicago. CBS Sports ranks Spriggs the No. 7 offensive tackle in the current draft class, though we're a long way from next year's draft.

Whatever his future holds, Spriggs has proven Wilson right -- he is that type of tackle.

EXPERIENCE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Take a second look at that nine-man rotation listed above. Beyond the two redshirt freshmen, it's nothing but fourth- and fifth-year players.

That kind of experience is perhaps more valuable along an offensive line than anywhere else in football. Experienced linemen can play multiple positions, make reads and calls for one another, and adjust in real time to complex defensive schemes.

And nearly any coach will tell you a successful offense has to start up front.

Those might not be the only names to rotate in along the line this season. They don't include a single member of a talented freshman class expected to replace the current generation eventually.

But in that aforementioned group, there is talent, experience and versatility. It's to Wilson's credit, and Frey's, that this position has become so dependable in the last five years. It should be one of Indiana's greatest strengths in 2015.

OTHER POSITION PREVIEWS

Quarterback

Running back

Wide receiver

Tight end

Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.