4-Star Texas Offensive Lineman Trace Oldner Talks About His IU Offer and a Love for the Big Ten

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Over the last few years the offensive line has become the cornerstone of the Indiana offense. Offensive line coach Greg Frey has produced two All-Americans, three players currently on NFL NFL rosters (Dan Feeney will surely be another after the 2016 season), and his offensive lines have paved the way for three 1,000-yard running backs in the last two seasons. In order to keep up this torrid pace the Indiana coaching staff has to find the right players to mold into high-quality Big Ten linemen. They may have planted an early seed with an offer to a class of 2018 four-star offensive lineman, Trace Oldner.

Oldner, from Seven Lakes H.S. in Katy, Texas is quite the specimen for Greg Frey to work with. He stands at 6'5" and is already 290 pounds. Oldner is ranked as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and is getting looks from Arkansas, Duke, Florida State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Stanford, Texas, as well as Texas A&M. Oldner told HoosierHuddle.com today that he has been in contact with Arkansas and Texas A&M the most. Arkansas head coach Bret Beilema has already sat down with Oldner and has given him a tour around their facilities. He has also taken two unofficial visits to Texas A&M.

However, Indiana and the Big Ten hold special meaning to Oldner. He was "honored to have received an IU offer" and is very impressed with the school citing their academic programs, and he has kept an eye on the program while following the Big Ten. Oldner "grew up with (his) family loving the SEC, so I am pretty big into them, but I enjoy watching Big Ten Schools like Ohio State and Indiana."

Oldner had yet to speak with line coach Greg Frey, but said "I've heard a lot about him. I am looking forward to meeting him."

Oldner started his high school career at tackle and has been moved to the interior to play guard. It is still undecided where he will play during his junior season, but where ever it is, he will be a force. Oldner's highlights show that he has the body type and ability to be an impact blocker as he is shown blowing holes wide open and getting to the second level to clear out the linebackers.

Hoosier fans can follow Trace on Twitter (@toldner34).