TAMPA— In a perfect world, University of South Florida offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler is not sure how a lot of things would work.

Would he be taller? Would the sun shine longer each day? Would the sky be blue?

But he does know how it would be for an offensive lineman: “A freshman would never play,” Shankweiler said.

If Shankweiler had his way, every offensive lineman until the end of time would sign a scholarship, join the team in practices and just watch and learn for his first year on campus.

Of course, it doesn’t always work out that way, which is why true freshman Quinterrius Eatmon is a Jake Sims injury away from moving up the depth chart and into the starting lineup at right tackle.

Don’t get Shankweiler wrong. He is very high on Eatmon, a 6-foot-6, 340-pound behemoth from Prichard, Ala.

“He has an unusual ability to learn things football-wise more quickly than most freshmen,” Shankweiler said. “He has all the skills to be a good college football player.”

Eatmon entered fall camp expected to redshirt along with a pair of other true freshmen on the offensive line, Tony Kibler and Jake Kaufmann. However, when Sims missed time in camp with a concussion, Eatmon began to get more reps behind sophomore Mark Popek. And when Popek went down with a sprained right knee that is expected to keep him sidelined for at least two more weeks, Eatmon kept pushing his way up the depth chart.

Without a deep line intact, Shankweiler might have to use young players before he would like. The Bulls’ most experienced offensive lineman, senior guard Zach Hermann, left the program during spring practice because of concerns about a lingering neck injury. Hermann had started 26 games the past three seasons.

“We’re going to have to probably cross-train some guys to fit the pieces together,’’ Shankweiler said. “If we’ve only got three tackles, somebody has to flip-flop. We’re installing, teaching, making sure we’re trying to create depth.’‘

Sims is a perfect example of how the lack of depth plays into rotating players when needed. Last season, Sims started nine games at three positions along the line.

“I’ve been moving around since I got here,’’ Sims said. “I played right guard as a sophomore, back to tackle, and last year I played every position: guard, tackle and center in two games. We just learn the offense that way.’‘

The Bulls’ starting line has senior Jamar Bass at left tackle, junior Jeremiah Warren at left guard, senior Sampson Genus at center, junior Chaz Hine at right guard and Sims at right tackle.

While the unit lacks depth, Sims is confident the Bulls have the talent and versatility to get the job done.

“We have quite a few guys who can bounce around,” he said. “Our tackles can play either side. Sampson, if we could line him up at tackle, he could do it.”

Shankweiler, who got his first job coaching the offensive line 30 years ago at The Citadel, will make do with what he has. That’s not exactly how he would draw it up in a perfect world, but he has yet to find a perfect offensive line in all these years in coaching.

“There are some guys, especially in the second unit, (that I’m pushing) to practice like a starter, to play like a starter, quit thinking like you’re a second-teamer,” Shankweiler said. “Obviously, you would like to have two right tackles and two left tackles. Losing Popek for a few weeks kind of puts a crimp in that plan.’’