Blue White Illustrated

T H E 2 0 1 7 S E A S O N W hen Penn State released its o6cial depth chart ahead of the 2017 season, redshirt freshman Will Fries was listed as the backup at le7 tackle. When he made his 4rst career start a few weeks later, it was at le7 guard. And when he returned to the starting lineup Sept. 30 against In- diana, it was at right tackle. If all that makes your head spin a little bit, imagine his. For a 4rst-year starter working three di5erent positions, playing on either side of the center, that might make for a heavy mental load. But Fries, a four-year honor student at Cranford (N.J.) High, has shown the capacity to handle it. The work he put in beforehand prepared him for his opportunity. A four-star prospect in the Class of 2016, he spent a couple of years at o5en- sive guard in high school. While redshirt- ing last season, he worked at both tackle positions, and he did so again in presea- son camp this year. He credits his work on the scout team and the travel squad with helping him get ready for the variety of assignments asked of him so far this sea- son. The way in which his redshirt season unfolded prepared him for action this fall. Although Fries started last season as a "yellow light" – meaning that he might or might not redshirt – it was decided a7er the 4rst month that he would sit out to preserve his freshman eligibility. But when injuries started to mount at o5en- sive tackle late in the year, there was some discussion on the sta5 about whether the time had come to put him on the 4eld. "I was a redshirt at the beginning [of 2016], but there was a chance that I might have to play a7er the 4rst few games. But then a7er Michigan, I was pretty much in that redshirt mindset," Fries said. "It was going good. I was getting bigger and stronger and getting better in practice going against [defensive ends] like Garrett Sickels, Evan Schwan and Torrence Brown and those guys, and there came a point when I thought I might have to play. I obviously felt very prepared, and Coach [Matt] Limegrover and the older guys got me prepared to play. It didn't end up working out like that." Not last year, anyhow. But now he's see- ing the payo5. Being bounced around from the prac- tice squad to the travel roster was di6cult at times, but it hardened his resolve and helped him grow into a more versatile player when he was needed. Whether he's at guard or tackle, Fries said he's been comfortable with his role. "It's not too big of an adjustment," he said. Switching from the le7 to the right Fries' versatility paying off for offensive line | READY FOR ANYTHING Since preseason prac- tice, Fries has played three po- sitions on the of- fensive line: left guard, and right and left tackle. The redshirt freshman line- man has helped Penn State over- come several nagging injuries, filling in wher- ever needed on a weekly basis. Photo by Nate Bauer

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