Rosco Byrd, Jr. Offensive Line Coach/Run-Game Coordinator | Wayne State University Athletics Website
Rosco Byrd, Jr. Offensive Line Coach/Run-Game Coordinator | Wayne State University Athletics Website
Wayne State University's football team is preparing for the 2025 season with significant changes to its offensive line. The unit, previously one of the most experienced on the roster in 2024, will feature new faces following several departures and additions.
Coach Rosco Byrd, Jr., now in his third year on coach Tyrone Wheatley's staff, provided an overview of the current group. Key losses include Aidan Tweedy, who transferred to Northern Illinois for his final year of eligibility after starting 22 games at Wayne State. Graduates Charles Wesley (25 starts), Owen Salingue (3 starts), and Tyler Schompert (23 starts) have also left the program.
Among returning players, redshirt junior Will Edwards brings experience with 20 games played and 10 starts across both guard positions. Jayden Lewin, a classmate of Edwards, started the last ten games in 2024—first at left guard before moving to center for the final three contests.
Redshirt senior Sherod Green returns after missing all of last season due to injury. Ethan Gates, another redshirt junior, appeared in nine games last year and made two starts.
The team also welcomes back two redshirt freshmen: Mikey O'Brien and Richardo Wourman. Wourman saw action in three games with two starts and earned the WSU Offensive Rookie of the Year award. O'Brien dressed for six early-season games but did not play before being sidelined by injury for the remainder of the year.
With limited returning depth, Wayne State added five freshmen and one transfer during the offseason. Freshman Trezelle Jenkins, Jr., enrolled early in January—a path similar to his father's at Michigan in 1991. Other first-year players are Lance Blakely, Jr., Ken Franklin, Jonathan Major, Keathan Smith, and Evan Wittmann. Transfer Trent Leicht joins from Golden West College after playing two seasons there.
Wayne State began fall practice earlier this week as preparations continue for their home opener against Tiffin Dragons on Thursday, September 4 at 6 p.m. Both season and single-game tickets are available through online purchase links provided by WSU Athletics supporters can also join the W-Club via a dedicated link on their site.
Coach Byrd summarized his outlook: "This segment is the offensive line preview with coach Rosco Byrd, Jr., who is in his third season on coach Tyrone Wheatley's staff."
The Warriors will release additional previews covering other position groups ahead of their season start.
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