GREENVILLE, S.C. -- When Clay Hendrix was introduced as Furman's new head coach in December of 2016, fans knew the Paladin offensive front was going to be a point of emphasis for the proven line mentor, and right on cue he and offensive line coach and run game coordinator Peter Lusk have delivered as projected.

 A 17-man group, composed of 10 players with experience, including eight who have started games, returns all five regulars off last year's Southern Conference championship team.  That combination, when joined with an impressive core of young players, paints a bright picture for Furman in 2019.

"The personnel wasn't really suited for what we wanted to do when we got here, so it's taken a little time to work thru that," said Hendrix earlier this week.  "We had to shuffle some guys around, like Jordan Harris coming over from defense and Caleb Auer moving from tight end, and add some guys to the point that now I like our personnel and our experience there.

 "We've been a different group over the first several days of practice.  We're a lot more confident and athletic — something we had targeted from the start — and Andre (Bernardi) has done a great job with them in the weight room in the offseason.  We're bigger, stronger, and a lot better looking now.  Plus, we finally have some competition.  I'm excited about this group."

At center the Paladins return junior Cole Neely (6-3, 283, Jr.), who played in nine games and made eight starts a year ago while racking up 532 snaps.

"Cole was probably a guy we should have redshirted our first year (2017), but we couldn't because of where we were at the time from a depth standpoint. He had a good offseason and continues to get better."

Pushing Neely at center is freshman Evan Jumper (6-4, 262, Fr.), the one newcomer along the offensive line who has the most potential to make an impact this fall.

"The thing about Evan is he was an early (January) enrollee.  We got him in here, and he went thru spring practice and has put on 25 pounds.  Right now he's basically neck and neck with Cole and certainly appears to be a guy we will be able to count on."

There are three guards with notable experience — Jordan Harris (6-4, 303, R-Jr.), Reed Kroeber (6-4, 302, R-Jr.), and Bo McKinney (6-7, 307, R-So.).  Harris registered nine starts at right guard in 2018 and totaled 545 plays. Kroeber, the most veteran of the trio, owns 22 starts in his career, including two at center a year ago. McKinney, meanwhile, logged 300 plays and made three starts at guard last year. 

"Jordan played guard last year for the first time since high school.  He played like that at times, but I've already noticed a difference in him.  He has confidence, and he's always been a physical player who likes to compete.  It was just a matter of him learning the position, which he has done.  I think he will be really solid for us.  

"Reed's played a lot of football, mostly at guard but also some at center.  He's smart and has done a lot of good work in the weight room.

"Bo is an athletic player who has changed his body as much as anybody we have over the last two years.  He started a few games a year ago out of necessity even though he wasn't really ready for that."

Three others in the picture at guard include Cody Wyatt (6-2, 268, Sr.) and a pair of newcomers, Jacob Johanning (6-3, 265, Fr.) and Dan Dodd, III (6-4, 285, Fr.).

"Jacob and Dan are two of the strongest guys we've recruited and can compete physically right now."

The tackle slots are in solid hands with five players, three of whom boast quality experience.

The leader is left tackle Bo Layton (6-7, 287, R-Jr.), a consensus first team All-SoCon pick a year ago following a season that saw him start in all 10 games and register 574 plays.  A biology major who sports a 3.68 GPA, he delivered quality performances in a pair of key victories last fall, including a season high eight knockdowns in a 34-14 triumph over Wofford and a grade of 95 percent in the Paladins 35-30, SoCon title-clinching road victory over Mercer.

"Bo is a guy we can really count on and is clearly our best offensive lineman.  He's had a really good preseason so far, and we've already seen a difference in him over last year when he was pretty good.  He's put in a lot of hard work in the offseason.

"The rest of the spots on our depth chart are up for grabs and can change daily.  We have options and that's coming from competition, which is good to see."

Andy Godwin (6-4, 283, R-Sr.), a second team all-conference pick in 2018 despite missing the last two games with a torn labrum, is back in the mix at right tackle after sitting out spring practice due to rehabilitation.  In terms of games played (32) and plays (1,108), he ranks second only to Reed Kroeber in terms of career experience.

Godwin's injury a year ago gave Caleb Auer (6-3, 266, Sr.) a pair of starts, and he delivered with strong outings in road victories over VMI and Mercer.  He has appeared in 19 games and owns 454 play participations in his career.

Ross Detamore (6-4, 263, R-So.) and Anderson Tomlin (6-5, 275, R-Fr.) will also compete for action at tackle after getting their first taste of action in 2018.