VIDEO: Mike Turner Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – – This is the first in an eight-part series that will break down what Carson-Newman football brings to the table for the 2015 season position by position.  Today's preview features the Eagles' offensive line with offensive coordinator Mike Turner.   

Yes, the Eagles lose All-American Robby Ignagni at this position, but Mike Turner's group is as veteran as they come.

"They had a great summer," Turner said. "I'm proud of their effort, their togetherness and their excitement. They have a genuine care for each other that's fun to work with.  We've had great offensive linemen come through this program.  But this is 2015 and it's another year for the Eagles."

Preseason first team All-SAC pick Tyler Scott, second team pick Dan Gallman, center Derek Evans and guard Austin Lewis all have a bevy of starting experience. Meanwhile Patrick Priest, the Eagles new guard to replace Ignagni, has provided spot starting duty when others have gone down to injury in seasons past. 

"Dan and Tyler are very aggressive," Turner said. "We expect great things from them because they know the system and because they know we've got a long way to go before we get to where we want to be."

Evans and Gallman are competing for the best beard in the South Atlantic Conference while Priest has the best mustache in the nation.  Facial hair aside, this group's collective experience features 54 combined starts.  Evans is tied with his quarterback, De'Andre Thomas for the longest consecutive start streak among members of the offense at 23 games. 

Evans wrapped up his junior season with a grade of 67.6 and 11 knockdowns.  He graded out as a 73, his high for the year, on three occasions against Edinboro (9/4), Brevard (9/20) and Mars Hill (10/4).  He had a career best three knockdowns in the mud against Tusculum (10/18).

"Derek brings a big strong body that can move," Turner said. "He's worked to learn the position. He has special calls and techniques that he has to take care of.  He'll go a long way in determine the success of our football team.  It helps too that there's a difference between the space taken up on the bus between he and (Jacobs Blocking Trophy and Rimmington Award winning Carson-Newman center) Kevin Day (who was 50 pounds shy of his listed 270-pound playing weight). Derek sees that Rimmington Award on this wall every day, and that's something that's good to motivate him."

Scott graded out at 70 or above in eight of the Eagles 10 games and produced a knockdown in every game. He had two knockdowns against Tusculum (10/18) and a season-high grade of 75 against Mars Hill (10/4).

Meanwhile, Gallman had the highest single game grade ever recorded by a Carson-Newman offensive lineman on Mike Turner's 80-point scale. He scored a 79 in the mud against Tusculum (10/18). He had multiple knockdowns against both Wayne State (9/13) and the Pioneers.

Ben Clark and Hunter Priest will also feature prominently in the rotation while freshmen Jacoby Jackson, Bailey Feathers, Tyler Price and Burt Dailey could also enter the mix.

Carson-Newman football's position previews resume Monday with C-N's quarterbacks and Don Woods.