Editor’s note: This is part of a series previewing the 2014 Bryant Hornets football team heading into their season-opening game against the Benton Panthers in the annual Salt Bowl and War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock on Friday, Sept. 5.
File photo by Rick Nation and Kevin Nagle
There will be times when the Bryant Hornets really need the yard or two that Bryant head coach Paul Calley will line up senior left guard Caleb McElyea at 6-1, 310 with left tackle Cameron Davis at 6-4, 275 as always and add defensive tackle Cameron Murray at 6-2, 280, at tight end.
Caleb McElyea (Photo by Kevin Nagle)
“We ought to be able to move some people,” Calley stated.
Of course, Murray is the mainstay on the defense but with McElyea and Davis along with center Zach McConnell (6-0, 205), right guard Caleb Chaffin (6-1, 246), right tackle Devin Waite (6-2, 270) and tight end Jimbo Seale (6-0, 205) — all seniors — along with top back-up junior Brycen Waddle (6-6, 290), the Hornets may have their biggest offensive line ever.
And they may well prove to be as talented a group as any to wear Bryant blue in memory.
“I’ve got five seniors across the front that are pretty good football players,” Calley said of his core group.
Davis is being heavily recruited by Division I colleges. McElyea will probably be playing on Saturday next year as well, particularly because of his high ACT score.
“Cameron and McElyea have seen significant playing time in the past,” acknowledged Calley, who is the o-line position coach. “They’re stronger. They’re more mature. They’re seasoned now. They have that experience that’s so valuable.
“McConnell in the middle is not very big but he’s very consistent and smart,” he continued. “He’s just very dependable.
“Chaffin has really developed over the spring. Being in off-season has helped him tremendously. His understanding of the offense is a big plus for us because he knows what we’re doing and he’s figuring out how to get it done. Even though he is a little light at 245, 250, he can still be effective.
“Waite has re-established himself at right tackle. He’s the kind of guy that probably plays lower than the rest of them, which is a benefit to him. He does a really good job of staying with the block.
“Bryson Waddle, who played most of the spring at right tackle, is still going to play some at right tackle. Devin can play some guard if he has to. Bryson, as he matures and gets stronger, he’s going to get better and better each week. He played really good, I thought, in the scrimmage.”
The Hornets scrimmaged Pulaski Academy on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at War Memorial Stadium in a pre-season benefit game.
Calley had plans to use Seale in combination with Zach Jackson who started at times on the offensive line last season as a sophomore. But Jackson, a star pitcher for the Bryant baseball team, had to have “Tommy John” surgery on his right arm and will miss both seasons.
“Losing Zach Jackson at tight end hurt us but Jimbo Seale has improved,” Calley related. “He’s been very consistent, very smart. He understands what we’re trying to do. And Austin Fisher, who can also play guard, we’ve moved him to tight end to give us depth there and to play in our two tight-end sets.”
Asked about the back up at center, the coach said, “Chad Adams, who was a defensive lineman previously, has moved over to the offensive side. He’s become more consistent. He’s still learning. Early on, I think we’ll move McElyea to center, move Chaffin to left guard and put Waite at right guard and Waddle at right tackle.
Cole Fritschen is another big body at 6-4, 295,” he mentioned. “He still plays a little high but there may come a time when he has to help us. He’s got to continue to develop.
“I’ve got some other young guys that have a lot of potential. I just don’t think they’re Friday-night ready yet. Hopefully by mid-season, toward the end of the season, they’ll be ready if we have injury problems.
“But I feel pretty comfortable,” the coach concluded. “I think they all have an understanding. The young ones just can’t do everything we need them to do yet.”
