Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/155994
ROLE PLAYER Carlisle, Pa., went into preseason practice as the second-string left tackle behind sophomore Donovan Smith, but he soon found himself practicing mostly on the right side. He was still on the second team, backing up Adam Gress, a senior who played in every game in 2012 and made three starts. But the right tackle spot seemed to present an opportunity for significant playing time, especially with Gress striving to become a full-time starter for the first time in his career. Penn State offensive line coach Mac McWhorter said he wants all of his offensive tackles to be familiar with both positions so that they can fill in on the fly if a starter goes down. But the experience he gains by practicing at right tackle could do more than simply enhance Gilliam's versatility; it might also propel him into the starting lineup if he's able to outperform Gress heading into the season. Gilliam's goal is to earn as much playing time as possible, no matter which offensive tackle position he ends up playing. But the odds are longer at left tackle. Smith ranks as perhaps the best NFL prospect on the Nittany Lions' offensive line and has had a starting spot locked down since week one of his redshirt freshman year, with only injuries interrupting his ascent. Gress, a 6-6, 321-pounder from West Mifflin, Pa., should see at least as much playing time as he did in 2012, but he's well aware that Gilliam is making a push. Senior Eric Shrive is in the mix, too, although he is also seeing reps at guard. With depth a significant concern throughout the lineup, the Nittany Lions are happy to have multiple options at offensive tackle. "It's good to have the competition," Gress said. "The more the merrier. [Gilliam] is making a good transition, and he's working hard. It's definitely a good thing to have him over there with us." Bill O'Brien hasn't said whether the starting right tackle spot is open, and when asked, McWhorter didn't focus on the position itself. Rather, he discussed Gilliam's versatility and how it will allow the Nittany Lions to use sev- Gilliam won't be throwing passes this fall, but he could see action at a number of positions. John Beale eral linemen at a variety of positions. A rotation of sorts. "The thing about Garry is that he's a gifted athlete," McWhorter said. "In moving him [from tight end to tackle], we really think that he can help us fortify some areas in the offensive line and really move up." O'Brien said Gilliam could even be moved back to tight end in certain down-and-distance situations, despite the fact that he traded in his No. 89 jersey for No. 77. (Not many pass catchers wear that number.) "You'll see him at either tackle," O'Brien said. "You might see him at tight end or tackle. He's going to play." In what sort of scenarios might Gilliam be used as a tight end? When asked, McWhorter declined to get into specifics. "Who knows? We're trying to utilize our personnel as well as we possibly can," he said. "Garry is a good enough athlete [that] we could get help from him in a lot of different areas." Gilliam says he is comfortable with whatever the coaches have planned, and he's certainly familiar with the tight end spot. As a redshirt freshman, he started three games at the position early in the season and played 217 snaps before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament against Iowa. His recovery from surgery didn't go as smoothly as hoped, as an infection developed during rehab. The complications caused him to miss the entire 2011 season and led to his petition for a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA. The waiver has since been granted, giving him a sixth year of eligibility. Gilliam returned last season to haul in seven receptions for 65 yards while starting five games, but his role di-