Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in an eight-part series previewing each position heading into 2012.
The 2012 LSU offensive line is expected to be a key strength for the program this season because of the squad’s abundance of experience and knowledge. The Tigers’ offense returns four starters to the front lines, which should prove to be a solid advantage for LSU as the season progresses. “Any time you surround yourself with people that have been there, it’s a certain ‘click’ that the offense has when it’s on the same page, and you know what they’re doing,” said P.J. Lonergan, senior center. “And when you have guys with experience, you know how they like to block, they know how you like to block and it just makes everything click even better.” The four projected starters on the line have started a combined 78 games throughout their respective careers. Add in the 26 starts from sixth-year senior and potential starter at left guard Josh Dworaczyk, and it’s safe to say that this group shouldn’t have any confidence problems moving forward. Senior right tackle Alex Hurst will be starting for the third straight season. “Maturity comes with age. This is my final go-round, and I’m very confident in my capabilities,” he said. The one player who lacks experience on the line, sophomore La’el Collins, only appeared in seven games last year with no starts. But the veteran Dworaczyk guided in the young guard in his development this past spring. “We sit next to each other in the media room,” Dworaczyk said. “We watch each other’s footwork. If there’s any little tip here or there that we can give each other, we like to share it. I like to help him out in that situation, and anything I can do to help him out, I try to get it done.” This collective group is regarded as a force to be reckoned with, and its combined 257.5 knockdown blocks in 2011 help further that description. Several members of the offensive line received both postseason and preseason acknowledgements for their performances last year. Hurst followed his terrific 2011 campaign with a selection to the First-Team All-Southeastern Conference squad by the conference coaches. Junior left tackle Chris Faulk earned a Second-Team All-SEC nod from the Associated Press. Even Collins received his share of attention, being named a 2011 Freshman All-American by CBSSports.com.   A number of Tigers also find themselves on the annual preseason watch lists for their respective positions.  Lonergan is on the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy, which is given to the nation’s top center after every season. Both Faulk and Hurst were named to the Outland Trophy Watch List and the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List. The Outland Trophy is given annually to the nation’s top interior lineman, and the Lombardi Award goes to the nation’s top lineman or linebacker. Even with all of the preseason attention, the line must now prepare for the 2012 campaign. “As far as coming into the season, I’m very excited,” Hurst said. “Collectively, the guys have worked hard during this spring, this summer and this [fall] camp. I think it will be a very special year for us.”
 
—- Contact Lawrence Barreca at [email protected].