by Lilburn Nole for ChantRant.com

Three quarters through the 2012 season there probably were very few people that were thinking this would be a question heading into 2013. The surprising decision by Menelik Watson to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft after just one full season of highly competitive football has forced that to the #1 spot on the minds of many Seminole fans. It will be very interesting to watch this spring and see what direction the coaches go to find a right tackle replacement.

The easiest option is for some one just to step up at RT. Bobby Hart (Jr.) would be the obvious answer considering he started the last 9 games of the 2012 season, but for whatever reason (a discussion for another time) he fell out of favor in the 2012 season playing in only 8 games with 0 starts. What’s more, when he did find the field it was often at the guard position and not tackle.

The only other player on the roster with some game experience at tackle would be Garrett Faircloth (RS Sr.). The oft-injured Faircloth has good length and technique, but lacks some in the size and strength category. Faircloth only played in 2 games in 2012 but played in 11 games in 2011 making 6 starts, but all of them at guard. Update: Faircloth has been medically disqualified for spring due to a shoulder injury, so scratch him off.

The next option would involve shuffling the line. Bryan Stork (RS Sr.) immediately comes to mind here as he worked a fair amount last fall at the right tackle position when the coaches were trying to find a lineup with newbies Watson and Daniel Glauser getting looks at right tackle. If Stork was to move from his center position, that means the coaches have confidence in Austin Barron (Jr.), who has started 4 games at center over the last 2 seasons.

Another player who could possibly get a look in the spring is Josue Matias (Jr.). Matias came out of high school as a highly rated offensive tackle and has the height and arms for the position. He seems to have the athleticism for the position, too, but it’s a little hard to determine from his left guard position. Somebody would have to step up at the guard position in this scenario with Ruben Carter (RS Soph.) and Bobby Hart immediately coming to mind.

A third, though less likely, option, would be to see another defensive lineman make the switch to the offensive side. While lots of people were calling for this last year, most assumed it would be Georgio Newberry (RS Soph.), not Cameron Erving that made the change. Newberry was a top OT coming out of high school and performed well in the Under Armor practices and game at the tackle position. Newberry seems much less likely at this point, though, due to the decreased depth at defensive end.

The other name being thrown around is Derrick Mitchell (RS Soph). Mitchell resides a little farther down the depth chart at the loaded defensive tackle position. Though he hasn’t played the position, his 6’5″ 305 lbs frame and athleticism seem to allow him to make the transition much like Erving did.

If the Noles can solidify what was a good OL in 2012, it will help establish a running game that will help take the pressure off a first year starting quarterback.

Edit: Thanks so much to the writers of FSU’s Chantrant to share these five observations with us.  It will give us PITT fans a bit more background in anticipation of the season’s opener on Labor Day at Heinz Field.  It looks to be a real challenge for our Panthers but a great way to open up our own ACC history.