Due to a rash of injuries and sporadic play, the Cyclones used nine different starting lineups on the offensive line last season. The playing time a number of lineman saw may pay dividends this season. The Cyclones have seven offensive lineman returning who started in at least one game last season.

“If you look at all position groups on the offensive side of the ball, that’s the group that will take the most time to arrive,” said head coach Paul Rhoads.

One major change the o-line will see is the change to a permanent zone-blocking scheme as opposed to a man-blocking scheme. Instead of an offensive lineman blocking a specific man, he will block a space.

“Different things are being asked of them in how they block — using your hands as opposed to using your pads and getting more entangled in defensive bodies as opposed to keeping separation,” Rhoads said.

Despite the revolving door on the o-line last season, the Cyclones only gave up 19 sacks. Considering the high percentage of passing plays sure to be called this season, keeping the quarterback off his back will be huge.

Another new challenge for the o-line will be the formation to a no-huddle offense.

“Last year we huddled up sometimes. This year we haven’t huddled up at all,” said offensive lineman junior Ben Lamaak. “It’s been a little different, obviously a new kind of scheme and new calls and just trying to get adjusted to the new coach’s verbiage.”

The only returning Cyclone who started all 12 games last season is senior guard Reggie Stephens, who spent time at both guard positions. He is the frontrunner for the starting left guard spot for his senior campaign. Stephens, a Texas native, has started a remarkable 28 consecutive games dating back to his freshmen season.

The right guard position will most likely be taken by Lamaak, who saw his season cut short due to injury in 2008. Now he’s back to full strength and looking to regain his starting spot. Two guards who will be competing to see the field are sophomores Joseph Klerekoper and Trey Baysinger. Neither player started last season but each saw considerable playing time in their freshman seasons.

Protecting Austen Arnuad’s weak side at the left tackle position will be juniors Hayworth Hicks or Matt Hulbert. Hicks is listed as the starter on the spring depth chart but Hulbert started the first six games of last season at both tackle positions.

At right tackle, look for 6-foot-5-inch, 338-pound Kelechi Osemele to shore up the spot. The sophomore cracked the starting lineup midway through last season and never gave it back. Also prying for playing time at the tackle positions will be junior college transfer Zack Spears and redshirt freshman Brayden Burris.

Senior center Mike Knapp may or may not be ready for his senior season as he recovers from a couple of problematic leg injuries, but junior Alex Alvarez is projected to start at center regardless. Alvarez started eight games at center last season after filling in for the injured Knapp. Freshmen Ethan Tuftee will also compete for the starting job.

“We’re making a lot of progress up front, Coach [Bill] Bleil does a heck of a job with those guys. Everyday we’re out here we get better,” said offensive coordinator Tom Herman.

A group of experienced tight ends will help out the offensive line when they’re not out running routes. Junior Collin Franklin and senior Derrick Catlett both had career years catching the ball for the Cyclones last season — combining for 35 catches for 488 yards.

“They fit the mold of what we need in terms of being a guy that can play out in space but also bring them closer to the line of scrimmage and use them as a blocker as well,” Herman said. “The tight ends — you’ll see them lined up all over the field.”

Herman’s tight end last season while at Rice was NFL prospect James Casey,  who caught 111 passes for 1,329 yards and 13 touchdowns.

“You’ll see them doing a whole bunch of things from running routes to blocking defensive ends to blocking linebackers to maybe even carrying the football every now and again,” Herman said. “It comes down to what they can bring to the offense and we’re going to get the best 11 players on the field and do what they do best.”