Senior Thayer Munford will move to left tackle with junior Matt Jones likely to move into the starting lineup at guard, though offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said true freshman Donovan Jackson is even with Jones as far as readiness to play.
For Munford, that means a return to the position he played the previous three seasons while Jones gets an opportunity to lock down a starting spot for 2022.
Munford confirmed he will have to make some adjustments in going back outside, but said playing left tackle is second nature to him.
“I need to get my hips more loose than guard because guard you’ve got to be uptight,” Munford said. “You’ve got to take on like a 325-pound man every play, so you’ve got to get used to that.”
Some consideration was given to moving right guard Paris Johnson Jr. — a natural tackle — to left tackle this week, but ultimately the staff thought it better not to make him changes stances.
“ When Thayer made the move to go to guard, was (Nick) would still be the guy on the left side and Paris would be the guy on the right side. Your right-handed stance, your communication is the same. The guys you’re working with are the same.
“So the thought process was that (Munford and Johnson) are the (starting) guards and the backup tackles. Then we really like what Donovan Jackson and what Matt Jones can do for us inside at guard, and they’re equally just as good and in some ways maybe better body types at guard.”
Johnson was among the top 10 prospects in the country when he signed out of Cincinnati Princeton two years ago, and he is expected to be the starter at one of the tackles next year along with Dawand Jones, a junior who was a first-year starter this year.
“He played very, very well recently,” Wilson said of Johnson. “He’s been practicing great. I think in the offseason, I guess you kind of look between he and Dawand to figure out who needs to be at left (tackle), who needs to be at right. There will be some conversations that can happen as you get into February and spring ball and moving forward and have some continuity.”
Dunbar grad Tavion Thomas thankful for opportunity, mulling future at Rose Bowl https://t.co/m2CMORRpcv
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Munford graduating, Petit-Frere going pro and Johnson moving back to tackle means both starting guard spots will be available, but Wilson hopes he already knows who will fill those roles — and that they can set the tone for a strong 2022 on the first day of the year.
“I think those other guys are ready to step up,” Wilson said. “It’s the time of year, though, now a little bit more with some of the early-out deals, but we’ve recruited very well throughout the years. Sometimes it takes a year or two to get your niche. A couple of years ago, we were out here, and there was an injury and all of a sudden, Wyatt Davis had to start.
“That was a kickoff to him having a great season, two great years and being an early out pro. And that’s the opportunities that these guys have. It gives an opportunity now to get Matt on the field a lot more and hopefully get Donovan out there.”
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