Plenty of experience walked out the door when all five of the starting offensive linemen from last year's Saint Ignatius football team graduated in late May.
But these five bright student-athletes, along with the many linemen before them, left behind a culture of excellence.
Offensive Line Coaches Paul Yappel and Adam Rini '99 will look to build on this cultural foundation this season, constructing a cohesive and strong unit capable of powering the Wildcats' offense.
Fortunately for the Football Cats, experienced linemen do remain from last year's squad. All five starters graduated, but rising seniors Grant Abbott and Xavier Everett did see significant playing time last season. Abbott mixed in as a utility player, filling in when two-way linemen such as Jack Jamieson or Darian Kinnard needed a spell. Everett played some at left tackle and at guard to fill in when minor injuries struck.
Two rising juniors – Tony Georges and Nick Schwitzgebel – also made the varsity team as sophomores. These two are favorites for starting spots should they continue to have a strong camp.
Other names to watch include Seamus McCarthy, Seamus Cooney, and Owen Keane. McCarthy and Cooney, both seniors, have worked hard to master the techniques required and will likely see some time. Keane, at 6'3, 275 pounds as a junior, will be another Cat to watch as he develops.
All of these young men understand the culture of excellence in place, strengthened by the informal group known as the FOOLs (Fraternal Order of Offensive Linemen).
"The juniors and seniors have been in the program since they were freshmen, and that's when they get exposed to the culture," Yappel said. "In terms of the offensive line, they have that culture, be it JV or varsity, since they're all together. The younger guys learn from the older guys, and that gets passed on down. The culture has been established, so it's about continuing that culture."
The process of choosing starters will have to do in part with the culture. What players display the hardest work ethic? Which linemen demonstrate the best technique and know the offense the most thoroughly? Yappel and Rini will also be paying attention to how the line gels together, particularly during Friday's Jamboree game.
"The thing I look for is how they grow together and play well together," Yappel said. "With the offensive line, it's a position where five guys have to play as one unit. As they grow together, whatever five happen to be in there, that will help us be successful."
Thus far in camp, Rini and Yappel have been impressed with how hard the Wildcats have worked.
During line drills, any observer can see how hard the Wildcats are working to prepare for the season, be it on the sled, in 11-on-11 drills, or working with the medicine ball.
"Overall, the work ethic is stong with this group," said Yappel. "This goes back to the culture aspect. If they weren't working hard, they wouldn't be at that position. Collectively, if there's one thing I would emphasize, it's the five guys playing as one. We have to be a strong group. It's not always the five guys on the field, it's the guys who work hard all week in practice you may not see who play an important role in all of this."
Alumni Succeeding at the College Level
Three products of the culture of the FOOLs and the teachings of Rini and Yappel have impressed during camp this summer.
Liam Eichenberg, John Spellacy, and Darian Kinnard have all been the focus of media coverage and admiration from teammates and coaches.
"It's great for the program. We're trying to establish a baseline for what we expect from the offensive line," Rini said. "Since Paul and I have been together, we've established what we expect from the offensive line. Setting that tone for the 3 years we work with these guys, it establishes what we're trying to do, how we're going to do it, and then when they graduate, they have a nice baseline, and they go on and continue to get better. We're teaching techniques that a lot of guys are using in college, so that when they get to college, they're already doing much of they're doing in college."
Eichenberg earns his chance at ND
Following a couple seasons of watching from the sideline, Liam Eichenberg '16 has earned the starting gig at left tackle at Notre Dame.
As Rini says, Eichenberg won't let go of this opportunity.
"It's a factory at Notre Dame. They were the No. 1 offensive line in the country last year. He had to wait his turn, he was behind McGlinchey last year, and he had a little bit of shuffling between left tackle and right tackle. Now, he's the left tackle," Rini said. "Now that he has his opportunity, I don't think he's going to let go of it. He's an excellent player, he's got the length, he's got the arm reach, he's go the technique and his footwork is excellent. I think he'll be outstanding at Notre Dame."
Article on Irish Illustrated on Eichenberg
Spellacy serves as the glue of ECU OL
As a freshman last season, John Spellacy '17 was thrown into the fire at center at East Carolina University. By all accounts, Spellacy thrived in the role, despite a minor injury that sidelined him for a few seasons.
For Spellacy, heading into his second season, the key us technique.
"John is maybe the most technically sound offensive lineman I've ever coached," said Rini. "Obviously with being a 3-year starter, his footwork was the best. He was a technician. He worked on it all the time. His feet were amazing. When you work on it, and you get to college, it shows if you work on your craft. And he's a technician, there's no doubt about it. He's smart, too. If you're able to pick up the offense and you're sound in technique, you'll have the ability to play early. He had some injuries, and he jumped right in. He took the opportunity and ran with it."
Article on Hoist the Colours on Spellacy
Kinnard making good first impressions at UK
Following two excellent seasons as the starter at Saint Ignatius, Darian Kinnard '18 headed to the University of Kentucky this summer. The massive left tackle has done well so far in camp.
Teammates have noticed Kinnard's advanced development thus far.
"What we expect mentally, physically, and what we tech technically puts you ahead of the game when you get to college," Rini said. "With him, he's obviously got the strength, the length, the arm size, the ability to play at the next level. You add the technical part of that to it, and he should do well. It'll be the speed of the game, catching up to that SEC speed. Eventually, he'll be doing just great, too."