Interesting article about Pendleton.

Aamil Wagner wasn't going anywhere, since he was doing a solid job at RT.

Billy Schrauth was doing a very good job at RG. He and Wagner were our two best linemen for most of the year.

Pat Coogan did a decent job at C. There was definitely a dropoff from Ashton Craig, but he held his own, only giving up one sack all year.

Pendleton was a serviceable LG. He simply needed another year of development, since you could see a number of rookie mistakes (redshirt frosh in 2024), such as missed assignments, false starts, etc. Still, he was a decent player, and when he was in sync with the rest, did a good job.

Anthonie Knapp surprised me and held his own at LT decently all throughout the season against some excellent linemen.

After Schrauth was injured, Spindler stepped in, and really stepped up his game to the point where you could definitely count on the right side of the line to do the job. His performance superseded Pendleton's, so when Schrauth came back from injury, to put the 5 most serviceable guys on the line meant putting Schrauth at LG.

I think that after an off season of S&C, along more tutelage by Joe Rudolph, Sam Pendleton could have been a serious contender to lock down a starting guard spot by his 4th year, and he would have started as a 5th year player too.

I also understand that he wants playing time, and wants to start. I can't blame a kid for wanting something more guaranteed, since that would certainly enhance his chances of a pro career. That plus the excellent younger talent is going to be pushing hard for playing time as well.

I hope he succeeds at his new place (probably Tennessee), and want the best for him, as long as it doesn't come against us...

Seems like he should stay. That's why I wonder how much the kids talk to each other prior to these decisions.

Another aspect is probably they had discussions with the coaching staff, too. I guess Knapp and Schrauth are penciled in as starters for next year, which is probably why both are leaving.

I'm guessing that Coach Rudolph will move Billy Schrauth back to RG, and put Knapp at LG, where his pass protection skills would be more valuable.

Schrauth did a very good job in 2024, but Knapp's pass blocking was remarkably good for someone who was undersized and raw as a true frosh. The man has very good technique, and I think will take a big step forward after some off-season conditioning.

From what I've heard, Joe Otting was getting reps at C, so even if Craig weren't at full strength, that position might not have been available for Pendleton. That plus as BaronVonZemo stated, there's a lot of excellent young talent already on the roster and coming in soon. Given Coach Rudolph's track record of producing NFL caliber linemen, I'm very comfortable with his talent evaluations.

One way or the other, we just want our 5 best linemen on the field.

There was a mention on another site that his benching has a weird feel to it.
Not sure about that, but this is best for both sides.