Tag: offensive tackle

2020 Gators Football Recruiting Profile: Gerald Mincey

This is a prospect player profile for offensive tackle Gerald Mincey of the Florida Gators football recruiting class of 2020.

Name: Gerald Mincey

Position: Offensive Tackle

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 320 lbs

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

High School: Cardinal Gibbons High School

Twitter: @GeraldMincey

247Sports Composite: ⭐⭐⭐

Rivals.com: ⭐⭐⭐

Overview:

Gerald Mincey is a three-star offensive tackle signee from Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale. The No. 48 offensive tackle in the nation and the No. 655 player overall according to the 247Sports Composite, Mincey had a wide range of offers despite his relatively low recruiting ranking. He saw late coaching visits from staffs at Georgia and Miami, in addition to fielding offers from schools like FSU and Penn State, but he eventually committed to Florida in June 2019 and held firm on that commitment, signing in December.

A physical force at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, Mincey has strong footwork and movement given his size. He’s a bruising pass blocker and could develop into quite a force up front for the Gators in the coming years.

Though he likely needs some time to develop and get in playing shape for an offensive lineman, Mincey is an important get a position of huge need for UF. The offensive line struggled tremendously in 2019 and is lacking in depth, especially at the tackle positions. Though he may not see the field in 2020, Mincey could be a key part of Florida’s o-line plan later on in his career.

Video:

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Broncos fans shouldn’t forget Mike Munchak is coaching Garett Bolles

“The way Coach Munchak coaches, it’s perfect for Garrett,” Broncos guard Dalton Risner said.

Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles has struggled to live up to his first-round draft status, averaging nearly one penalty per game in his career. Bolles finished last season well, though, and Denver coach Vic Fangio is optimistic that Bolles could take a step forward this season.

That might sound like wishful thinking to some Broncos fans but it’s important to remember that Bolles is being coached by Mike Munchak, who earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame during his playing days.

“I think something that people need to remember is Mike Munchak,” guard Dalton Risner said on Aug. 6. “That’s a factor that we need to remember. That guy is a Hall of Famer and he has a Gold Jacket. He’s probably going to have two Gold Jackets before he’s done with football.

“I truly believe with the way Coach Munchak coaches, it’s perfect for Garrett. He’s going to call Garrett out when he needs to be called out, he’s going to uplift Garrett when he needs uplifting and he’s going to teach Garrett. He knows how to teach the game because he’s done it. In fact, he’s got a Gold Jacket from doing it.” 

Munchak, a former head coach, helped several offensive linemen overachieve during his time with the Steelers and now that he has had a full year working with Bolles, there’s reason for optimism this season.

“I think Garrett has worked extremely hard and Garrett has a great work ethic,” Risner said. “He continues to work hard. He’s got a passion for the game, and I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for Garrett. I love that man, but I also think Mike Munchak helps him a ton.

“The more he gets time with Coach Munchak, the better player he’s going to be. You will probably see a whole new Garrett Bolles this year. A lot more of what you saw the last five games of the season.”

Bolles and Risner are expected to start next to each other on the left side of Denver’s offensive line this year.

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Texans sign former Steelers, Buccaneers offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins

The Houston Texans are adding to their offensive tackle depth by signing former Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers OT Jerald Hawkins.

Houston Texans coach and general manager Bill O’Brien said 2020 would be a veteran type of year when it came to roster construction, and he wasn’t kidding.

The Texans signed former 2016 Pittsburgh Steelers fourth-round pick Jerald Hawkins Monday, according to his agent. Details of the contract were not disclosed.

Hawkins, a former LSU Tiger, played five games for the Steelers in 2017, starting in one of them. The 6-6, 305-pound Baldwin, Louisiana, native hurt his shoulder in his rookie preseason, which limited his playing time with Pittsburgh. In 2018, he sustained a torn quadriceps during organized team activities, and was subsequently placed on injured reserve.

The Steelers traded Hawkins and a 2021 seventh-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the end of the 2019 preseason for a 2021 sixth-round selection.

“The potential has always been there to be a rotational offensive tackle, but injury problems have severely limited him,” Steelers Wire managing editor Curt Popejoy said.

The Texans currently have Roderick Johnson as their penciled-in swing tackle. However, the club is constantly looking for better options. Though the Texans drafted Charlie Heck in the fourth-round, he may not be ready to take over the swing tackle job. Houston also has Brent Qvale, Kyle Murphy, David Steinmetz, Elijah Nkansah, and Rick Leonard on the roster.

Houston recently brought in former New England Patriots tackle Antonio Garcia for a visit.

