MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — After playing 21 college games at left tackle, Adam Pankey transitioned to left guard during spring drills. Yet he recognizes there’s potential for a move back to tackle should certain circumstances dictate.
That necessity might arise if redshirt freshman Yodny Cajuste struggles on the outside, or if highly regarded Michigan transfer Kyle Bosch elevates himself at guard.
“I’m always open to coaches’ ideas. They make this thing tick and they know what’s best for us,” Pankey said. “Whatever they’ve got planned for us, I’m ready to do. I think they’ve got a good grasp on what they want to do.”
Through two days of preseason camp, West Virginia’s first-team offensive line looks like this: Right tackle Marquis Lucas (17 starts), right guard Tony Matteo (one start), center Tyler Orlosky (16 starts), left guard Pankey (13 starts) and left tackle Cajuste (zero starts).
As offensive line coach Ron Crook seeks his best-five combination, Pankey said he expects the lineup to “pan itself out during camp.” In the meantime, the redshirt junior is enjoying the meatier matchups against defensive tackles and bigger linebackers.
“I do like guard,” he said. “It’s a lot more bull rush, a lot less speed rush, so I can anchor down a little bit.”
As coaches rave about Cajuste’s athleticism, the primary question remains whether he’s poised enough to protect Skyler Howard’s blind-side. In 2013, when Pankey was also a redshirt freshman, he saw extensive backup action at left tackle in eight games.
His advice to Cajuste?
“Don’t keep any secrets. Sometimes you get out there and you’re not sure of yourself, so it’s better to over-communicate than to under-communicate.”