Editor’s note: This is the final installment in a series of articles focusing on the different football positions up for grabs in spring football practice.

Last year, Iowa State’s much maligned offensive line was at the center of a list of reasons for the Cyclones’ 4-8 record.

With four seniors starting on the unit, it also fit the bill of most disappointing.

Now, as Iowa State scrambles to fill the four holes left by the departing seniors, the scrutiny has remained squarely on the offensive line.

The tentative depth chart released at the beginning of spring, which coaches have stressed is worth little more than the piece of paper it was printed on, listed guards Tom Schmeling and Reggie Stephens as starters, plus three newcomers to the starting role.

Schmeling and Stephens combined to start just 12 games last season, illustrating just how much of a concern experience will be in the trenches for Iowa State.

And, when you throw in a new coach and a new system, then you’re essentially starting from scratch.

“It’s kind of like we’re starting over,” Schmeling said. “Right now I think we’re getting exponentially better from where we started off. We’re just trying to pick up the new techniques and stuff that we’re being taught. Some of them we’re picking up on the first day and other ones have taken us a few days to feel out and get used to.”

Head coach Gene Chizik agreed with Schmeling’s assessment of progress, but also said the consistency needed to be successful is not there yet.

“I think that we’ve made some strides on the offensive line, I really do,” Chizik said. “I think we’re a little inconsistent right now. One day we’ve taken two steps forward and then the next day it seems like we might take a step back and that’s the inconsistencies we’re trying to eliminate. But we’ve definitely made progress.”

The Cyclone offensive line endured much criticism last season – the Cyclones gave up an average of 3.17 sacks per game, 11th most in the nation.

And while there were issues at times for the running back position, part of the blame for Iowa State ranking 99th in rushing offense also falls on the line.

Because of the exodus of graduating lineman, and the overall poor performance last year, one of Chizik’s first moves as head coach was to take a few players from the junior college ranks to try to plug holes in the line.

One of those players is Doug Dedrick, who is now listed as the starter for the time being at left tackle.

Dedrick said the biggest factor in progress the offensive line has made this spring is the attitudes of the coaches, especially offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Robert McFarland.

“Coach McFarland is getting us ready,” Dedrick said. “There’s no question about it. Between him and [strength and conditioning coach Ken] Sheppard building our bodies right, we’re getting ready.

“Coach McFarland is a huge perfectionist and makes it clear there will be no mistakes allowed. He makes everybody bring themselves mentally to that level.”

Chizik also had praise for McFarland’s work with the unit.

“Coach McFarland has done an outstanding job getting them prepared to do what we have to do in the fall to win games,” Chizik said.

The biggest key now for the offensive line as spring practice wraps up Saturday with the spring game will be if the offensive line has developed cohesiveness as a unit.

While Schmeling said that can be tough when every spot is up for grabs and people are moving in and out, he said groups are starting to form and all the individuals are starting to play like a unit.

“We’re getting a lot of cohesiveness,” Schmeling said. “Especially with the new JuCo guys. There’s definitely some competition in a few spots, but we’re all accepting and we know that when we get in there the guys next to us are going to do their jobs.”

Schmeling said the line is ready to get out and perform for some fans at the spring game and show everyone what they can do, but Chizik still cautioned that there is still work to be done and that work won’t likely be finished until fall.

This article is part of a series. This is the previous story.