First in a series of articles looking at the 2020 Rockets by position.

TOLEDO, Ohio – While the quarterbacks, running backs and receivers get most of the attention, the backbone of any good offense is its offensive line -- which makes Toledo's prospects for the 2020 season very positive indeed.

"Any time you head into the season, you hope that the offensive line is one of the strengths of your football team," said head coach Jason Candle. "Experience matters there more than any other position other than quarterback."

Toledo has plenty of experience on its offensive line, with a pair of All-MAC players among four returning starters. Center Bryce Harris, a second-team All-MAC pick in 2018, is a preseason candidate for the Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top center.  Harris missed the 2019 season due to injury but is back and ready to pick up where he left off. Joining Harris is a 2019 third-team All-MAC selection, sophomore Nick Rosi, who also earned second-team Freshman All-America honors.

"We are fortunate to have Bryce Harris back at center. He's as good a leader as you hope to have on a football team," said Candle. "Nick Rosi had an outstanding season as a redshirt freshman last season so we are looking for him to continue his improvement."

The other two returning starters are senior center/guard Luke Doerger, who filled in ably at center for Harris in 2019, and junior tackle Mitchell Berg. Other returning linemen in the mix for playing time are senior Josh Fenn, junior Kelvin Ateman, sophomores Tyler Long and Lavel Dumont, and redshirt freshman Parker Bisek.

Candle has high expectations for senior tackle Vitaliy Gurman, a 6-4, 307-pound graduate transfer from Edinboro who was a starter for the Division II Fighting Scots in each of the past three seasons. "Vitaliy has a lot of experience. I think he will help us immensely at tackle."