By MATT VAUTOUR
AMHERST — Two would-be contributors to the UMass offensive line won’t be part of the mix this season.
Senior tackle Tyshon Henderson, who has been a fixture on the two-deep during his career, but struggled to crack the starting lineup, decided to leave the program. Whether he plans to transfer or give up football is unknown.
Lukas Kolter, who battled injuries last year, will redshirt this season with a foot injury. The Cologne, Germany, native has been part of the rotation at guard when he’s been healthy.
“He’s going to have surgery,” UMass coach Mark Whipple said. “His foot has just never come back.”
There are a handful of new linemen in the mix alongside returning starters Fabian Hoeller, who’ll move from guard to center, Elijah Wilkinson (left tackle) and Michael Boland (right guard).
Redshirt freshmen Jack Driscoll and Mike Yerardi are assured of playing time, while Redshirt freshmen Derek Dumais and Joe Parsons, and sophomores Dan DiNicola and Jake Largay could earn snaps as well.
Mammoth freshman Raquan Thomas (6-foot-5, 392 pounds) was back at practice Thursday. True freshman Larnel Coleman has moved from defensive line to offensive line to add depth to the line.
UMASS QB — Whipple said earlier in the week he hoped to give more attention to junior college transfer Andrew Ford this week.
“He has played well. He’s made a bunch of good throws. There’s just a lot of things going on,” Whipple said. “He’s seeing things more. He’s been great.”
Whipple didn’t rule out Ford challenging Ross Comis for playing time.
“He’s competing. They’re getting the same amount of reps. The day Ross sat out, he got a lot of reps with the ones,” Whipple said. “I learned a lot that way. He takes care of the football. He’s smart.”
Whipple said Comis, whom he named the No. 1 quarterback at the start of camp, has played well.
“Ross has been good. Really good,” Whipple said. “We have a lot better feel from practice last year. Mechanically he’s been really good. He’s had a great summer.”
FLORIDA QB — Luke Del Rio, the son of Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio, will start at quarterback for Florida, on Sept. 3 against UMass.
Florida coach Jim McElwain made the announcement Thursday.
Del Rio began his career as a walk-on at Alabama, transferred to Oregon State, where he completed 8-of-18 passes in backup duty in 2014, his only collegiate game action. He sat out last year under NCAA transfer rules.
He beat out Purdue transfer Austin Appleby to earn the start.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage