Part II... Austin came to Nicholls after graduating from LSU this summer and has one-year of eligibility remaining. Austin played in 12 games while at LSU and was used mostly as an extra blocker on short-yardage situations. He was also was a three-star recruit coming out of St. Augustine High School, and once he received his release from LSU, he received several offers but chose to transfer to Nicholls due to Rebowe and his staff. "From what I hear about last year and knowing it was an 0-12 team, my hat is off to Coach Rebowe and the team he is putting together and getting everyone hyped up. We have transfers, including myself, and great leaders on this team, and we are just getting everyone up. We want to do it for Coach Rebowe because he is the one watching over us. He is a new breed of coach and we are ready to work," Austin said. "I had options, and when I got my release, I got offers from Conference USA teams, Louisville and other big schools. But I remembered and knew coach Rebowe for some time now and I knew he and his staff took care of their players." While Rebowe beamed over Austin's play at left tackle, he was just as pleased with the first unit's performance as a whole. With senior center Brandon Holmes (6-3, 305) making the calls and guards Jared Breaux (6-2, 275, junior) and Brian Hernandez (6-1, 280, sophomore) and right tackle Chandler Arceneaux (6-4, 260, redshirt freshman) the offense rush for 251 yards in the scrimmage. Holmes, who is the undisputed leader of the group, said the new no-huddle offense helps the offensive line attack the defense and that has been the case in camp. "I like the tempo and it fits us better and we will catch teams off guard. Teams will not be able to scheme for us or blitz because we will be in a no-huddle, and it will help us out," Holmes said. "We got a lot better up front and the offensive line it getting better, and we have guys playing different positions and getting better every day. We have a lot of competition at guard and it is going to be a battle to see who wins those spots."
Part III.... Breaux is holding down the spot at left guard, while Hernandez is on the right side. Breaux said after the performance in the scrimmage, confidence is starting to build and he expects the offense will score points this season. Nicholls averaged 13 points a game last season. "That really gave us a boost of confidence, and we know what we need to do and how to execute. I think we are coming together and Jonah is new, but we are helping him and I am getting used to having him on one side and what he likes to do," Breaux said. "We have some depth on our line, and we don't have to switch people from tackle to guard now. We just line up and play, and we are moving pretty good." There is depth behind the starters at tackle with Blake Hartman (6-5, 270, sophomore) and James Sherrill (6-6, 320, senior) in the rotation and former starter Chris Bordelon (6-6, 315, senior) was recently cleared to practice after rehabbing an injury. At guard, the backups in the 2015 media guard are Hunter Alleman (6-4, 280, sophomore) and Hunter Hannegan (6-1, 240, senior). But Alleman is still rehabbing an injury from last season, and Hannegan missed the scrimmage due to a foot injury which gave younger players the opportunity to compete for their spots. Rebowe said he likes the talent and the depth on the offensive line, but he loves having Austin at left tackle protecting his quarterbacks. "We might have to put a couple of more guys on the left side, but (Austin) has been a pleasure. We do have others doing well and Chandler Arceneaux is doing well at right tackle and Breaux and Hernandez had good summers, but it all starts with Brandon Holmes at center. He brings some nastiness to this line," Rebowe said. "Austin has good feet and he makes the whole group better. He keeps asking us to run to the left side and that gives everyone a whole lot of confidence and Tuskani and Landry both enjoy it too."
