(Editor's Note: The following is the first in a series of stories this week breaking the Warhawk football team down position by position entering training camp)
As the UW-Whitewater football team enters the final week prior to the opening of 2011 preseason practice lets take a first look at building this year’s team. Four starters off the 2010 offensive line must be replaced. Mark Gawronski, Matt Weber, Robby Unsruck and Grant Murray were all seniors on last year’s national championship team. Logan Allemand will be lone returning starter back on the O-line back this season.
Along with Allemand, a number return that have either started, or seen extended action over the past couple of years.
Jimmy Norris has the most starting experience of offensive linemen returning this fall. The junior from Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois has been a “spot starter” during his tenure on the Warhawk football team.
In 2009, Norris was thrust into the starting line-up when Garth Coates went down with an injury. Mark Gawronski moved over from guard to replace Coates at center. Norris started three consecutive games at guard.
The remainder of the Hawks 2010 offensive line two-deep returns: Grant Poenitsch (Jr), Ryan Olson (Sr), Joe Hansen (Jr), Jake Wahl (Jr), Alex Misialek (Sr).
As is the case seemingly each season, offensive line coach Steve Dinkel is among the top developers of offensive line talent in college football – at any division.
Despite losing four OL starters, including two All-Americans, the stable of talent is deep. Offensive linemen were also a primary focus when building the UWW 2011 recruiting class.
Coming up Monday afternoon I will be taking a look at the wide receiver talent pool heading into the start of training camp this coming weekend.
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