Offensive line coach Al Netter dishes on Stanford football’s new talent up front

Stanford’s offensive line has been a focal point of the team’s improved performance in their first four games this season. While the Cardinal sit at 2-2 (1-1 ACC), the offensive line has seen considerable changes, particularly with the emergence of young players stepping into critical roles.

Co-offensive line coach Al Netter emphasized that competition for starting positions remains ongoing, despite some players solidifying their spots through respectable performances.

“It’s a constant competition,” Netter said. “We’re always looking to find the best five guys. We feel like the guys that we have starting now are doing a really good job, but the guys right behind them we feel confident about,”

This season has seen a notable infusion of youth into the starting offensive line, most notably with the ascension of true freshman Khalil House to left tackle and sophomore Luke Baklenko at right tackle.

House, who was recruited as a guard, was moved to tackle after Stanford’s coaching staff observed his impressive athleticism during camp.

“We almost knew instantly, like, ‘Hey, we got to put him on the field,’” Netter said.

The decision to move House to tackle has paid off, as the freshman has shown rapid improvement with each game.

“His raw, natural ability is really special,” Netter said, adding that House wasn’t quite ready for the opener but quickly earned his starting role after extra work and commitment.

Similarly, Baklenko has solidified his spot at right tackle after competing with veteran Connor McLaughlin in fall camp.

“Luke just continued to take steps [to] get better and better,” Netter said, pointing to Baklenko’s strong practice performance as the catalyst for his starting role.

While Stanford’s offensive line has shown promise, there’s still room for improvement. Netter emphasized that consistency and technique remain key areas of focus.

“I think for us it’s really being able to play consistently with a physical mindset when it comes to the run game. And then in protection it’s just being able to play with great technique, and that’s been a huge thing for us, just hammering the technique with those guys,” Netter said.

Stanford’s run game has benefited from the offensive line’s development, as evidenced by their 236-yard rushing performance against Clemson. House’s and Baklenko’s presence on the line has contributed to that success, with the unit showing flashes of what it can become.

Beyond the starters, Netter highlighted several younger players who are developing well and could make an impact down the line.

“We feel really good about Ziron Brown, Hayden Gunter, Charlie Symonds and Charlie Hoitink,” he said. “We have a lot of young guys who are in the cooker right now and they’re just getting better and better.”

With Stanford’s season still in its early stages, the offensive line will be crucial in determining how far the team can go as they move forward in ACC play. If players like House and Baklenko continue to progress at their current rate, Stanford’s offensive line could evolve into one of the team’s strengths by season’s end.

“The future is definitely bright,” Netter said.

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