CEDAR FALLS - Offensive linemen don't get a lot of notoriety.

They go about their business on the college gridiron in ways that don't show up on stat sheets or highlight reels. In fact, they're more likely to be singled out for failing to block a blitzing linebacker than they are for sealing a defensive end on a sweep play.

The men who will do the majority of the blocking for Northern Iowa's 2007 team may be an exception. They've been tagged as the best overall group the Panthers have ever assembled, and that's high praise for a program that consistently produces rock-solid front fives and the occasional individual with NFL-type attributes.

Chad Rinehart, a 6-foot-5, 308-pound senior tackle from Boone, was a second-team All-American and a first-team all-Gateway Conference selection last season. Barrett Anderson, a 6-3, 315-pound senior from Rochester, Minn., has started 36 games as a Panther guard. Eric Hoffman, a 6-5, 300-pound senior from St. Cloud, Minn., has found a home at center, where he has started UNI's last 12 games. Bob Swift, a 6-6, 315-pound junior from Manchester, worked his way into the lineup a year ago. Only a knee injury last season took Brandon Keith, a 6-6, 331-pound senior from McAlester, Okla., off the field after he transferred from Oklahoma.

Each played a part in helping the Panthers average 219.3 rushing yards and 189 passing yards per game during the 2006 season. UNI's total offense of 408.3 yards was tops in the Gateway and ranked fourth nationally. The team's 31 points per game ranked 11th in the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision.

"It's not too often that we get this opportunity to be a little bit in the spotlight," said Anderson. "We're just going to try to take this opportunity and run with it. We're going to try to live up to everyone's expectations.

"Our offensive line mentality is always the same, really. We're humble, but we'll give you 110 percent. We have a very experienced group. We've seen what we're going to get into, and we've been there before. We'll approach it the way we would approach any other year."

Behind that starting group are five more Panthers the coaches won't hesitate to include in the rotation: 6-3, 301-pound sophomore Jordan Limbaugh of Algona; 6-3, 325-pound junior Brett Bergman of Union; 6-2, 310-pound sophomore Jason Fiacco of Oconomowoc, Wis.; 6-4, 282-pound senior Adam Falk of Lodi, Wis.; and 6-3, 309-pound sophomore Austin Steichen of Remsen.

And behind them stands yet another promising group: 6-4, 290-pound freshman Nate Stoffel of Dubuque; 6-4, 296-pound redshirt freshman Austin Zlab of Urbandale; 6-8, 330-pound freshman Evan Tecklenburg of Muscatine, 6-7; 276-pound redshirt freshman Ross Hageman of Elgin; 6-4, 260-pound sophomore Trent Flander of West Des Moines; 6-5, 253-pound redshirt freshman Jacob Gonnering of Kenosha, Wis.; 6-7, 325-pound freshman Jay Teply of Cedar Rapids; 6-7, 255-pound freshman Mitch Houk of Ottumwa; and 6-6, 312-pound freshman Andrew BlackLance of Thief River Falls, Minn.

It's a roster that puts a smile on offensive line coach Rick Nelson's face. The seventh-year Panther assistant has been able to keep his classes balanced with players who have size, ability and character.

"They are talented kids, and they're great work-ethic kids," said Nelson. "And they genuinely care about each other. That, to me, is probably one of the key ingredients when you're coaching the line … that kids care about each other. That's when you know they've put their money in the bank and they've got an investment in this program."

During UNI's annual preseason media day, the Panther veterans showed up with freshly shaved heads.

"We are a really close-knit unit, and we thought it would be a good way to show a little team camaraderie … and maybe make the freshmen shake in their boots a little bit," said Anderson with a smile.

Yet, when those underclassmen need guidance, Anderson and the other veterans are always there to help. That helps build continuity and quality depth.

"I can pass set as a coach and demonstrate things, but the kids will watch Chad Rinehart do it," Nelson explained. "He's better at it than I am. When we shotgun set, I can do it, but these guys are going to start coaching the younger kids. They're going to say, 'Hey, this is what worked for me.'

"We've been pretty fortunate that the kids who have come here, less than a handful have said, 'This just isn't for me,' or moved on for different reasons. When you have them in your program for a number of years, that's when you can get good."

On paper, UNI's 2007 line compares favorably with those in most Football Bowl Subdivision programs, although most were overlooked by the bigger schools during the recruiting process.

"Maybe their size and speed right out of high school might have been something that held them back a little," offered Nelson. "Rinehart wasn't a huge kid right out of high school. He was maybe 235 pounds. They get a chance to grow and develop here.

"I also think if you can take your kids and put them against NFL-caliber kids like they can at Iowa or Michigan and do it every day, they will be better. We can't continually go against our No. 1 defense because we'll beat each other up.

"When we can go against our best guys, it makes a huge difference for our line because they're seeing that speed and size and strength."

This season, Nelson knows he's got a group with the potential to be outstanding.

"I think we can be (one of UNI's best offensive lines)," he said. "But whenever I start feeling good about it, I just think about our North Dakota game (a 35-31 loss last season) and our Western Illinois game (a 24-13 defeat). That brings us right back down to reality.

"I'm not talking to our kids about anything but fundamentals and Minnesota State-Mankato."

Anderson isn't getting caught up in the preseason hype, either.

"To make that a reality, we have to give our team an opportunity to win," he said. "Really, our only job is to carry out our blocking assignments and give opportunities for the people who are usually in the limelight to get into the end zone and get us six points.

"We just need to concentrate on our assignments and get our jobs done."

Contact Doug Newhoff at (319) 291-1467 or doug.newhoff@wcfcourier.com