After assuming a full-time starting role as a sophomore in 2015, offensive lineman Casey Tucker could be on the move in 2016. Though Stanford's offensive line is not yet totally set, the Arizona native appears primed to earn the Cardinal's starting left tackle job; he played right tackle in 2016.
Cardinal Sports Report caught up with Tucker following Stanford's Wednesday morning practice to discussion his transition, the state of Stanford's line unit and more.
Cardinal Sports Report: Transitioning from right tackle to left tackle, how has that been for you?
Casey Tucker: It's been pretty good. There are just little, slight technicalities I'm trying to work through. Just little things, really. It was only difficult really the first three days. Now I'm starting to feel really smooth with it.
CSR: Prior to arriving at Stanford, had you played solely left tackle?Â
Tucker: I played mainly left. Freshman year I played right and tight end. I switched and played left for the next three years.
CSR: Was the transition from left to right more difficult, or back to left from right?
Tucker: It was pretty balanced. I think it's the same things. There's always a little bit of challenge there, but once you get those few days of work in you start to feel better.
CSR: Aside from the physical stuff with the transition, what's been your biggest emphasis this offseason? Are their particular areas of your game that you're really attacked?
Tucker: Moving from right to left, there's more emphasis on pass pro, because you're on that blind side. The left tackle's priorities are going to be pass protection. So that's really what I worked on this offseason.
CSR: You got here in 2014 when you guys had to replace four starters and it maybe took a little bit of time to gel. How much has the 2014 experience informed your perspective as a unit? Is that something that's discussed at all with your position group?
Tucker: Yeah, I think the group of guys we had on offense last year, we really gelled. We had a great leader in Kevin Hogan. He really brought a lot of leadership and energy that a lot of us are trying to transition to this year. We want to keep that rolling through. I think that's the challenge: Keep the energy of the guys who have left in the huddle.
CSR: I think everybody knows about you, about Johnny, about Dave Bright, about Jesse Burkett. Are there any of the other maybe younger linemen, guys who are more inexperienced, who have caught your eye or really shined during camp?
Tucker: We have xix guys right now that are playing really well. I think A.T. and Brandon Fanaika, those are the young guys who really stepped up this year. Honestly, putting the line together, if I were coach Bloom I would wish there were six spots. Because we have guys that are really in on the details and competing. It's fun to watch.
CSR: Any of the true freshmen - the six guys new to the program - have any of those guys caught your eye?
Tucker: Coming into this offense, learning it is really difficult. Nate and Devery have done a good job with the playbook, which has impressed me, how quickly they're able to absorb information.
CSR: In general, coming off such an amazing year for your offense last season, what has been the group's emphasis this offseason? Has their been a rallying cry for your offense as a whole?
Tucker: Not necessarily a rallying cry. I think we want to keep the process - just make sure we're always locked in on our process. Coach Turley is really good at drilling us with what's important, and now we just need to apply it to each and every one of our jobs. That's the real challenge.
CSR: Finally, aside from Harrison Phillips and Solomon Thomas, because I think they'd be the answer to this, which defensive lineman gives you the most challenge when you go up against him in practice?
Tucker: I think Luke Kaumatule. He's going to be a good guy this year. Especially when he gets angry, he's tough to go against... When he gets mad, you're going for a ride.
