Bronx, N.Y. – As we continue to breakdown the 2023 Fordham football squad, we move to the Rams upfront, the offensive line.
The good news for the Rams is that they return four of the five starters from 2022, a line that helped Fordham lead the NCAA FCS in passing offense (413.8 yards/game) and total offense (608.9 yards/game). The 2022 Fordham offense also led the Patriot League and ranked second in the NCAA FCS in scoring offense (49.5 points/game) and lead the League and ranked third in the NCAA FCS in first downs (357).
Leading the returning starters is preseason All-Patriot League pick
Lucas Portes. The graduate student started every game at left guard last fall when he was named Second Team All-Patriot League.
Other returning starters for the Rams are seniors
Ryan Joyce and
Cody Johnson, and junior
David Evbomenya. Joyce, a three-year starter, started all 12 games last year at right guard for the Rams while Johnson served as the starting center last fall after moving over from the defensive line. Evbomenya was a mainstay at right tackle last year where he started every contest.
Other returning players with experience include seniors
Nolan Aloia, who appeared in four games last year for the Rams,
Patrick Barr, who missed last year with an injury, and junior
Hank Perry, who saw action in four games as a sophomore in 2022.
Other returning linemen include sophomores
Duke Leonard, who appeared in two games as a freshman;
Kevin Loughlin, who also saw action in two games as a rookie;
Kurt Plakans, who did not see action last year;
Mike Smallenberger, who did not see action as a freshman; and
John Michael Talanges, who played in a pair of games his freshman season.
The offensive line welcomes a number of newcomers in 2023, including freshmen
Thomas Cornett, who played at The King's Academy in Palm Beach, Florida, last year;
Mason Dietrich, a First Team All-Long Island selection at Chaminade High School on Long Island;
Owen Duetsch, who played last year at St. Thomas More in Oakdale, Connecticut;
Collin Gerger, an Honorable mention
Chicago Sun-Times All-Area team selection at St. Rita of Cascia High School in Illinois;
Dylan Haines, who earned League Offensive Lineman of the Year honors in 2022 at Harrison High School in Harrison, N.Y.;
Shane Hughes, an All-Middlesex County performer at Old Bridge High School in Old Bridge, N.J. last year, and
Colin Van Rooy, a First Team Division 1 All-Ohio and First Team All-Area selection at Strongsville High School in Strongsville, Ohio.
