Rawles Part of Experienced Bison Offensive Line

By Todd Merriett, Bucknell Athletic Communications

When Bucknell head football coach Joe Susan took over the Bison program in January 2010, one of his first tasks was to revitalize the offensive line. A former offensive lineman himself, the imposing Susan wanted Bucknell's line to rival him in size, rather than the smaller-statured group he inherited.

Prior to Susan's arrival the Bison utilized more of an option-based offense, which necessitated smaller, quicker offensive linemen. Susan brought with him a pro-style attack, and that approach needs a bigger, stronger offensive line. Now in his fifth year at the helm, Susan has seen the offensive line progress from him towering over them to looking them eye-to-eye. Now, he is the smallest one in the room, and he likes it that way.

“Our size is where we need to be to play this offense,” remarks Susan, who sees the projected starting offensive line stand an average of 6'4” 1/2 and tip the scales at a whopping 300 pounds. “When you can give your ball to the offensive line regardless of the game situation, that is a good position to be in.”

Bucknell, which returns 17 starters and six All-Patriot League players from last year's team that won five of its final six games, is especially deep on the offensive line. All five starters return and there are seven total linemen that have been regular starters at some point during their careers.

Sophomore quarterback R.J. Nitti, a first-year starter, is especially happy sophomore Julie'n Davenport (LT), senior Lonnie Rawles (LG), senior Brandon Noblett (C), senior Nevin Hagman (RG) and junior Ramy Kased (RT) will provide him plenty of protection as he gets more comfortable behind them. Those five Bison have combined to start 86 career games and if current backups Ned Bent and Clayton Hoffmaster are added to the mix that total increases to 105 games of starting experience. A luxury Susan will certainly enjoy this fall.

The most experienced of the group is Rawles. He moved into the starting lineup midway through his freshman season and hasn't left. His 29 consecutive starts are the most among Bison – regardless of position – entering the 2014 campaign. A First Team All-Patriot League selection last year, he became the first Bison offensive lineman to be named first-team all-conference since 2001. Expectations are high once again as Rawles was named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team over the summer.

Thanks in large part to Rawles and the other talented offensive linemen, the outlook for the Bison heading into 2014 is positive. Bucknell finished in a three-way tie for second place in the Patriot League standings a year ago and were picked to finish fourth in the seven-team conference this year. There is a growing buzz about the squad around Lewisburg and Rawles hopes that means more fans in the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium seats this fall.

“My high school was traditionally around a .500 team,” mentions Rawles, a native of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. “Expectations were high for a good season my senior year and the town really rallied behind us. I see some of that happening here. We love when fans come out and support us. They play a huge role, whether they realize it or not.”

Rawles says that he realizes every day how blessed he is to be at Bucknell earning a great education and playing football in front of the Bison fans. It was just by chance that he even ended up at Bucknell and being privileged to play football at such a high level.

Back during his high school days, Rawles was involved with Heroes and Cool Kids, a non-profit organization that promotes pro-social behavior in students and creates a caring and disciplined school climate. Rawles ran into Harry Flaherty, the father of then-Bucknell wide receiver Jake Flaherty, at a Heroes and Cool Kids event. Harry asked Rawles where he was going to school and playing football and Rawles said he wasn't being recruited very heavily. Shortly thereafter Rawles was on the phone with Coach Susan, courtesy of Harry Flaherty. Rawles made an unofficial visit to Bucknell not long after and immediately fell in love with the campus.

“If I wasn't there at that time, I might not be here right now,” reflected Rawles, who also briefly considered New Jersey schools Rowan and Fairleigh Dickinson. “I might not have gotten the opportunity to play football at this level. I truly feel I am blessed.”

Rawles arrived at Bucknell in the summer of 2011. With an offensive line that featured five senior starters he did not expect to earn much playing time as a rookie. However, his break came when then-senior Andre Shields went down with an injury in week four at Princeton. Rawles relieved him the rest of that game – a thrilling 34-9 victory over the Tigers that propelled the Bison to a 3-1 record – and then started the remainder of the year at left tackle.

While Rawles was not happy to take fortune in Shields' misfortune, he mentions that game was a good one to make his debut since most of his family was in the stands. In fact, they try to make it to most Bison contests in the New Jersey area and Rawles could not be happier when he sees them.

“I love when my family comes to see me play,” says Rawles. “I get a big burst of energy knowing they are watching me, especially by older brother. I can hear him screaming above everybody else in the crowd. I have been around him so much and there is a connection between us.”

Rawles, an offensive lineman since his freshman year of high school, continued holding down the left tackle spot as a sophomore in 2012. The 6'4, 290-pounder figured he would remain in that familiar position the rest of his career. Those plans quickly changed last year when Davenport joined the program. The mammoth Davenport, now a sophomore, measures 6'7” and weighs 320 pounds. He was often cited by Susan last year as the best offensive lineman in the Patriot League despite his youth. Rawles realized the talent as well and embraced a move to left guard.

“I wanted the best five to play and I gladly moved in and learned the new position to help the team,” explains Rawles. “I just want to win games; whatever it takes.”

Rawles says the biggest difference between the two positions is the speed at which defenders get to him at guard. He notes that there was an adjustment phase, but that he seemed to pick it up rather quickly.

The left side of the Bison line with Rawles and Davenport is now arguably the best in the Patriot League. With that duo, Bucknell was the lone school to have two offensive linemen on the Preseason All-Patriot League team.

A big New York Giants fan, Rawles is receiving daily reminders that this is his final year in Orange and Blue. He is unsure what his plans are following graduation, but for now he is just taking each day as it comes and focusing on football.

“You don't want to dwell on it being your last year,” says Rawles, who mentions he would like to travel the world after his time at Bucknell is over. “I try to play every down like it is my last and give it everything I have.”

Note: This story appeared in a recent edition of the Bucknell Football Gameday Program.