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Despite inconsistency, players show improvement on WVU offensive line

West Virginia offensive lineman Zach Frazier (54) has been among the Mountaineers' top performers up front in 2020.
West Virginia offensive lineman Zach Frazier (54) has been among the Mountaineers' top performers up front in 2020. (Jay Janner/USA Today)

There hasn’t been much consistency on the West Virginia football team this season, and the offensive line is no exception.

Through eight games this season, the Mountaineers sit with a record of 5-3. The offensive line has only allowed 15 sacks all season — fifth in the conference — but the lack of consistency has resulted in countless problems on game day.

It hasn’t all been a loss. If anything, according to head coach Neal Brown, the team’s young group of protectors has shown a tremendous amount of growth since the beginning of the season.

Brandon Yates has been one young Mountaineer to find his way into the starting lineup. A redshirt freshman, Yates has started each of the last five games. He seems to have a lock on the left tackle position after Junior Uzebu announced that he was entering the transfer portal.

Yates has consistently graded out around 60 in both run blocking and pass blocking, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s only allowed one sack all season — a critical statistic for the protector of Jarret Doege’s blind side.

Despite only earning a 50 offensive grade against TCU, Brown says that Yates has been trending in the right direction.

“[He] played his best game,” Brown said after the Texas game. “Really did a nice job. Pleased with how he’s played really for the last month.”

Anchored to Yates’ right — at the left guard position — has been freshman Zach Frazier, a Fairmont native who opened the season in the starting lineup and has rarely been off of the field.

Frazier commandeered the starting role from sophomore James Gmiter, who ultimately missed some time this season due to COVID-19. Both players have been among the team’s top blockers, according to PFF.

The team’s depth at up front has been a factor this season, but really not due to the pandemic. Instead, the team’s youth and inexperience has resulted in adjustments.

To this point, 15 different Mountaineers have taken a snap at any of the offensive line’s five positions this season. For many of them, their play thus far has been the only meaningful playing time they’ve had at West Virginia.

Jordan White, a freshman from Maryland, has only played in two games, but grades out as the highest performing WVU lineman. Being a freshman, Brown says that White has been improving his strength.

Parker Moorer is another, and he has played in three games this season. According to PFF, he is the team’s second-worst blocker in pass protection, but has been among the best upfront in the run game.

“Parker Moorer is getting better and getting closer to ready to play,” Brown said following the Texas game. “I think he has a bright future here.”

Brown, who is in only his second year as the team's head coach, continues to push the mantra of continued improvement.

“Our communication is better, I think our chemistry is better,” Brown said. “We’re better up front than we were a year ago. Now, I don’t think we’re at a point where we want to be or where we envision us getting to, but we’re better.”

To compare the offensive grades of WVU's offensive linemen from each week so far this season, click here.

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