Tulane offensive line coach Atkins has emerging group up front

There is a close knit bond between offensive line coaches and the players that typically grows stronger every day.

The offensive line often lives in obscurity, except when a number is called over the public address system by the referee during a game because an infraction was committed. Offensive linemen play a position that does not chart glamour stats like catches, touchdowns and tackles. You have to be physically and mentally tough to man one of the five offensive line positions.

There are five notable factors which play into what an offensive line coach is seeking from his players – effort, controlled aggression, proper hand usage, consistency and a “Z” in the knee which indicates the ideal stance. When offensive linemen begin to straighten up, it is a clear indicator that fatigue has affected them.

For the most misunderstood position on the football field, it takes a special individual to coach that spot. For the run-oriented Tulane Green Wave, Chicago native Alex Atkins is that man. He has the proverbial “skins on the wall” as a player who was a four-year starter at Tennessee-Martin including two all-conference seasons.

As an assistant to head coach Willie Fritz at Georgia Southern prior to their arrival at Tulane, Atkins had a unit that delivered big. The Eagles led the nation with 54 total touchdowns, averaging 363 yards rushing per game. He helped lay out their road map to success.

The Wave averaged 228 yards on the ground with a 4.6 yards per carry in 2016, their first season under Fritz. Thus far this season, Tulane has upped the ante to 5.2 yards per carry and 244.2 yards per game on the ground. Keep in mind Tulane padded their stats with a 66-21 demolition of Southern last season and played No. 3 ranked Oklahoma earlier this year.

It appears the sun has been peeking through the clouds for the Tulane program since the ’17 campaign began. Fritz brought an option style offense that now has the perfect fit at quarterback, junior transfer Jonathan Banks. His backup Johnathan Brantley has represented himself well in reserve duty as well.

Last year’s primary starter behind center, Glen Cuiellete, tossed for 1,309 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. A more complete dual threat by comparison, Banks has completed 54.8 percent of his tosses for 301 yards with three scores and no interceptions.

A pair of senior runners have also performed well. Dontrell Hilliard has tallied 342 yards (5.8 yard average) and three touchdowns while the speedy Sherman Badie averages 7.8 yards per rush.

However, a successful running game is about more than just stats.

“Yardage is not the only barometer,” declared Atkins. “Yardage is hard to determine because we run the quarterback quite a bit with outside option. We’re expanding the offense which means you have to trust the (offensive) line. The telltale sign is that we are doing more run schemes. We’re still expanding the offense because we trust the guys up front more.”

In year two in the system, the Wave has players who are starting to gel together in the trenches.

“Continuity is what separates us from other position groups on the field. Everyone is important, but the offensive line is one of the only units where the left tackle has to know what the right tackle is doing. If the defense moves or shifts their front, the whole o-line has to communicate as to what’s exactly going on,” said Atkins.

Leadership is a key factor, of course. Atkins preaches “assignment, technique and effort” to his loyal troops everyday.

“There are certain characteristics that blend them together,” he explained. “Number one is natural leadership. We throw that term out there loosely, but it’s a guy that, when he says something, you automatically listen. People are drawn to that guy.”

Subtle improvements have been made in numerous areas from 2016 to 2017 that few outside the Tulane coaching staff might recognize.

“There are more little things this season, technique and fundamentals, the little things,” Atkins explained. “I’ve been with these guys two years now. I’m stressing the little things like hands, feet, hips, things that we’re getting better at technique wise. The thing that we don’t have is experience. We have four guys that haven’t started more than one year.”

But the young blockers are getting the job done. Tulane is fourth in the American Athletic Conference averaging 30:55 time of possession per outing, despite Army’s 40 minutes of possession in the Green Wave’s comeback win Sept. 23.

One player who has become the silent leader is redshirt junior right tackle John Leglue, a 6-foot-7 mauler out of Holy Savior Menard in Alexandria, La. A very cerebral competitor, he has graded out the highest among Tulane offensive linemen through the first four games at 85 percent.

“He doesn’t say much,” chuckled Atkins when discussing Leglue. “When he does say something, it’s usually something that we need to correct. He’s the most consistent. He’s played all five positions.

Leglue, who chose Tulane over offers from ULL, SLU, McNeese, Nicholls, UCA and Stephen F. Austin, started nine games at center last season. “He doesn’t say much,” Atkins said. “He shows it with his actions.”

The current starting center is Junior Diaz (6-2, 300), a redshirt junior who broke his leg against Navy in September last year. “He has confidence now and he’s ready,” said Atkins. Diaz was offered by Kentucky coming out of high school.

Tulane has assembled linemen from different backgrounds with different skills. They all have a common goal. Individual honors don’t matter.

“It’s a blue collar mentality. That’s the only way you can be,” said Atkins. “We get caught up in the play too much. As long as we’ve got the right guy on the right people with maximum effort, that’s all I’m looking for. That’s what we practice. When opportunity rises we’re prepared. Everything else will fall in place.”

Tulane’s victory over Army might be an early indicator just how far they’ve come. It was a matchup where the Wave made the biggest plays when necessary. Three fourth down conversions during their final 19 play, 75 yard drive literally took the game away from an experienced team of Cadets, returning 57 lettermen from a bowl team last season.

It was a boost to the confidence of this young Green Wave squad. The ability to step up with the game on the line is a source of pride for Atkins, but so is the character of his players.

“I love these guys. They check with me everyday to see if I’m ready to go. They make me stay on top of my game. Nobody cares what you did yesterday. It’s about what you’re doing right now. This business is about consistency. The most consistent teams are the best.”

Consistent winning may be on the way soon for Tulane.