The ISU offensive line lost a bulk of of its starting lineup after last season. 

Brock Dagel, Jamison Lalk, Wendell Taiese and Oni Omoile, who were all part of the offensive line core last season, graduated at the end of the season. 

Now, the offensive line is rebuilding. While the new coaching staff searches to find the right group of players to make up the front line for next season, offensive coordinator Tom Manning said he’s been happy with what he’s seen so far.

“When you’re building an offensive line, you have to have patience,” Manning said. “You have to understand that it’s not going to look like the Chicago Bears the first day. You have to understand that. Obviously it’s a test of patience. From our end, we’re really happy with the growth that we’ve had. But it can’t stop here.”

So far, Manning and ISU coach Matt Campbell have said that three people have stood out during the spring season. Redshirt seniors Nick Fett and Patrick Scoggins have taken on a leadership role among the group, and redshirt freshman Julian Good-Jones has stood out, too.

“Julian Good-Jones is a young man that I have really high expectations for,” Campbell said. “He’s had what I would say are 12 really good practices in terms of what his ability level is and what he can do for us. Patrick Scoggins … has played really well at times for us as well. Nick [Fett] has really improved. He has a very high-end ability. I’m excited to see what his potential will hold.”

One thing they haven’t done is finalize positions on the offensive line. Throughout the spring, Manning has rotated players through different spots on the line at every practice to see what works best.

“Each position requires a whole different skill set,” Manning said. “Everything is different. Obviously there is some carryover from being an inside guy and an outside guy. Really for us, it’s [about] finding who best fits the plays we would like to run with the players that we have.”

Manning, though, would like to have positions finalized as soon as possible — at least in time for fall camp.

“In fall camp, you want to have things as solid as you can have them,” Manning said. “I think we’ve kind of settled a little bit on certain guys in certain positions. It’s been solid, but we’d like to have that as solid as we can at least as you get into the first couple of practices into fall camp.”

Regardless of who ends up playing where, Campbell said he’s happy with what’s been accomplished thus far.

But Campbell still has his issues with the offensive line, and he doesn’t see them being resolved over night.

“I see that group getting better,” Campbell said. “Obviously it’s still a concern. It’s going to be a concern until we get to next fall and see those guys actually play in some critical conditions. I do think that group has made some great strides.”