Munford back ‘at home’ in tackle position
LOS ANGELES — Thayer Munford will be back at a familiar spot along Ohio State’s offensive line in the Rose Bowl.
With Nicholas Petit-frere opting out of the New Year’s Day bowl game against Utah, Munford will slide back to left tackle.
It was where Munford started for three seasons before moving to left guard this fall when the Buckeyes reconfigured their line.
“I think I feel at home,” he said. Since Ohio State began bowl practices two and a half weeks ago, Munford has been practicing at left tackle, while Matt Jones has filled in for him at left guard.
The extended stretch of preparation has allowed Munford to reacclimate to his previous spot and make a few adjustments to his blocking.
As a tackle, he said his hips must be looser, allowing him to slide to step in front of nimble pass rushers, whereas he’s more “uptight” as a guard in order to block heavier interior defensive linemen weighing more than 300 pounds.
“It’s a little bit of things I’ve got to do differently,” Munford said, “but it’s also kind of second nature to me.”
At various moments during the regular season, he saw playing time at tackle. It came on short notice, as a result of injury, and lasted only a couple of series.
Munford said he had no issue with Petit-frere skipping out on the Rose Bowl. He’ll have to pick up some of the slack in his absence, but he viewed the development as an opportunity to finish his career at the spot he feels best at.
“It’s very exciting,” he said. “I love Nick. Even though he left, and he’s like, ‘Yeah, I need to do what I need to do,’ I was like, ‘Alright, I got you,’ I’m not going to fault him for that. But I’m happy that I’m back in my natural habitat.”
A veteran leader who was the team’s Block “O” recipient for this season, Munford said his last game with the Buckeyes will be a “bittersweet moment.”
“I’m just ready to leave,” Munford said, “but also at the same time I’m really not ready to leave because I love these guys. I love everything about my teammates and stuff. I just don’t want to leave yet, but I’ve got to because I’ve got to move on, do my own thing, get in the NFL. But I’m always going to be a teamfirst person.”
Olave getting ‘minimal’ reps in practice
Despite plans to sit out the Rose Bowl, wide receiver Chris Olave has been practicing.
But he is getting “minimal” reps and been limited to only “a little individual stuff,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said.
Wilson saw Olave’s decision to remain with the team this week in Southern California as one stemming from a desire to continue leading teammates.
“Some of Chris’ best things and leadership is by example,” Wilson said. “He’s a verbal guy, but he’s not overly outgoing. I think him being out there and doing light things in practice and making some bullets to receivers is one of his best ways of leading, and how he’s trying to lead and finish off his role as one of our team leaders.”
None of the Buckeyes’ other opt-outs for the bowl game against Utah have been practicing.
Slot receiver Jaxon Smith-njigba said the “support” from Olave is helpful as they prepare to face the Utes.
“Just being the leader out there, telling us what he sees,” Smith-njigba said. “It’s great to have him in my ear and stuff, telling me what I’m going to see and stuff. It’s a big advantage for sure.”
Stover working at linebacker
Cade Stover’s move from tight end to linebacker is only a “one-week deal,” said Wilson, who also coaches tight ends.
The temporary switch was precipitated by injuries on defense.
“There’s a little bit of void at linebacker,” Wilson said, “and there’s an opportunity there. I will say this, I think he loves playing over there and brings a lot of energy and a lot of fun. He’s been good for the defense in this short period of time.”
Wilson felt confident enough in the development of redshirt freshman Joe Royer as the Buckeyes’ third tight end behind Jeremy Ruckert and Mitch Rossi to suggest the idea.
Stover has experience at the position, enrolling as a linebacker in 2019 before making the move to the offensive side of the ball last year. He also made an appearance at linebacker at Michigan for a snap.
His future role will be looked at further this winter with Wilson mindful of giving him a chance to find a more permanent spot.
“I do think we’re getting to a point where we need to get direction for him so he can have high success,” Wilson said.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at jkaufman@dispatch.com or on Twitter @joeyrkaufman.