Auburn football: Five really important offensive players vs. Washington

LT Prince Tega Wanogho

Once things click for Prince Tega Wanogho, it’s going to be something to see.

He’s a mammoth, 6-7, 310-pound left tackle with all sorts of potential. But you have to remember that he played defensive line and basketball in high school. His conversion into an offensive lineman has been gradual and we saw his progress from starter at the beginning of last season when he probably wasn’t quite ready to the improvement he made when re-inserted into the lineup later in the year.

He locked down the starting job early and should be the starter at left tackle for the next two seasons.

His importance against Washington goes without saying. If Stidham is going to have time to throw the ball, Wanogho must protect his backside. Malzahn discussed the importance of keeping Stidham upright on Tuesday.

“There’s no doubt. You looked at our sack total from last year, it’s one of the most that we’ve had since I’ve been at Auburn and that’s been a focus — protecting our quarterback, not the negative plays, but the sacks,” Malzahn said. “Of course that’s going to be a challenge against this group, with a very talented front seven with one of the best secondaries out there.”

It helps that the ones have gone against the ones more this fall. That means Wanogho is getting tested by one of the nation’s top defensive lines. That’s the best preparation he can get.

“The group is playing with confidence,” he said of the offensive line. “Obviously going against our defensive line every day in practice definitely helps you, too. I don’t think that we’ll be overwhelmed when we play someone.”

Let’s hope he’s right.