5). RT – For the second season in a row, Gosder Cherilus and Ty Hall- two talented classmates- will be battling it out for the starting right offensive tackle position. Cherilus started every game in 2004, but he had problems with false starts which did not make the coaches happy. Hall was brilliant at times when he was on the field; he is more disciplined and may have better technique than Cherilus.
Cherilus is widely believed to be the most talented of the extremely skilled offensive line class brought in three years ago that also included Tom Anevski, Kevin Sheridan and Ryan Poles. But don’t forget about Hall, who was ranked by Scout.com as the number one offensive lineman in the state of Ohio. Cherilus was rated the number one lineman in the state of Massachusetts.
Both players showed their stuff in 2004, and Hall would already be a starter at most other programs in the ACC and probably the nation. Cherilus will most likely get the nod, but Ty Hall is not content being a back-up. Expect him to battle hard in camp for the starting job. Regardless both will see plenty of playing time, and there's a good chance both will be starting at offensive tackle in 2006 when LT Jeremy Trueblood graduates.
Stay tuned to EagleInsider.com for the rest of the top-five positional battles and exclusive interviews from this coming Friday's media day on the Heights.