Returning a combined 34 starts from last season, the Louisiana Tech offensive linemen enter the 2023 season with the most experienced position group on the Bulldogs roster.

"Our group has done an excellent job of focusing on the details throughout this fall camp," offensive line coach Nathan Young said. "We are trying to become a together unit that is physical and set the bar this camp."

The LA Tech offensive line helped the Bulldogs rush for over 100 yards in eight games last season while protecting the quarterback in a passing offense that ranked 33rd nationally at 267.2 yards per game.

With most of the offensive line returning, left guard Bert Hale believes that the Bulldogs have made significant strides in the spring and summer and are much further along than where they were last year.

"We have a lot of guys back, so we are way farther along than we left off last year," Hale said. "We are helping out the new guys that we brought in and teaching them along the way. Overall, we have been rolling as a unit this camp so far."

Center Abraham Delfin was granted a seventh year of eligibility after missing the final nine games last season due to a leg injury he suffered game three of the 2022 season at Clemson. The 2023 Wuerffel Trophy nominee has made 25 career starts. Delfin appeared and started in all 12 games at center during the 2021 season, helping anchor an offensive front that ranked in the top half of the conference in scoring offense (28 ppg), passing offense (262.6 ypg), passing touchdowns (22) and completion percentage (.602).

Delfin is grateful for the opportunity to play one final season in red and blue and believes his experience will help elevate him and his teammates on the playing field.

"I love these guys," Delfin said. "It is fun playing with them. Being out here in fall camp and playing the game is fun. Sometimes you lose the appreciation for it. Being out here now, I am grateful for the extra year of eligibility. With the knowledge that I have picked up over the years, I can see everything a little slower and pick up reads a lot quicker because of my experience."

Tech returns both their starting tackles from 2022. Dakota White (Left Tackle) and Carson Bruno (Right Tackle) started all 12 games at their respective positions last season. Hale (Left Guard) and Ray Kelly (Center) are also among the returnees who made multiple starts a year ago.

Bruno burst onto the scene in 2022, earning Conference USA All-Freshman honors as a redshirt freshman. Young believes the Shreveport native has a high ceiling and some of his best football ahead of him.

"He is still only two years into playing offensive line," Young said. "He has a lot of good football in front of him and has done a great job so far. Carson wants to be very focused, driven and plays with extreme effort. Everything from an athleticism standpoint that he had as a defensive lineman in the past, he wants to take over to this side of the ball."

The Bulldogs lost starters with the graduation of Joshua Mote (Left guard) and Isaac Ellis (Right Guard). Jerren Gilbert is expected to play right guard for the Bulldogs this season, while Landon Nelson (Left Guard) and Elijah Bowser (right guard) can also provide depth and flexibility. Other returnees include Kenneth Bannister, Caleb Billiot, Brett Canis and Biron Rossell.

"There is no replacement for experience, and we have four starters coming back," Young added. "Abraham Delfin is back for his seventh year. He has anchored us in the middle. We have Dakota White at left tackle, Bert Hale at left guard, and Carson Bruno at right tackle. We have a lot of guys with a lot of starts. It is nice to have some continuity throughout this camp. We feel like we were able to pick off where we left off in the spring. Jerren Gilbert did a good job at right tackle, securing that, and the guys are really coming on. It has been a fun camp so far."

The Bulldog offensive linemen will continue to build throughout fall camp as they prepare for their week zero Conference USA showdown with FIU on Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. inside Joe Alliet Stadium when Louisiana Tech opens its 120th season of collegiate football.

"The way things went there last year, it left a sour taste in our mouth, and we have had that game marked on the schedule for a long time, so we can't wait to get out there and put on a performance at The Joe," Hale said.