San Diego State offensive line coach Jonathan Himebauch's eye for talent may be exceeded only by his power of persuasion.
As much as Himebauch's focus is on cultivating cohesiveness among tackles, guards and centers, he is no less consumed with convincing defensive linemen that being the blocker is far more agreeable than being the blockee.
“I'd like to get my hands on that big kid if I could,” Himebauch said in reference to the team's recent addition of 6-foot-4, 355-pound defensive tackle Darias Jones.
Lacking that coup, Himebauch can be content with the conversion of Peter Nelson, whose transition to offense has suddenly taken on a significantly heightened degree of import.
Though coach Chuck Long yesterday was not ready to rule out his return, all indications are that projected starting left tackle Mike Matamua could miss the season after suffering an injury to his left foot late last week. Though Long was not specific about the injury or its severity, he acknowledged the Aztecs are planning to move forward without the redshirt freshman, who emerged from spring drills ranked No. 1 at the position on the two-deep chart.
Enter Nelson, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound junior who is the third SDSU defensive lineman to convert to offense in as many seasons. Assuming Nelson wins the job, his running mate at left guard will be senior captain Mike Schmidt, who was moved to offense during Long's first season in 2006.
“The biggest thing for Pete is just going to be getting confidence, getting to the point where he can just start flying around on the field,” said Schmidt, who began his career at SDSU as a defensive tackle. “He's a real dedicated player; it's not like he hasn't played college football before. It's going to take a few snaps before you start getting the kind of communication you need, but I think he's going to be a real asset to our offensive line.”
Nelson, a native San Diegan whose family moved to the Chicago area when he was a child, played in 11 games last season, starting two. He was one of six former walk-ons to earn a scholarship in 2007.
“For some reason, (offensive tackle) just seems a better fit for me,” said Nelson, who was approached about the move during the middle of the summer. “I feel more relaxed in knowing what I'm supposed to do. The coaches had been kind of hinting about moving me for a while, but I was a little hesitant because I've always been a defensive player. I know that I wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for all the guys and the coaches helping me, so I'm ready for any challenges that come my way. I'm ready to go.”
Said Himebauch, who became a starting center at USC after beginning his career as a defensive lineman: “We knew that he was the kind of kid that was going to do anything to help the team. For the last couple of years I've been watching him (on defense). When you see a defensive lineman who has really good hands, like Peter does, you can translate that over to offense. . . . Offensive tackle isn't really all that difficult to play. It's lot more about technique and reps, and that's what we're trying to get him right now. Peter's done a really good job of picking it up.”
Extra point
While there is little doubt that redshirt freshman
Ryan Lindley will be the starting quarterback when the Aztecs open against Cal Poly on Aug. 30, Long said a formal announcement likely will be forthcoming today, as will a revised two-deep chart.
Mick McGrane: (619) 293-1850; mick.mcgrane@uniontrib.com
