MORGANTOWN -- West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez was asked on Tuesday if any position groups have stood out to him since the beginning of fall camp.
Rodriguez started rattling off a number of areas, one of which was the offensive line.
The Mountaineers have produced a series of high-level linemen who have gone on to play in the NFL, like Colton McKivitz, Zach Frazier and most recently Wyatt Milum.
The difference between the last few years and this season is the fact that so many players have hardly any valuable reps, which could lead to depth issues.
Twenty-one offensive linemen are listed on WVU's roster. Eight of those linemen have seen action up front in more than 10 games. Nick Krahe would've been the ninth member of that group, but he was used primarily on special teams last season.
Six of those linemen have played in more than 20 games, with three appearing in more than 30 -- Walter Young Bear, Malik Agbo and Ty'Kieast Crawford.
Seven freshman linemen have not yet seen action at the college level.
"The O-line probably has the least experience of all of them," Rodriguez said of the Mountaineers' position groups. "So, they had the furthest to go. They've done a really good job."
The returning WVU lineman with the most experience up front is redshirt junior Landen Livingston.
Livingston, an Indiana native, has appeared in 10 games for the Mountaineers, including seven last season.
Former South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Black Eagle Xavier Bausley has seen action in five games up front for WVU.
He even got a start against UCF, seeing a season-high 33 snaps.
Livingston has enjoyed being around this year's offensive line group and is confident heading into WVU's season opener against Robert Morris on Saturday.
"It's either proven right or wrong this season. Obviously, we got a lot of doubters, but I'm very confident in this group," Livingston said. "Throughout our connection building with each other, [we've] gotten closer with each other [and] is definitely something I'm very confident about and this group."
The offensive line, among other groups, have adopted Rodriguez's mantra of having a "hard edge."
That mentality, according to Livingston, has helped the group jell to get the best out of one another.
"It's having that 'hard edge' mentality," Livingston said. "[It's] trying to go out there and outwork our opponent."
WVU welcomes 11 new offensive linemen. Six have played in more than 20 games on the offensive line before transferring to Morgantown.
Finding chemistry can be tricky in the new world of the transfer portal, but Livingston doesn't see that being an issue.
"Obviously, we had a lot of guys come in from a lot of different areas," Livingston said. "But, right off the bat we really connected. [We] got workouts in the winter and now, obviously, carry to fall camp. We've done a good job of connecting off the field as well [by] going out to eat with each other and build that connection."
Five quarterbacks have been named as possibilities to see significant snaps, with Rodriguez not being afraid to play more than one in a game.
That hasn't swayed Livingston's perspective of each quarterback and how they can perform with the offense, especially with the line.
"They've really all done a great job, especially this offseason," Livingston said. "Building that connection with all of them, I think, is important. It definitely could be a difference, but they all have taken the mindset of going in there and getting the job done. That's a big advantage."
Livingston is expected to get the nod at center for the Mountaineers this season.
College football recently adopted a few rule changes that could benefit offensive linemen. For example, a defender simulating any action that would make a lineman get a false-start penalty is illegal.
"Oh, I love it," Livingston said. "It's a big advantage. [It's] something I definitely appreciate. [It was a] big tactic [for defenses] because you're listening for the cadence and stuff like that, and certain things can throw you off. This is definitely going to help."
