A.J. Strum will be protecting someone else's blindside next season - but it will be an Ohio quarterback, not Sandra Bullock.
The redshirt junior is transitioning from left guard to left tackle this season, replacing graduated senior Chris Rodgers. Strum came to Ohio as a tackle, so his move has gone smooth so far this spring.
When I first got here
I got the basics of the position Strum said. I played it my first two years and my third year
the coaches called on to me to play guard.
Because the left tackle is responsible for blocking the other team's most athletic defensive lineman, the position is usually considered the most important on offense besides quarterback. Strum's starting experience, along with his size (6-foot-5, 290 pounds) and quickness make him Ohio's best candidate.
He's done really well moving over
said offensive line coach Keven Lightner. He had to make that transition to tackle to guard in about a week last year
but I always knew I'd move him back to tackle.
The biggest difference between the guard position Strum played last season and his left tackle spot is the one-on-one battle with the defensive lineman lined up over him. At guard, Strum usually assisted with the center and the tackle instead of taking on a lineman by himself.
Strum was a backup tackle at the beginning of last season, but was thrust into the starting left guard position as injuries decimated the Bobcats. The junior got his first start against Bowling Green and played well enough to start the rest of the season.
It was an experience
Strum said. I'll tell you
going into last season
I would have never thought I'd be starting at a place like left guard.
The valuable experience Strum received starting the last 10 games of the year trained him to start at the line's most important position this season. The chance to get acclimated to the college experience helped him grow drastically, Strum said.
I learned a lot just about pretty much the game in general and how it works
Strum said. I mean I got to play in some pretty close games
some nailbiters like against Buffalo and Ball State.
The left tackle position isn't the only important spot on the offensive line vacated after last season. The Bobcats lost center David White, who was considered the offensive line's leader and was a team captain.
So far this spring, Skyler Allen has taken snaps with the first team offense at center, with Alex Mitchell and Matt Britain not far behind.
All three of our centers have done a great job
