Aug. 17, 2011
Five to Watch: Matthews | Garnham | Tate | Ladler
In a series titled: Five to Watch, VUCommodores.com takes a closer look at players to keep an eye on during preseason practice. The fifth and final installment of the series features junior guard Jabo Burrow.
After switching to the offensive side of the ball in 2010, Burrow solidified himself as a starter on the offensive line during preseason camp. He went on to earn nine starts and is looking to continue his rapid growth in 2011. Eric Single recently spoke with Burrow to discuss the upcoming season.
This time last year you were still making the adjustment of switching to the offensive line from the defensive line. Where are you now in terms of your comfort at your new position?
I feel like I’m more knowledgeable, and then one thing that’s really helped me out is being more physically ready to play offensive line.
How set are the roles and assignments on the offensive line heading into preseason camp?
I think that roles are definitely set with some of the older, more experienced guys, but one thing that I think is going to help us a lot is having more depth with some of the freshman coming in. I think if I keep working hard to get mentally and physically ready, I’ll be able to keep my spot.
How much of a challenge was it to focus and practice effectively in the spring with those depth issues after so many injuries on the offensive line?
That’s the toughest part. It’s such a mental challenge when you know that you have to do extra reps and there’s no one there to back you up, but it was definitely good for us. We needed that.
You mentioned the impact that the incoming freshman linemen will have. Do you think that the adjustment from high school to college ball is steeper for linemen?
Just from a physical standpoint, when you’re a lineman in high school, the size difference is so big. There are so many guys that you’re so much bigger than in high school, and then it’s not that way when you get here in college. It’s both physical and mental, just because you have to learn ways to handle yourself against guys that are 300-plus pounds.
Talk about what it means to you and your teammates to have Offensive Line Coach Herb Hand back on staff.
That’s huge. That was the best part of getting a new coaching staff for all of us linemen, finding out that he was coming back. We know his coaching style, and we have a lot of the same terminology from last year thanks to him, so it made it a lot easier transition from the past coaching staff.
Wesley Johnson was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team after his performance at left tackle last season. How has he grown since he came onto campus?
He’s always been a guy that’s mentally prepared, he’s always known how to play the game. He’s been able to hold his own against guys that are a lot bigger than him, but now he’s physically ready to dominate. Coach Galt and the strength staff have really helped all of us out a lot and made us more ready to play well.
