67 Days until Miami football: OL Zach Dykstra waits to contribute

Rising redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Zach Dykstra has not gotten much of a chance to contribute to the Miami football team during his two seasons in Coral Gables. That could change in 2019.

Zach Dykstra has been one of the few offensive linemen for the Miami football program to stay in his natural position. Dykstra signed with the Hurricanes as a three-star guard in 2017 out of Spirit Lake, Iowa. Although Miami projected Dykstra at guard when he signed, 247Sports ranked him as the 69th best tackle in 2017.

Dykstra settled into his position at guard as part of the second-team offense for the Miami football program this spring. Dykstra’s place on the Hurricanes offensive line was consistent throughout the spring. At 6-6, 305 pounds he gives Miami a presence and mean streak on the interior of the offensive line.

Only three positions seem secure for Miami this fall on the offensive line. Rising junior Corey Gaynor is fastened in as the first-team center for the Hurricanes entering the 2019 football season. Rising sophomore Delone Scaife and rising junior Navaughn Donaldson are likely to be starters this fall.

Scaife and Donaldson’s positions have yet to be determined. Where Donaldson and Scaife start could depend on who the fourth and fifth best Miami offensive linemen are. The likelihood is that they begin 2019 as the starters at left tackle and left guard. The right side of the offensive line is wide open.

If Dykstra has an impressive summer training camp he could enter into the mix to be the starter at right guard. If Dykstra remains part of the second-team as he was throughout the spring, he will be a valuable member of the rotation for new offensive line coach Butch Barry. Dykstra could also potentially slip to the third-team offense.

The Miami offensive line dealt with injuries throughout the spring. The injuries caused frequent shuffling that elevated Dykstra to second-team guard. Donaldson spent an extensive amount of the spring at center with Gaynor out with an injury. Dykstra will compete with a handful of Miami OL to be part of the rotation.

Dykstra redshirted as a true freshman in 2017. His only playing time in 2018 came against Savannah State in his college debut. Miami defeated the Tigers 77-0. Savannah State moved down to Division II following the 2018-19 school year.

Dykstra is part of a 2017 Miami recruiting class that was praised on the offensive line. Entering their true junior season, only Donaldson and Gaynor have earned consistent playing time. The Hurricanes offensive line has been an impediment on their offensive line over the past three seasons.

Contributions from the Hurricanes veterans up front is vital in 2019. With new offensive coordinator Dan Enos, Barry and new strength and conditioning coordinator David Feeley higher expectations are coming for the Miami offensive line.