Redshirt freshman center Tommie Draheim, who emerged from spring drills as the starter, has a fractured shoulder and will be out of the lineup indefinitely, San Diego State football coach Chuck Long confirmed yesterday.

Draheim, the center who snapped the ball to projected Aztecs starting quarterback Ryan Lindley at El Capitan High, was able to move up the depth chart during spring drills when sophomore Trask Iosefa, last year's starter, missed considerable time because of academic issues. Long said yesterday that Iosefa has improved his academic standing and will be available when SDSU opens fall camp Aug. 4.

Damian Shankle, a redshirt freshman from Laguna Niguel, was listed as the No. 2 center coming out of spring drills.

Before the injury to Draheim, the Aztecs listed three redshirt freshmen as starters on the offensive line. The others are tackles Mike Matamua and Kurtis Gunther.

Meanwhile, Long said senior linebacker Russell Allen is dealing with a fractured thumb suffered while lifting weights. Allen, who is considered a preseason All-Mountain West Conference selection, is unlikely to miss any practice time.
– MICK McGRANE