24 Players in 24 Days: #24 Mark Nabou Jr.

Position: Offensive line
Classification: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Lynnwood, WA
Listed Height: 6-4
Listed Weight: 325 lbs.

Key notes from Olin’s thoughts on Nabou

• I think Mark Nabou Jr. is going to be higher on this list before the season is over. He started 11 games at guard and another at center last year. He scored a touchdown vs. LSU. Remember that one-yard run?
   
• I think Nabou is going to be one of the guys who can combine the experience gained last year plus the new offensive coordinator and the new strength coach to make him a better football player.
   
• I have two questions for Nabou. What position is he going to play? I assume it will be at center. The second will be: How good is he going to be? He’s going to be better, but how big will the leap be?
   
• Does he find his way into the starting lineup at guard? He’s a big, strong guy. I haven’t seen him yet, but a lot of the guys look more defined. I know Tommy Moffitt has been talking about making all of them stronger. Nabou was already a strong guy.
   
• Presumably, Trey Zuhn III will play left tackle, and Ar’maj Reed-Adams will be at left guard, but I’m sure Kam Dewberry will have something to say about that. The center position will presumably be Nabou or Kolinu’u Faaiu. I would assume Chase Bisontis will be at right guard, with either Dametrious Crownover or Reuben Fatheree II at right tackle. Who will be one of those guys that emerges as a starter? It happens every year. The depth is much better than last year.
   
• I rate an irate offensive line higher. They’re angry, according to Zuhn. I like offensive linemen with a defensive lineman’s disposition, like Steve McKinney, who came here as a defensive end but moved to the offensive line. He was a badass and one of the best they’ve ever had here. I get defensive linemen are ferocious, but the guys I want to be the toughest and dirtiest are my offensive linemen. They also have to be smart. You can’t play offensive line and be an idiot.
   
• I liked Bryce Foster, but we’ve said this before: There was a question as to how dedicated he was to football. I had heard from a reliable source that he didn’t show up much in the spring, and I know he was hurt and doing track. It was one of those deals where they had a guy in Nabou that they thought was better than Foster.
   
• I was so excited when Nabou committed to Texas A&M. I love the guy.
   
• I expect more from Nabou this season.
   
• I think he’ll be better. Last year was his first year as a starter. Think about Edgerrin Cooper. What was he in his first year vs. his second? A lot of guys are better in their second year. The difference in coaching and the difference in training will also play a factor. You should see him make a big jump.