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Report: Texans bring ex-Patriots offensive tackle Antonio Garcia for a visit

The Houston Texans brought in former New England Patriots offensive tackle Antonio Garcia for a visit.

The Houston Texans are evaluating the veteran talent that is currently in the free agency pool.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans brought in former New England Patriots offensive tackle Antonio Garcia for a visit.

The Patriots drafted Garcia in Round 3 of the 2017 NFL Draft, but he never played a game for the AFC East club. Garcia developed blood clots in his lungs, and it impacted his ability to practice with the team. New England waived the 6-7, 300-pound tackle in May of 2018 after he spent all of his rookie year on the non-football illness list.

Patriots Wire managing editor Henry McKenna said Garcia was in New England’s plans at tackle.

Garcia spent the balance of the 2018 offseason and preseason with the New York Jets, who cut him at the end of preseason. The Indianapolis Colts signed him to their practice squad in late October, and ultimately to a reserve/future contract at the end of the year.

In 2019, Garcia was suspended for the first four games of the season due to violations of the league’s substance abuse policy. The Colts waived him at the end of preseason, and the Miami Dolphins picked him up for their practice squad in early October, only to release him two weeks later.

Left tackle Laremy Tunsil and right tackle Tytus Howard will be the starters for Houston. The depth consists of Roderick Johnson, rookie Charlie Heck, Brent Qvale, Rick Leonard, Kyle Murphy, Elijah Nkansah, and David Steinmetz.

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Report: Broncos have ‘parameters of deal’ in place with Demar Dotson

The Broncos appear close to signing offensive tackle Demar Dotson.

The Denver Broncos have the parameters of a deal in place with 34-year-old right tackle Demar Dotson, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Terms of the contract are unknown but it is likely a one-year deal.

Dotson (6-9, 315 pounds) signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a college free agent out of Southern Mississippi following the 2009 NFL draft. He became a regular starter in 2012 and remained a starter through the 2019 season.

Dotson has to test negative for COVID-19 and then the team will give him a physical examination. If he passes, Dotson will likely be signed early this week, according to Klis.

Denver is looking for more depth at right tackle after Ja’Wuan James opted out of the season. Elijah Wilkinson is expected to start in James’ place — Dotson would provide competition and veteran depth at tackle.

Dotson committed 10 penalties and allowed 3.5 sacks in 15 starts last season, according to STATS LLC. Wilkinson was penalized six times and allowed eight sacks in 12 starts.

The Broncos currently have three open spots on the roster.

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Dallas Jesuit offensive tackle chooses Baylor over Texas

Texas is not having great luck targeting offensive lineman out of the 2021 recruiting class.

Texas fell just short of another offensive lineman target. Continue reading “Dallas Jesuit offensive tackle chooses Baylor over Texas”

Former Longhorn Connor Williams has stiff competition in Dallas

Former Longhorn and All-American Connor Williams finds himself in a battle for playing time. However he may be the best man for the job.

When former Texas Longhorns and All-American Connor Williams was selected by the Dallas Cowboys, he was expected to compete for the starting left guard spot. Since joining his hometown team, Williams has played in 24 games starting 21. Last season the injury bug bit him again and he missed five games. After coming off the torn ACL, he is expected to be right in the mix once again.

From the Athletic’s Dane Brugler on Williams coming out of Texas:

A three-year starter at Texas, Williams earned the starting left tackle job as a true freshman and had an All-American season as a sophomore, putting himself on the NFL radar. However, he appeared to take a step back in 2017 followed by a knee injury that sidelined him for most of his junior season. Williams learned under three different offensive coordinators in three seasons in Austin, which helped diversify his skill-set. He is technique-focused and moves with above average athleticism, flashing the competitive finish and instincts required for the next level. While the intent is there, he isn’t an overpowering player and contact balance can be an issue at times. Overall, Williams will be a guard/center on some draft boards due to his lack of length, but his sophomore tape showed a capable NFL starter at tackle and NFL teams will need to trust the 2016 tape to draft him in round one.

Ben Grimaldi of the Cowboys Wire recently talked about his outlook for the left guard battle in Dallas. Another Connor, McGovern who missed all of last season is also in the mix to start. Just don’t count out Williams who has the experience at the position in the NFL.

If he’s healthy and recovered from his injury, Williams is in the best position to be the starter at LG, but he’ll have to earn a starting role. If he can’t beat out the competition, he’ll be one of the best back-up offensive linemen in the league.

