The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/80446
"Mattes seems to be fitting in at guard perfectly. I've had guys play four different positions, but not start at four, which is a credit to him." ■ Head coach Tom O'Brien R BY JACEY ZEMBAL .J. Mattes could one day have an NC State award named after him for his selfless acts. The fifth-year senior is poised to start at his fourth dif- ferent offensive line position in four years, and he has played through injuries throughout his Wolfpack career. Mattes started at right guard his redshirt freshman season, before suffering an ACL tear in the eighth game of the season. He returned to action in the third game of the 2010 season, but switched to right tackle. Mattes moved to left tackle for the 2011 campaign and battled through a foot injury down the stretch, which cost him the majority of one game and part of a second. The 6-6, 313-pounder underwent offseason surgery on his foot, which slowed him down during the spring. Mattes wasn't sure what the plan would be for his final year, but he offered to play wherever head coach Tom O'Brien and offensive line coach Jim Bridge needed him. The left guard position was deemed the spot, and it became that simple. "They mentioned in the spring that they want to get the five best players and combination out there," Mattes said. "We were look- ing for a guard, and I told coach, 'If you need me there, I'll play.' I'll play there for the team and wherever they need me the most." O'Brien couldn't recall having a past offensive lineman start at four different positions. "Mattes seems to be fitting in at guard perfectly," O'Brien said. "I've had guys play four different positions, but not start at four, which is a credit to him." Meares Green and Mikel Overgaard played the role of the versatile offensive lineman on past Wolfpack teams, but not at the level of Mattes. Yahoo! Sports named him the No. 13 offensive tackle in the 26 ■ THE WOLFPACKER country prior to his position switch. Mattes replaced last year's starter, red- shirt junior Duran Christophe, who is now his backup. Reserve junior right tackle Robert Crisp became the new starter at left tackle, opening a spot at his old position. Fifth-year senior Andrew Wallace, who started at left guard in 2010 before tearing his ACL, is slotted to play right tackle this season. "Rob is a great tackle and I support the move for me to go from left tackle to left guard," said Mattes, who will graduate in December. "Hopefully, this will be the best five on the field and we'll produce on the field." Mattes and Wallace were part of the same recruiting class and have been long- time roommates at NC State. Mattes is glad to see his friend returning to his starting form. "It's always good to see him back in the starting lineup, and I hope he stays there," Mattes said. "He's one of my best friends here, and it's good to have him back healthy. "He's switching sides and stances. He has to put his right leg back instead of his left leg back, and kick deeper than a guard." Mattes said the adjustment to a new posi- tion isn't as complicated as it might appear. "It's not really that big of an adjustment because I played [right] guard my redshirt freshman year, and I've now played all four positions," Mattes said. "It's not too bad. The sets are a little different when you go from tackle to guard. It's a little adjust- ment, but not as bad as going from guard to tackle." Wallace knows he can always count on Mattes' advice, whether it involved coming back from an ACL tear or learning how to play right tackle. "R.J. has helped big-time because he has played four positions out of the five," Wallace said. "He's been really beneficial to me and teaching me techniques that I can look through from the defense. That makes my job easier. "We've been in the same room for the past five years, and it's been a good time. The chemistry we've shared is unreal. From the first day, we've been friends." If there is any offensive lineman in the country who knows the subtle differences PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN