“There’s definitely a lot of things we can fix, and that’s what me and Jerald plan to do in this offseason,” Gates said. “We’re definitely gonna get on people’s butts and get after them. So we’re not going to be everybody’s best friends, like it kind of was this year.”
Gates will be a third-year starter in 2017 and the ringleader at left tackle. Foster returned from a knee injury to start the last three games at left guard, Tanner Farmer started all but two games at right guard and walk-on Cole Conrad settled at right tackle with David Knevel battling an ankle injury.
The chemistry will start to show, Gates said, the longer some of the returnees work together. The potential impact of three redshirt freshmen also will be something to watch, starting with John Raridon at center.
“They’ll definitely step in and be right with us when their time comes,” Gates said. “We’re definitely excited for that.”