The 23-year old kid from Coppell, Texas has already had a roller coaster ride to begin his career. Williams may always be linked to Goedert and Cowboys fans are hoping he’ll take the next step to having the impact the TE in Philadelphia’s had.

The jury’s still out on Williams.

For the most up to date information on the Dallas Cowboys, make sure you check out The Cowboys Wire as part of the USA TODAY Sports Media Group.

Broncos ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Garett Bolles at left tackle

Broncos coach Vic Fangio thinks left tackle Garett Bolles has shown improvement over the last few months.

Before Ja’Wuan James opted out of the season, the Broncos were planning to have Garett Bolles and Elijah Wilkinson compete at left tackle this summer. Bolles would have been the favorite but competition for his job likely would have been good for him.

Wilkinson is now set to start at right tackle in the place of James and Bolles won’t have much competition on the left side.

“Right now, to be honest with you, I would have to say it’s his [job] to lose,” coach Vic Fangio said during a Zoom conference call on Aug. 4.

Bolles has averaged almost one penalty per game in his career but he showed signs of improvement in Denver’s last five games last season. Fangio is hoping the 28-year-old tackle will build on that improvement.

“I think he took a step last year during the season,” Fangio said. “He played better the last half — the last third of the season — than he did in the early part of the season. I think he’s had his best offseason as far as where he’s at. He had a really productive offseason as it comes to physical workouts. I think he’s in a better place mentally and emotionally than he’s ever been in in this time of the year.”

Bolles will also be entering his second year playing under offensive line coach Mike Munchak, who has helped linemen overachieve in the past.

“I think we all sense that he’s in a better spot in all areas than he has been in his past,” Fangio said. “He’s gotten bigger. I think he’s gotten more knowledgeable. I think he’s ready. Can I guarantee it? No, we’ll all see when we start playing real games, but I’m cautiously optimistic.”

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Texas targeting another 2021 offensive lineman from Dallas

Texas landed their second offensive lineman commit in the 2021 class on Thursday. Now, Herb Hand turns his attention to OT Ryan Lengyel.

Texas landed their second offensive lineman commit in the 2021 class in Michael Myslinski on Thursday. Now, Herb Hand turns his attention back to an in-state prospect in offensive tackle Ryan Lengyel.

Coming out of Jesuit High School in Dallas, Texas, Lengyel received an offer from the Longhorns on July 31. Baylor and Wyoming will challenge Texas for his commitment, which could be coming within the next 10 days.

247Sports’ crystal ball has one prediction for Lengyel and it currently favors the Longhorns, with recruiting analyst Mike Roach giving an eight on confidence level.

Lengyel told Mike Roach before being offered that he grew up watching Texas.

“Texas is a huge program and I’ve always watched it being raised in Texas,” he said.

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Listed at 6-5 and 275 pounds, Lengyel is seen as a long term project for Herb Hand. Only a three-star prospect, the Dallas product could be similar to future first-round draft pick Samuel Cosmi.

Cosmi ranked higher on 247Sports recruiting websites but Lengyel has similar measurables to the current starting left tackle. Texas’ offensive line recruiting has been able to find diamonds in the rough over the years.

A commitment in the coming days could make two offensive linemen for Texas is a week. Hayden Connor is the only blue-chip tackle the Longhorns currently have. However, Texas is looking to prove Hand can develop not as highly ranked recruits into NFL quality players.

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Broncos will ask Elijah Wilkinson to step up — again

“Eli made a lot of progress last year,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said.

Elijah Wilkinson will be asked to step up this season, just as he was last year.

When starting right tackle Ja’Wuan James went down last season, Wilkinson — the backup swing guard/tackle — replaced him. James ended up dressing for just three games in 2019 and Wilkinson started 12 contests as an injury fill in.

This year, Wilkinson will be asked to fill in again after James decided to opt out of the 2020 season. If James had decided to play, Wilkinson would have competed with Garett Bolles for the starting left tackle job.

Given that Wilkinson has spent his career at guard and right tackle, Bolles would have been the clear favorite on the left side. Now Wilkinson will be the clear favorite to start on the right side.

“I thought Eli made a lot of progress last year throughout the season,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said during a Zoom conference call on Aug. 4. “He ended the last game and a half where he hurt his ankle.

“As it relates to Eli, it’s a good thing for him personally because now he gets to go back to the position that he spent 800-900 snaps at last year and all the practice that goes with that. From his perspective, it’s a good thing.”

Wilkinson was penalized six times and allowed eight sacks last season, according to STATS LLC. Denver will need him to improve on those numbers for the offensive line to take a step forward in 2020.

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