A couple of jobs are on the line

PULLMAN – Offensive line coach George Yarno couldn’t possibly make things much simpler if he tried.

“We’ve got two positions and we’ve got four guys really battling for those two,” Yarno explained. “And we’ll see how it happens and what happens by the end of spring.”

Both center Nick Mihlhauser and right guard Norvell Holmes have moved on from the Washington State roster, and so the three returners – left tackle Bobby Byrd, left guard Sean O’Connor and right tackle Charles Harris – are waiting for two others to claim the open spots. Yarno has opened up a heated position battle that could go in any direction.

Third-year sophomores Dan Rowlands and Andy Roof are getting the first look with the top unit, but senior Josh Duin and redshirt freshman Kenny Alfred are, as Yarno puts it, “even right now.” All four figure to get their chances, and all four could end up at either the center or guard position.

May the best two win.

“He told me I’m starting, but it’s definitely not my spot,” said Roof, an East Valley product. “I’ve got to earn it. Nothing’s given.”

Last season, the Cougars were in a similar predicament in the spring at guard, but O’Connor stepped in and within a week or two of spring practices it was clear the Cougars line was turning into a well-oiled machine.

Even one of the returning starters admits it may be unlikely the same smooth transition will occur this spring, especially given the level of competition.

“We had more experience last year coming in,” Harris said. “We had three guys that had played a lot. It wasn’t like a whole new group of people. Dan and Andy and Kenny, they’re limited-experience freshmen and sophomores. So I think it’s going to take a little more time. It takes, I would say, about two years to learn our system and those guys are right around that point.”

Yarno said he would like to have an idea of who will be starting by the end of spring practices at the latest, although the line coach has repeatedly said in years past and present he doesn’t mind the idea of rotating players if he has seven or eight capable linemen. (Last season WSU used the same starting five in all 11 games.)

He also has not ruled out the possibility of having O’Connor handle blocking calls at the line of scrimmage if a younger player takes over at center, the position normally charged with making the first read for his teammates.

“I think the three older guys really have to end up helping the younger guys,” Yarno said. “I know Sean can do it, but I want to see if these young kids can.”

Regardless of who it is that ends up playing next to him, Harris said it is important to get a group established so the process of working together can begin in earnest.

“I’m excited just for when that happens,” he said.

“I’m not going to be on the island. It’s fine now, but I’d like to have one guy that I know is going to play.”

“Wide receiver Brandon Gibson wore a yellow no-contact jersey after having minor surgery on his left elbow in the off-season.

Gibson joined the basketball team as a reserve and began to feel tightness as that season progressed, necessitating the operation.

Gibson could be held out of contact for much of the spring, although he’ll probably be cleared in full by its conclusion.