Roster Preview: Offensive Line

A look at the starters and key backups for the Huskies in the trenches.

Most of the optimism around the UConn offense this year is centered around the quarterback and skill positions, and understandably so. UConn returns a quality sophomore running back, has an exciting quarterback battle progressing through camp, and a host of receivers ready for targets.

But it’s hard for those guys to perform up to their potential without a strong offensive line, and UConn has a mixture of experience and new blood to try to make that happen.

This year’s Huskies have two starters from 2021 to replace:

Left tackle Ryan Van Demark after holding down a starting job for four years. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts after his distinguished career.

Sidney Walker, who started for most of the season at center, transferred to Buffalo to join a stout offensive line under second-year head coach Maurice Linguist.

UConn’s line has lots of room for improvement after a poor 2021. The unit ranked No. 91 in success rate (percentage of carries that gained four yards or more), and No. 114 in passing downs, hurting the Huskies’ ability to get a good running game off the ground in most games, ranking No. 120 in rushing offense with just over 100 yards per game. The pass blocking hamstrung the offense as well, as the various starting quarterbacks were sent into scramble mode far more often than you’d like.

Like in other areas of the team, head coach Jim Mora dipped into the transfer portal to build up depth in the position.

Here’s a look at the projected starters, plus some depth pieces that will leave the Huskies more prepared for injuries.

Tackle: Chase Lundt, Redshirt Sophomore, 6-7 304

A prototypical offensive tackle, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 304 lbs, redshirt sophomore Chase Lundt should remain the starter at right tackle for another year with the Huskies despite not appearing in the majority of snaps with the 1’s in fall camp, fighting off a nagging injury.

Lundt was a three-star recruit out of Arlington, Texas, who is a competent pass blocker, as his large frame allows him to keep pass rushers at arms’ length. The next step for him is improving as a run blocker.

Guard: Noel Ofori-Nyadu, Redshirt Junior, 6-3 292

Noel Ofori-Nyadu was thrust into a prominent role on the offensive line in 2021, starting eight games at left guard beside Van Demark and performing solidly. Like Lundt, Ofori-Nyadu played high school in Arlington, Texas, gathering offers from New Mexico State and Tulane before committing to UConn under former head coach Randy Edsall.

At 6-foot-3 and 292 lbs, Ofori-Nyadu isn’t the largest guard, but has developed into a decent pass blocker in his time in Storrs, allowing just one sack and four QB hits in eight games as a starter.

Center: Jake Guidone, Graduate Transfer, 6-2 300

After losing Walker to the transfer portal, Mora dipped into the Ivy League to find a starting center. Dartmouth transfer Jake Guidone is an all-Ivy League lineman and a player who has emerged as a leader in the locker room, according to guard Christian Haynes.

Guidone was deployed as a tight end early on in his Dartmouth career before moving to the line, earning All-Ivy League and FCS All-American honors and helping the Big Green to league championships in 2019 and 2021. His athleticism should serve UConn well in this critical position on the line.

Guard: Christian Haynes, Redshirt Junior, 6-3 295

Redshirt junior Christian Haynes is a mauler inside and could be the next UConn lineman to get a chance at the next level, following the same path as Matt Peart and Ryan Van Demark. Haynes was the best performer on the Huskies’ line in 2021, stout in the run block and handling interior linemen in passing situations, allowing just 11 total QB pressures in 12 games.

At 6-foot-3, 305 lbs, Haynes is an athletic lineman with good hands and footwork, traits that will be invaluable to UConn.

Tackle: Valentin Senn, Redshirt Sophomore, 6-7 298

Listed as the starting left tackle, Senn has the measurables at 6-foot-7, but only made a few spot appearances on the line in 2021. He’s an intriguing prospect, originally hailing from Volders, Austria.

Rated as the No. 2 prospect in Europe, Senn was a three-star recruit and attended Colorado for two years but did not appear in a game. He was firmly a backup behind Lundt and Van Demark in 2021, but has taken most of the snaps with the first team offensive line in camp so far.

Chris Fortin, Sophomore, 6-4 302

True sophomore Christopher Fortin filled in at center for the injured Sidney Walker, making six appearances in 2021, but could be asked to take over a very different role in the Huskies’ 2022 offensive line. Fortin has taken reps filling at center for an injured Guidone in fall camp, but has also made appearances at guard and even left tackle.

A three-star recruit from St. Rene, Quebec, Fortin was part of UConn’s 2020 recruiting class and was thrown in as a starter early on in his career. Fortin started four games in 2021 as a replacement for the injured Sidney Walker, and should be the first lineman off the bench, competing with Lundt for the starting left tackle spot. Having a starting-caliber lineman who can fill multiple positions will be invaluable for the UConn offensive line depth.

Tres Barboza, Senior, 6-4 304

Gamamiel “Tres” Barboza is a big, physical lineman who should provide a good depth option at either tackle position. Barboza took the junior college route to a scholarship at UTEP, where he appeared in two games in 2019 and five in 2021, redshirting his junior season.

Dayne Shor, Freshman, 6-5 317

Jim Mora continued to hit the transfer portal hard this offseason with the addition of Dayne Shor from Alabama. Shor was rated as the No. 34 offensive lineman by 247Sports, choosing Alabama over offers from Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State, USC, and others. Shor is originally from Alpharetta, Georgia, but attended IMG Academy for high school in Florida.

After reporting a struggle with his mental health, Shor departed Tuscaloosa for Storrs, and now represents a tremendous offensive line prospect for the Huskies to build around. His gigantic frame makes him more suited to the tackle position, and he was praised for his mobility and athleticism as a high school recruit before committing to Alabama.