The New Mexico State offensive line returns three players from
last year’s starting unit.
Junior Devonte Wallace anchored the Aggie offensive line
last season. The El Paso native finished with 52 knockdowns,
while allowing five sacks and committing five penalties. Wallace was named a
second team All-Western Athletic Conference selection, making him the first
Aggie lineman since 2008 to earn an award.
Andrew Kersten returns for his senior season at NMSU, after
transferring from El Camino Junior College in 2011. Kersten played in 11 games in 2011, allowing just one sack. He also had two games with
double-digit knockdowns.
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke enters his sophomore season with the
Aggies, after starting in six games last year. The Aggie lineman finished with 32
knockdowns, while allowing no sacks and committing no penalties.
Junior college transfer Dada Richards is a new addition who
could have an immediate impact on the line. At six-foot-three, 315 pounds,
Richards provides NMSU with another big body to protect Andrew Manley and create space
for the running backs.
There are four redshirt freshmen looking for significant playing time in 2012, including Andy Cunningham, who missed all of last season after suffering an injury at fall camp. At six-foot-four, 300 pounds, Cunningham is another big body who will bulk up the line.
New offensive line coach Brad Bedell, who held the same position at UC Davis last year, is in charge of putting the pieces on the line together. Bedell also played lineman for the Cleveland Browns Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans during his NFL career.
There is no shortage of size on the offensive line, but experience is limited. Wallace, Kersten and Ume-Ezeoke are the only offensive lineman on the roster who saw playing time for the Aggies last season.
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