The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/535299
38 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2015 BY JACEY ZEMBAL T here are subtle differences between playing guard and tackle. On one hand, there is the conges- tion inside and the sudden impact of having a defensive lineman right on top of a player at guard. Sliding out to tackle in- volves different footwork and going against different sizes of players, plus the ever- present speed rushers. One week could be against a power defensive end, and the next an undersized speed rusher. NC State redshirt freshman Tyler Jones and fifth-year senior Alex Barr have bounced back and forth from tackle and guard since playing high school football in the state of Georgia. There won't be any mystery to their roles this season. Jones is entrenched at left tackle and Barr has found a permanent home at right tackle. "We feel we have good guys there," NC State offensive coordinator Matt Can- ada said. "We have two guys that left [Rob Crisp and Tyson Chandler] and they are both in NFL camps right now. We lost two experienced players. I think we have talent coming, and we'll have to work through that and see." The 6-8, 318-pound Barr has played both guard spots and right tackle during his Wolfpack career. He knows all of the subtle differences from playing the positions, and playing on the left side or right. "Assignment-wise, it's fine, but the main thing is footwork," Barr said. "The stance at tackle is a two-point stance, and I've been in a three-point stance [at guard]. It's a little bit different with what you are seeing on the field. Besides that, it's not too bad. "The biggest difference is guys on the outside are a little leaner, a little taller and quicker on the edge." Playing left tackle isn't completely new for Jones. The former Rivals.com three-star class of 2014 prospect played left tackle for two years at Stone Mountain (Ga.) Ste- phenson High, and was projected to be a college guard. The 6-3, 300-pounder played right tackle and left tackle on NC State's scout team New Bookends Left Tackle Tyler Jones And Right Tackle Alex Barr Are Getting Prime Opportunities Jones, a 6-3, 300-pound redshirt freshman, will be entrusted with protecting the blind side of fifth-year senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett this fall. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN