GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Every card carrying fan of Furman Football has had eight months to ponder what he or she might expect to see from the Paladins this fall.  A good barometer might be the offensive line, which is looking to re-energize Furman's traditionally potent ground attack in 2025.

The return of four starters and the addition of a couple of graduate transfers has upped the experience level from a year ago, leaving head coach Clay Hendrix optimistic about his front's prospects.  All told the Paladins count 19 offensive linemen in the program heading into preseason practice.

"I'm excited about this group," said Hendrix on Thursday.  "A year ago we had a number of new faces and guys with a little experience but not much starting experience.  It was pretty much that way for our entire team.  After  watching them in the spring we are clearly better, and I hope that continues as we begin preseason practice.

"The leadership we've received from our veteran corps has been good, and we've added a couple of older guys we think will help us.  We were also able to redshirt players who are still in our program, and we signed a couple of good young guys."

The four returning starters include Luke Petit (6-3, 285, R-Sr.), Eli Brasher (6-4, 288, R-Jr.), Chris Luna (6-3, 298, R-So.), and Ryan Lamb (6-2, 289, R-Sr.).

Petit, a 2024 All-Southern Conference selection and recent Stats Perform Preseason All-America pick, owns 17 starts and 1,066 play participations in his Paladin career, which has seen him post starts at guard, center, and tackle, though guard is his primary position.

"Luke has played all five positions for us.  I'm not sure I've ever had a guy do that," said Hendrix.  He's primarily an inside guy."

Brasher, a coaches' preseason All-SoCon selection, moved into the starting lineup a year ago, earning nods at left tackle in 10 games before sitting out the season finale at Mercer with an ankle injury.  The 685 plays he registered in 2024 should serve him and the Paladins well this fall.

"Eli is bigger and stronger now and certainly more experienced.  We're counting on him this year."

Luna was another first-time starter a year ago who should benefit from the experience gained through seven starts and 524 play participations at center.

"Chris had never played center until he got here.  The natural maturation that has taken place with him, combined with his work ethic, should make us significantly better at that position than we were a year ago."

Lamb is versatile and is Furman's most experienced offensive linemen in terms of games played (23).  Mirroring Brasher and Luna, he was also cast into the role as a new starter in 2024, earning 10 nods at right guard and 702 play participations.

"Ryan is a fifth-year guy who has played a lot of football for us.  He had an off-season foot surgery but was able to take part in spring practice.  We look for a big year out of him."

Rounding out Furman's probable starting five is Jaydon Collins (6-6, 310, Gr.), a graduate transfer tackle from Wake Forest and Greer, S.C, product.

"Jaydon solidified himself at right tackle in the spring," said Hendrix.  "He has a big body, is long, and is smart.  He came in and adapted well to what we want to do.  He's really solid and makes us better there."

Among the top competitors expected to push for playing time are tackles Davis Watson (6-6, 293, Gr.) and Chase Gregorek (6-4, 280, R-Fr.) and guards Steven O'Dell (6-7, 307, R-Fr.) and Noah Akinsola (6-5, 295, R-Fr.).

"Watson is a graduate transfer from Cornell who was limited in the spring after undergoing surgery but has been full-go since early summer.  It will be interesting to see how he is going to do full-speed.  I think he will give us depth at tackle."

Watson registered 11 starts at left tackle over two seasons at Cornell.

"Chase and Steven were number two guys on our depth chart a year ago who we were able to redshirt.  It's tough for offensive linemen to play as true freshmen.  They had some growing pains, but we're pleased with their development and look for them to play bigger roles.  They are in a different spot than they were a year ago."

Akinsola played center a year ago but is now a guard.  

"We're pleased with Noah's progress.  He's come a long way and has good length and size.  He's also a really bright young man."

The Paladins have versatility at center behind Luna, with Petit and Lamb having both seen some action there, but Hendrix says newcomer Brady Smith (6-2, 285, Fr.) is one to keep an eye on.

"Brady was been impressive this summer.  He played for Ingle Martin (Furman Hall of Famer) at Christ Presbyterian Academy, a high level program in Tennessee, and it looks like he might fight to get in there at center."

Jackson Gagnon (6-3, 266, R-Fr.) moved to center in spring and "played a good bit," according to Hendrix, who  indicated Parker Solano (6-2, 285, R-Fr.), another center on the roster, will not play this fall after undergoing surgery this summer.

Hayden Garner (6-5, 303, R-So.) will also battle to get into the mix at guard.

In addition to Brady Smith at center, two other first-year players and local products "stand out," says Hendrix.  They include Hunter Taylor (6-6, 290, Fr.), a tackle from Greenville High School, and Hillcrest High School guard Bryce Rainwater (6-4, 300, Fr.).

Four other newcomers include tackles Edwin Gaulding (6-7, 302, Fr.), a mid-year enrollee from IMG Academy, and Harris Jenne (6-5, 260, Fr.), and guards Chase Polivchak (6-5, 290, Fr.) and Danny Stein (6-4, 294, Fr.).

"They have all shown they have ability.  It just boils down to how quickly they adapt.  There are limited reps in the fall, but we think they all have a chance at a good future here."