Longhorns O-Line Focused on 1 Thing: 'Make Quinn's Job Easier'
The Texas Longhorns allowed 19 sacks last season which was tied for the second fewest in the Big 12.
A big part — figuratively and literally — was then-freshman tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who stepped in and started from day 1 en route to being named a Second Team All-Big 12 selection. Banks, a Preseason Associated Press Second Team All-American, said his and the entire offensive line's responsibility is the same.
"I feel like our main job is trying to make Quinn (Ewers)' job easier and the running backs' job easier," Banks said. "Just to make sure we stay on our blocks and make sure we know what we're doing."
That's not a bad idea.
Ewers is Texas' prized possession, heading into this season as the engine that will make the Longhorns' offense go. The former No. 1 recruit in the 2021 recruiting class has yet to tap in to his full potential but it feels like he's set up to do so next season.
Not only does Ewers now have an extra year in head coach Steve Sarkisian's system under his belt, but he has weapons galore in Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whittington and Ja'Tavion Sanders among others.
Oh, and he has all five starting offensive linemen from a season ago returning.
Banks obviously went through a learning curve last season in his transition to college football, but he said Longhorns left guard Hayden Conner was always there to help him out.
"The hardest part is just having to learn the little things," Banks said. "Make sure you know what to do, how to do it and it made it a little bit easier because I had Hayden Conner next to me telling me every step of the way if I did mess up and letting me know, 'Hey, it's alright, just go to the next play.'"
It's no secret that offensive linemen take pride in having a successful ground game. Even after their success as a unit in 2022 and Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson going to the NFL, Texas' offensive line has a chip on its shoulder heading into 2023.
"It's definitely a thing in the O-line's mind just trying to prove people wrong and not let them think, 'Oh, just because two guys left it's not going to be the same run game,'" Banks said.
You can follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419
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