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A lack of continuity at the offensive line coach hasn’t affected the unit that could be the Aggies’ deepest entering the season.

“I have had a positive outlook at each year with a different coach who has brought something new to the table,” said Valerian Ume-Ezeoke, a four-year starter at center. “Each coach has a different technique and view of how the game should be played, and I have used that to my advantage for my game.”

Ume-Ezeoke is one of eight offensive linemen Wells said he would feel comfortable putting in a game if the Aggies had to play this weekend, with two more players competing for playing time.

“It’s good if you have eight guys at any level to be honest with you,” Wells said.

Ume-Ezeoke, Houston Clemente (left tackle) and Andy Cunningham (right tackle) are solidified as starters. Junior Isaiah Folasa-Lutui was moved from right guard to left guard.

Clemente, a 6-foot-4, 303-pound junior, replaces Devonte Wallace as the protector of the quarterback’s blind side.

“Wallace was a good mentor teaching younger guys on how to do certain techniques for the offensive line,” Clemente said.

Aug. 28

Season opener: Cal Poly at New Mexico State, 6 p.m., Cal Poly at New Mexico State, 6 p.m., AggieVision/ESPN3.com

Clemente was sixth in the rotation last year and played on the field goal unit.

Now as a starter, consistency and confidence has been Clemente’s focus. Redshirt freshman Thomas McGwire and redshirt sophomore Peter Foreman are backing up at left tackle.

“Right now it’s about confidence,” Clemente said. “I had to get stronger in the summer and become mentally tougher in order to get the spot.”

Right guard is between true freshman Dezmand Candelaria (6-3, 295) and sophomore Abram Holland.

“Candelaria is very strong for his age,” Ume-Ezeoke said. “He came in benching and squatting big numbers. He’s still trying to learn, but he is doing really good catching everything. He has been playing like (a starter), which is pretty surprising for a true freshman.”

Wells said Candelaria, a native of Mesquite, Texas, and the only freshman offensive lineman the Aggies signed, fits a need at the position for a spread offense.

“When looking for spread offensive linemen, you can get away with less length as long as they can run and get to the edges on the screens,” Wells said. “Obviously they have to pass block, and the running game is more one-on-one, so there are more single blocks they have to win.”

Run blocking didn’t seem to be an issue in open scrimmages against the Aggies defense, but there is always room for improvement, Ume-Ezeoke said.

“We have been opening holes, and what (Wells) has been teaching is getting on linebackers and running through them,” Ume-Ezeoke said. “I feel like maybe our pass blocking is a little better. Our best year since I’ve been here was my freshman year (2011) when we had Kenny Turner, but the last two years have been pretty good (as an offensive line unit). Last October, we had a progression on the line.”

The Aggies hope that progression carries into 2014.