Slauson happy with switch
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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Matt Slauson’s straggly goatee now stretches several inches. It’s part of an unkempt beard. He normally has shaved his head. Now, he’s letting that hair grow, too.
“I just want to get a mean, dirty look,” Slauson said. “And I think I accomplished the dirty.”
Yes, Slauson certainly looks the part of offensive lineman. He’s acted it, too, helping revamp Nebraska’s line over the past two seasons.
Now, his role has changed. His look hasn’t.
A junior, Slauson is practicing exclusively this spring at right guard. Last season, Slauson started Nebraska’s first 11 games at right tackle.
The switch, Slauson says, is permanent. Or so he hopes.
“I’m pretty confident in that,” the 6-foot-5, 335-pound Slauson said. “If we have some issues, as far as injuries go, then I might have to play a little tackle.”
Slauson, though, feels he’s better suited for playing guard. Doesn’t have the quick feet or the overall athleticism for tackle, he said.
“I’m big and slow, and you’ve got to be more agile and athletic to play outside,” Slauson said. “I think as far as my wide body goes, I’m a little better straight forward and straight backward than trying to keep up with a little 250-pound (defensive) end.”
Slauson first began practicing at guard in December during Nebraska’s preparations for the Cotton Bowl. He was coming off a high ankle sprain that caused him to miss Nebraska’s last two games, against Colorado and Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game. He then sprained a knee ligament in bowl practices.
He’s healthy now, but the same can’t be said for the rest of Nebraska’s line. Mike Huff and Jacob Hickman are both missing spring practice — Huff had surgery to repair an Achilles tendon injury, and Hickman underwent knee surgery.
“When Huff comes back, he’s got to be able to get in the mix at guard,” Nebraska offensive line coach Dennis Wagner said. “And when Hickman comes back, he’s got to get in the mix at tackle.”
As for Slauson, Wagner said he wouldn’t hesitate to slide him back to tackle in the event of an injury. But he labeled the move to guard “a natural move” for the big man.
“He’s so big and physical,” Wagner said. “When you’re a tackle, you’re out in space a lot and playing on an island. Not that he can’t play there. He has. But he’s much more effective being physical inside.”
Nebraska’s top five linemen this spring are Carl Nicks at left tackle, Andy Christensen at left guard, Brett Byford at center, Slauson at right guard and Lydon Murtha at right tackle. Wagner said he wants the first group to “fine-tune” its assignments and techniques during the spring.
He’s also looking for continuity and depth from Nebraska’s backups, highlighted by a trio of redshirted freshmen — D.J. Jones at tackle, Keith Williams at right guard and Cruz Barrett at left guard.
They’ve caught Slauson’s attention.
“They’re amazing, powerful guys,” Slauson said. “They’re huge. Keith and Cruz and D.J. Jones, they are some of the strongest guys when they work together. I’m really excited to see them play.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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