×
×
homepage logo
SUBSCRIBE

Bos, Whitworth anchor Weber State offensive line with unprecedented experience

By Brett Hein - | Aug 23, 2021

In this Oct. 6, 2018, photo, Weber State offensive linemen Ty Whitworth (75) and Ben Bos (71) block Northern Arizona defenders during a Big Sky Conference game in Flagstaff, Ariz.

OGDEN — The free, or extra, year of eligibility given to college athletes who competed during the 2020-21 school year due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is going to rewrite record books across the country over the next several years.

For example, the record for career games played in the Weber State men’s basketball program currently resides with Jordan Richardson (2010-14), who played in 132 games. Current senior Michal Kozak, running it back with Cody Carlson and Dontay Bassett in a second senior season, has played 119 career games and, with good health, could add more than 30 games to that total to take him across 150.

For Weber State football, it’s going to boost a few players to the top of Mr. Wildcat mountain. Though historical stat keeping around mere games played is not as complete in football, it’s believed Jonah Williams (2016-19) currently holds that crown at 54 games.

Along with current defensive lineman Jared Schiess (47 games), senior offensive linemen Ty Whitworth (48) and Ben Bos (47) are poised to push that number near unreachable heights (though sophomore Noah Atagi and some younger defensive backs could later catch up). Whitworth has not missed any games in his career.

Along with Whitworth, Bos has started at center in almost every notable game under head coach Jay Hill. It’s a position that includes knowing the offense intimately in order to call out protections once the O-line sees how the defense is lined up, and changes protections if the quarterback audibles to a different play.

In 2017, Bos started at center and WSU claimed its first playoff win in nine years, and only its third-ever playoff win. Any time Weber State has made history with a new highest ranking, deepest playoff run, first home playoff game, or winning multiple playoff games in a season, or winning four straight conference titles, Bos has been at center.

“One of the things he really does a good job of is setting the blocking schemes in the run game and setting the protections in the passing game. He’s really good at it because he has so many reps in it. That is huge for us so we make sure we’re blocking the most dangerous threats in the box, from the edge, based on the blitz looks we get,” offensive line coach Brent Myers said. “He’s really good at changing protections when the quarterback changes something.

“He’s kind of a quiet kid but yet really good in calling those protections and calling the runs, and where we want to take the run based on the style of run we have. Very, very few mistakes in his career at that.”

The aforementioned Atagi returns for a third season at the all-important left tackle spot (all of WSU’s quarterbacks are right-handed). Myers lauds Atagi for his athleticism and smarts, and says he should be an all-conference player.

“He probably expects more than I do, he’s a big-time high achiever. Academically, football, the guy is a really focused dude and I expect him to have a fine season,” Myers said.

Though it seems sure Atagi will be at left tackle, Bos at center and Whitworth at right guard, Myers noted his philosophy is to play his best five available offensive linemen, regardless of what might be considered their natural position, in the case of injury. Most are trained to play at least two positions (guard or center, guard or tackle, or left or right tackle).

With that, Myers said he’s eyeing sophomore Ethan Atagi, Noah’s brother who transferred from BYU, to likely start at left guard, which he did in the spring after starting at right tackle in the opener. Ethan Atagi moved to left guard for four contests after junior Hyrum Tapusoa got hurt. Tapusoa is one of a couple experienced upperclassmen who decided to move on from football after the spring season and graduation.

Myers called Ethan an enthusiastic, great-attitude leader who is his “stop-gap” to move around the line if injuries occur.

Sophomore Jordan Lutui has moved from defense to offense and will be in the mix at the right tackle spot, Myers said.

Sophomore George Barrera started five games in the spring with injuries requiring his services, acquitted himself well in those games, and has continued to grow.

“He’s just skyrocketed in his improvement. He’s played very well. I was very proud of the way he played in the playoff game,” Myers said.

Both Atagi brothers missed that playoff game, which gave sophomore Trevor Szilagyi his first career start at right guard, so Myers named him, sophomore Meleke Tauteoli and freshman Hunter Scott as “kids who are running with the twos who I’m not afraid to play in a game. We’re developing more depth, which is what you want.”

Snow College transfer Cormac Boyer is also on the radar, though the center is still learning the offense. The former Roy High lineman played last season at Snow but, due to the free year, will be a true freshman with a redshirt available. It sounds like WSU would prefer to limit his action and redshirt him, setting him up for a potential four-year starting run like Bos has given.

“He’s an interesting player,” Myers said. “When you recruit high school linemen, most of the centers you have are kids who you turn into centers, they don’t have high school experience playing center. But Cormac does.”

Junior Creston Cooledge and freshman Braydin Shipp appeared on the two-deep during the spring, and they, along with towering sophomore Chinonso Opara, are among those pushing to get reps.

Freshmen Cole Casto, Jake Eichorn, Brennon Mangum and Spencer Watson are those likely learning the ropes and hitting in the weight room for their turns down the road.

Each offensive unit can help solve the red-zone woes the Wildcats experienced in the spring season, but improvement on the line looms large in that effort. Myers said that will come if each player can foster a heightened awareness of what changes when you get in the red zone.

“You have to take a mindset that the most difficult things are coming inside the 25-yard line because they don’t have to cover as long in the passing game. So we have to continue to doing a good job of blitz pickup, and picking up things in the run game so we can move some people,” Myers said. “You’ve got to know down and distance, and get a feel for what you’re going to see. That’s a big part of it for us as an O-line.”

Newsletter

Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)