Returning core group of offensive linemen will help make things ‘smoother’ for Hampton offense, coaches say

Hampton University head football coach Robert Prunty will have the luxury of returning eight offensive starters from last year’s squad.

The Pirates are also entering their third season in offensive coordinator Zack Patterson’s system, something that will allow the offense to be more flexible.

“Now they’re veterans and they have I think a better understanding,” Patterson said. “We’re able to hone in on ‘this is what this guy does well,’ and so we’re able to cater the offense to the things that we do well as opposed to just running certain plays.”

Having that fluidity of returning several players in a consistent offensive system is exactly the continuity that the Pirates are looking for.

“Those guys have played together, they understand each other,” Prunty said. “That’s always when you get that continuity. You get guys working together (and) they’ve been doing it for a while …they’re getting that comfortability with each other.”

Just over half of those returning starters come at what Patterson said was arguably the most crucial position on the field in the Coastal Athletic Association: the offensive line.

“That was one of the things last year — we didn’t feel like we had a ton of depth up front,” Patterson said. “In the CAA, you got to be good on the O- and D-lines. We played a lot of young guys who were getting their first game experience, guys that were really battling for us, and now they’re a year better.”

J’Cori Shaw, Devaughn Orr, Tyler McDuffie, Quinton Ragland and Brandon Hardy make up the group of five Pirates returning on the offensive line.

“Bringing back a core of the offensive line that have played a lot of football for us, it just makes things a lot smoother,” Patterson said. “Those guys are what gets us going. If we can’t handle things up front, then we’re gonna struggle.”

While the aforementioned are all listed as returning starters on Hampton’s website, it should be noted that others could be in the mix to also earn a starting gig.

Pro Football Focus wasn’t kind when grading the Hampton run or pass-blocking game last year. Both aspects of the Pirates’ offense ranked last in the CAA. There were some bright spots, though, as the Hampton offense ranked No. 7 in the conference with 5.8 yards per play.

Prunty is confident two new additions to his coaching staff — offensive line coach Daryl Bullock and tight ends/offensive tackles coach Brad Bustle — will help the evolution of the offensive line.

“Those guys have been around football,” Prunty said. “I’m excited about them and what they’re gonna do. It’s been great, they’ve got a little edge with them. They’re gonna want these guys to be physical and attack people up front. They’re gonna want them to be tough. They’re two very demanding coaches and they’re doing an outstanding job with those guys.”

What Prunty likes the most about his returning offensive line, though, is the sheer physical capabilities.

“We shed some pounds,” Prunty said. “We look more athletic. We look like we can play better in space. They really have improved their feet; they’ve got good foot movement.”

The five returning offensive linemen average a whopping 6-foot-5 and 302 pounds. All but redshirt-senior Shaw are taller than 6-3.

McDuffie, a redshirt sophomore, is the biggest of the five returning starters and checks in at 6-8 and 315 pounds.

The Danville native isn’t the only tall offensive lineman as redshirt freshman Ademola Owudunni and redshirt sophomore Quintrell Coates are also 6-8.

Along with returning a core group of starters, Hampton also added two transfers to the on the offensive line. Freshman Carlos Moore comes to Hampton from CAA foe Elon and redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Orr transferred from Marshall.

Michael Sauls, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com, (757) 803-5774