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GoFrogs.com continues its preview of the 2012 TCU football team with a look at the offensive line.
Right guard Blaize Foltz (6-4, 310, Sr.) and center James Fry (6-3, 305, Sr.) are the returning starters.
Foltz, a first-team all-conference selection last season, appears on watch lists for the Rotary Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. With a bench press of 580 pounds and a squat of 800, Foltz's efforts in the weight room earned him a spot as one of 10 players on CBSSports.com's "Freak List" for superior workout habits and displays of athleticism.
Yahoo! Sports placed Foltz on its All-Bowl Team after his performance in last year's Poinsettia Bowl victory over Louisiana Tech.
Fry had a solid season in his first year as a starter after replacing 2010 Rimington Trophy winner Jake Kirkpatrick. Fry appears on this year's Rimington Trophy Watch List.
Tayo Fabuluje (6-7, 315, So.) entered fall camp as a projected starter at one of the tackle positions. A Euless, Texas, native, Fabuluje sat out the 2011 campaign after transferring from BYU.
True freshmen Aviante Collins (6-6, 310, Fr.) and Halapoulivaati Vaitai (6-6, 305, Fr.) have impressed in camp and are in the mix for immediate playing time at tackle.
A pair of other rookies in Chad Childs (6-5, 280, Fr.) and Joey Hunt (6-3, 285, Fr.) are at center behind Fry.
Eric Tausch (6-3, 300, Jr.) started one game at center last season and is arguably the most versatile member of the offensive line. He can be utilized in multiple positions.
Michael Thompson (6-5, 352, So.) is a promising young lineman who, like Tausch, can play in a variety of spots. Thompson saw action at center and offensive tackle in six games last season before being sidelined by injury.
Trevius Jones (6-5, 315, Sr.) and John Wooldridge (6-5, 310, Jr.) are veterans and returning lettermen who will compete at the guard position.
Brady Foltz (6-4, 300, RFr.), Jamelle Naff (6-4, 311, RFr.) and Bobby Thompson (6-6, 310, RFr.) redshirted last fall and provide depth on the offensive line.
BY THE NUMBERS:
1- Sets of brothers (Blaize Foltz, Brady Foltz) on the TCU offensive line
3- National awards that include TCU offensive linemen as candidates (Blaize Foltz, Rotary Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy; James Fry, Rimington Trophy)
4- Former TCU offensive linemen active in the NFL (Marcus Cannon, New England; Marshall Newhouse, Green Bay;Herb Taylor, Green Bay; Michael Toudouze, San Diego)
28- Career starts by TCU offensive linemen (Blaize Foltz 15, James Fry 12, Eric Tausch 1)
37 - Years of collegiate coaching experience by TCU offensive line coach and assistant head coach Eddie Williamson