Every day is a field test for Noble
Blocking All-American tackle Oliver keeps center on his toes
Will Noble put on his helmet and pads and left for work Tuesday morning.
His job: block Ed Oliver. In what might qualify as the most hazardous assignment in college football, Noble, the University of Houston’s senior center, has spent the past two years lining up one-on-one in practice against the All-American defensive tackle many believe could be the No. 1 pick in next year’s NFL draft.
Noble admits he’s lost his share of battles with Oliver. He’s also won a few times. There is proof.
“I’ve put him on the ground a few times,” Noble said with a smile. “There’s film, but it will take some time to find it.”
One of those moments came Tuesday, the first day the Cougars went through a preseason camp workout in full pads. Oliver got the best of Noble on a play. A few plays later, Noble was on top of Oliver’s back.
“You get people sometimes,” said Noble, “and sometimes they get you.”
There are ways to tell when Noble, who is 6-5 and 295 pounds, has done his job against Oliver.
“I take it as a compliment when he gets mad,” Noble said. “You know you’re getting after him if he’s complaining and saying you’re holding me or whatev-
er when I knew I was blocking him good.”
And if Oliver is quiet? “He’s usually talking mess when he’s winning,” Noble said. “If he’s quiet you’re getting after him a little bit.”
While opposing teams usually have a week to prepare for Oliver, Noble said the daily challenge of going head-to-head against the guy Sports Illustrated and ESPN have tabbed the best player in college football has made him better.
“He gets after you and makes you want to be better for the next day,” said Noble, who is on the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy, presented to the nation’s top center. “He doesn’t tone it down. He always makes you stay ready to go.”
A rare combination of speed and agility at 6-3 and 292 pounds, Oliver is notorious for his high motor and unwillingness to take plays off.
He was aptly referred to as “Beast” on the cover of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine and “Big Boss” on a regional SI cover
“He’s fast,” Noble said. “At that position, you don’t see that kind of play very often. His athleticism allows him to do that. It’s good to practice against for our team. We always try to make practices harder than the game, and it’s easy when you have that guy lining up against you.”
Oliver, who was unavailable for comment, described his battles against Noble to The Athletic as “a walk in the park.”
Along the way, Noble said, there have been more than a few times things have become testy in practice.
“There’s been a lot of bitterness, I guess, because we have to go against each other a lot,” said Noble, the most experienced player on the UH roster with 32 career starts. “He’ll shove me after a play. Then I’ll shove him after a play. And we will both end up on the ground. Stuff like that.
“I can’t be getting it all the time. I have to give it back. I have to defend myself and play hard, too. Just because he’s Ed Oliver doesn’t mean I have to take (anything) from him.”
Quarterback D’Eriq King has a front-row seat for each play.
“Will and Ed go at it every day,” King said. “Ed is obviously the best player in the country. Will is pretty good, too, though. They go back and forth and have battles. I feel Will gets better going against Ed every day. It doesn’t get any better than that. He is going against the best.”
As NFL scouts begin to arrive to watch Oliver in practices and games, it also gives Noble a chance to make an impression.
“It’s a tough job, but it’s one he’s very mature, smart and handles it,” coach Major Applewhite said. “It makes him better for game day. He welcomes it.”
What’s the mood between Oliver and Noble after practice?
“Afterward in the locker room, it’s all chill and doesn’t linger over,” Noble said. “We’re not mortal enemies or anything. We just go against each other on the field. It’s all love.”