2025 Fall Camp Week 1 - Offensive Line

STANFORD, Calif. — The rich tradition of Stanford football would be incomplete without the history of dominant offensive line play. From names like Gordon King and Bob Whitfield to Andrus Peat and David DeCastro, when Stanford football has excelled, its success has been anchored by the offensive line. 

As fall camp begins in preparation for the 2025 season, there’s a palpable belief that this year’s offensive line can return to its roots and be a dominant force once again.

“It all starts with the work they put in this offseason,” said offensive line coach Al Netter, entering his third season. “These guys are taking ownership of the room. You can see that this group is the tightest it's been since I've been here. The cohesion, the attitude, the mindset…it just feels different.”

There is probably no greater addition to the offensive line during the spring than redshirt junior offensive line transfer Niki Prongos. A Bay Area native from Novato, Prongos transferred from former Pac-12 rival UCLA after spending his first three collegiate seasons with the Bruins. He was a key part of their improvement throughout 2024, making his first eight collegiate starts, appearing at both right tackle and right guard.

There is a lot to like about his game, but Coach Netter summed it simply when he said, “Niki is an absolute genetic freak.” Prongos stands at 6-7 and weighs 310 lbs. and has added on more since his arrival at The Farm. 

“He's only accelerated from where he was at UCLA, and we're very excited about Niki and what he brings us.”

Prongos figures to battle for the left tackle position, previously held by Kahlil House. After making ten starts as a true freshman at left tackle, House will slide over to the right side of the line of scrimmage, playing alongside Pale at right guard. 

House was thrown into the fire as a true freshman in 2024 and showed flashes of the type of player he can be. He was named to the Midseason True Freshman All-America team by On3 and finished the season with ten starts at left tackle. 

Now moving to the opposite side of the line, there has not been a noticeable learning curve for House, who played right tackle in high school.

“Khalil's got tremendous athleticism and length. Since last year, he's gained about 28.5 pounds of muscle,” Coach Netter detailed. “He’s always had athleticism, but now he's added some strength and power behind it, and that is helping him a ton.”

Coach Netter said that the offensive line “has the most experience it’s had since I’ve been here,” which is largely thanks to the transfer additions upfront. Prongos joins Nick Fattig (Texas Tech) and Nathan Mejia (Sacramento State) in transferring to Stanford, all of whom come with in-game experience.

The addition of those three veterans helps create open battles across the line of scrimmage. No matter who has seen playing time before, every position is going to be earned, according to Coach Netter. “Every day is an interview for the job. Every day is stamping it on your resume.”

Pale is also embracing being one of the veterans on the offensive line. Of the 16 offensive linemen on the roster, Pale is one of just six who have appeared in a game for the Cardinal and one of nine who have appeared in a collegiate game at any institution. Despite some new faces, Pale feels this group has come together quickly.

“We’ve built enough trust within each other that we want the best for each other,” Pale explained. “We’ve been able to push each other and not be afraid to get in each other’s grill a little bit and demand the greatness that we want out of each other and this program.”

That greatness is not far removed from the present day. From 2012-16, Stanford saw six offensive linemen taken in the NFL Draft, with three of them coming in the first round (David DeCastro – 2012, No. 24; Andrus Peat – 2015, No. 13; Joshua Garnett – 2016, No. 28).

With every position being an open battle, the competition is fierce. But that’s what brings out the best in every student-athlete, or as Prongos described it, “that’s the name of the game.

“No spot is ever safe, and you’re always competing with your teammates. Competition breeds excellence, and we have that right now. It’s fun to see.”

One of the younger players battling for a starting spot is redshirt freshman Ziron Brown. After redshirting as a true freshman in 2024, Brown is seeing time at center and has a chance to make an impact in 2025. 

While it is not his first fall camp at Stanford, this particular camp has opened his eyes to what competition really is. He is also enjoying the opportunities to learn from some of his more veteran teammates.

“It’s opened my eyes to what it takes to be a successful offensive lineman,” Brown mentioned. “You get the opportunity to see what you need to work on and correct it in the next few days. You’re always working, always competing, and always trying to improve.”

After just one week of practice, interim head coach Frank Reich has been impressed by what he’s seen. He identified two traits that stand out to him that will help take this group to the next level.

“There is a physicality that they bring to the table. Not just being big, strong, young men, but this physically dominant mentality,” he explained. “That’s a huge deal. They understand that it starts with them; it’s a big part of our DNA.”

He also highlighted the team’s depth, saying “we don’t just have just five guys who can do it. That’s what I’m really excited about. You go through the course of the season and invariably, guys are going to get nicked up, but the room is deep and wide.”

It might not be a one-year fix to return Stanford’s offensive line to glory, but the building blocks are there. The offensive linemen talk about it. They understand the history. They understand the shortcomings in recent years. But they also have confidence in where they are headed.

Pale simplified that belief when he said, “We’re just a bunch of dogs. We’re nastier. We’re more physical. That excites me.”

It should excite Stanford fans, too.