Throughout fall camp, LetsGoPeay.com will take a look at each of the position groups as the Austin Peay State University football team goes through preparations for the 2020 season. Next up are the big guys up front – the offensive line. One of the best blocking units in the nation a year ago, the offensive line is one of the most veteran-packed groups on the Governors roster.

Despite losing First-Team All-Ohio Valley Conference tackle Kyle Anderton, the Governors offensive line may be the most experienced group on first-year interim head coach Marquese Lovings roster. The Govs return 51 of the 75 (68 percent) starts made by an offensive line that allowed an OVC-low 14 sacks, despite playing two more games than any other team in the league.

"When you walk in the room, you can certainly tell that there is some experienced and veteran guys that have played the position, which is encouraging," said first-year offensive line coach Mike Markuson. "When you consider Blake Mitchell, Bucky Williams, Caleb Florence, and Seth Johnson, those guys have played the game and you can tell that at practice. We have had some pretty physical practices and I am blessed to have been able to walk into a situation with some very good guys who have played the game before."

After transferring from Mississippi State following the 2018 season, Mitchell promptly earned a First-Team All-OVC selection in his first season as a Governor. With Mitchell leading the offensive line from the center position, the Govs set program records in total offense (6,288 yards), passing yards (3,594 yards), and rushing touchdowns (334) en route to an OVC Championship in 2019.

"Blake is a vocal leader and the thing that I love about him is that he has always got a smile on his face," Markuson said. "As a center, Blake is the quarterback of the offensive line, and he has got that. The thing about Blake is that he can direct everybody. He knows where everyone is supposed to be, he knows the adjustments, and that is what you want from a center. He is the quarterback of the guys up from and that is what is great about him."

While Mitchell may be the vocal leader of the front five, the duo of redshirt senior Caleb Florence and redshirt junior Seth Johnson are the longest tenured players in the offensive line room.

"Seth Johnson and Caleb Florence have done some great things as well," said Markuson of the duo. "It is encouraging when you have veterans who can help the younger guys along when they ask questions and such. They know Coach Zetts offense and they know the protections; the thing about veteran guys is that they just know the ins and outs of what happens out there on game day, and that is why they are so valuable."

Another Governor looking to build off a solid first season is redshirt sophomore Bucky Williams, who earned All-OVC Newcomer honors for the 2019 campaign. Williams anchored the Govs offense line, as one of two lineman to appear in all 15 games a year ago, starting 14 of them. When other members of the offensive line missed time due to injury, the versatile Williams did whatever necessary to make sure the opposition stayed out of the Governors backfield.

Garrett Bell, Gavin Campbell, Jacob Caughell, Colby McKee, and Nate Wellington round out the returners along the offensive line. Caughell appeared in two games in 2019, but he and Campbell each took advantage of redshirts for their freshman seasons. Bell and Wellington saw action off the bench in 2019, appearing in 12 and 14 games, respectively. McKee was moved all across the offensive line during his redshirt sophomore season, and even picked up a start in the Football Championship Subdivision Playoff game against Sacramento State.

"Garrett Bell has been playing tackle for us this year; he is a 6-4, 260-pound guy and he has got a great body for the position," said Markuson. "He is athletic and can move around; he is trying to feel his way through things in terms of what I want from him, but the expectation is being physical. Colby McKee has been playing backup center. Colby is a physical guy, he is just a tough Kentucky kid, and I love his attitude and hard work. He really just brings it to the table every day and loves playing football."

A not-so-newcomer to the Governors offensive line for the 2020 season is former tight end Elijah Brown. The senior from Talbott, Tennessee, joins Florence as a former tight end who has transitioned to the offensive line during his time at Austin Peay.

"Elijah Brown is a good player and a great effort guy, he played tight end for us last year, and we moved him to the offensive line for the upcoming season," Markuson said. "He is a great bender that plays with his pads out in front of him. He will strike you, he will move his feet, and he is very physical. He is a great kid and just works hard, the physicality that he brings to the group is really encouraging."

The newcomers on the Govs offensive line are headlined by Connecticut transfer Robert Holmes. Holmes appeared in 24 games over two seasons for the Huskies, and will begin his Austin Peay career as a redshirt junior.

"Robert is a big physical kid at 6-4, 330 pounds and he has really, really show some great things in practice," said Markuson. "He reminds me of a guy I coached at Ole Miss named John Jerry, who played in the NFL for about nine years. Robert has the same kind of frame and I have just encouraged him to keep going and being physical."

A quartet of true freshman round out coach Markuson's inaugural offensive line group as a Governor. In-state prospects Kenneth Allen and Michael Treadwell attended Cane Ridge High School and Powell High School, respectively, while JD Broussard attended East Limestone High School in Athens, Alabama, and Breant Kendall III prepped at Northmont High School in Dayton, Ohio.

"They are all learning my personality, what I like for them to do, and my expectations," said Markuson. "But the guys have got a great attitude and they come to work every day. They are attentive in meetings and we are just trying to get them fine-tuned for what is going on. We will get some great looks from our defense in terms of the physicality piece of it, so that is really good. It is just day by day and trying to get a better a little bit every day."

2020 Returnees / 2019 Stats

Garrett Bell (R-So.) / 12 games

Elijah Brown (Sr.) / 15 games (transitioned from tight end to offensive line)

Gavin Campbell (R-Fr.)

Jacob Caughell (R-Fr.) / 2 games

Caleb Florence (R-Sr.) / 15 games, 9 starts

Seth Johnson (R-Jr.) / 14 games, 13 starts

Colby McKee (R-Jr.) / 7 games, 1 start

Blake Mitchell (R-Sr.) / 14 games, 14 starts

Nate Wellington (Sr.) / 14 games

Bucky Williams (R.-So.) / 15 games, 14 starts

2020 Newcomers

Kenneth Allen (Fr.)

JD Broussard (Fr.)

Robert Holmes (R-Jr.)

Breant Kendall III (Fr.)

Michael Treadwell (Fr.)