Seconds after LSU junior guard Will Blackwell was helped off the field in LSU’s first play from scrimmage in Saturday’s win against North Carolina, a familiar yet unexpected body trudged onto the field.
Junior T-Bob Hebert, who used to be LSU’s starting center, was instantly called upon to fill the void left by Blackwell at right guard.
Blackwell’s broken foot will leave him sidelined for at least six weeks — meaning LSU will have to patch up an already young offensive line for the next month and a half.
But those expecting Hebert to help glue the offensive line back together in Blackwell’s absence should think twice.
Redshirt freshman Josh Williford, a 6-foot-7-inch, 324-pound behemoth, “probably might get the first nod” when LSU travels to Vanderbilt on Saturday in its Southeastern Conference opener, according to LSU coach Les Miles.
Besides Williford and Hebert, Miles also said sophomore guard Matt Branch, a converted tight end, could vie for snaps. But Williford, who is listed as the team’s No. 2 right guard behind Blackwell, should see the majority of the snaps with the first team.
“I feel ready,” said Williford, who also serves as the Tigers’ right guard on field goals. “When I got back home Saturday night, I was like ‘Dang, I wish I played more.'”
Despite being Blackwell’s backup heading into the UNC game, Williford only played one series in the third quarter, which was his first career action as a Tiger.
Hebert received the bulk of the snaps, not only because of his knowledge and experience, but because of Williford’s youthfulness. Hebert’s experience is undeniable, having started 11 games last season before losing his starting job at center to sophomore P.J. Lonergan during fall camp.
The 280-pound Hebert had never played guard until last Saturday and is slightly undersized for a guard, especially in the SEC. Yet he was an easy choice to replace Blackwell because Miles didn’t want to throw Williford into the fire.
“We think we could have played [Williford] and put him in the whole time,” Miles said. “We just felt like in the style of game that it was and that T-Bob might very well take those snaps to start the game. He was doing pretty good, so we didn’t take him out.”
Miles said he even thought about moving sophomore right tackle Alex Hurst one spot over to right guard and inserting junior Greg Shaw into Hurst’s spot.
Another possibility was moving Lonergan to guard and having Hebert return to his natural position, but Lonergan was opposed to that.
“I’m more comfortable at center … but I’m not that experienced at guard,” Lonergan said. “As a center you’re used to having the ball in your hand, and when you take the ball out of your hand, it feels a little more uncomfortable.”
Williford and Branch seem like the safest options because Miles needs a solidified backup at center behind Lonergan. Blackwell was listed as LSU’s No. 3 center before his injury.
If Hebert were to play the majority of his snaps at guard and be injured like Blackwell, LSU would be without a backup center.
“We kind of need [Hebert] to stay handy at that center spot,” Miles said.
Regardless of how much Hebert plays, he is just glad for another chance.
Two days after a May 1 DWI, Miles suspended Hebert indefinitely for his actions — all while Hebert was on crutches for a broken lower leg he suffered in a March 20 scrimmage.
“If I got bad press, I deserved it for making dumb mistakes and making dumb choices,” he said. “I’m just glad to be playing football again.”
 
 
 
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Contact Sean Isabella at [email protected]