Bearcat Primer: White Anchors Right of O Line | Sports

By Jeffery R. Callaham Last updated Aug 5, 2022

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Editor’s note: Each week this summer, the Forum digs into a specific position on the Bearcat depth chart and one of the leaders there. This week features attacking tackles and Nyjel White. June 16: BY Elijah Green; June 23: OL Mitch Goff; June 30: LB Sam Phillips; July 7: RB Jamar Moya; July 14: Specialists; July 21: TE Cole Hembrough; July 28: WR Trevon Alexander.

MARYVILLE, Mo. — The Bearcat offensive line replaces a lot of experience with Tanner Owen and Gabe Bautz switching to NFL opportunities on the left side of the line, but as they look to fill the left side, the entire right side comes back intact.

Junior Nyjel White is the anchor of this group for his spot at right tackle.

“Nyjel has had a great season,” Northwest offensive line coach Mike Cunningham said. “The biggest thing I’ve seen with him after the season is trying to take on more of a leadership role with Tanner leaving. … He’s been working his cue this summer.

Columbia’s Hickman High School product came to Northwest after a dual-sport high school career saw him succeed in basketball and football.

“Basketball was my thing growing up,” White said. “I absolutely loved football.”

White wore a red shirt in 2018 and played four games as a rookie in 2019 before the pandemic wiped out the 2020 season. When White and the Bearcats returned for 2021, he was atop the depth chart on the right side.

“As soon as I got on the program, it was like ‘wait your turn’ and I knew I had guys older than me ahead of me,” White said. “Once Austin Clarkson didn’t come back, we kind of needed a guy to step in at that tackle position. It gave me the opportunity. And I was already working there, so when it was time to step up, the transition was smooth.

Another new face in the starting lineup, Dalton Hill, started alongside White at right guard last season and is back for his senior year. Junior center Mitch Goff returns as a three-year starter.

“It makes a guy sleep a little better at night to put them three back on the right side,” Cunningham said.

Continuity will be an important factor for the team’s success according to White.

“Dalton is coming back – he’s my guy,” White said. “I like to preach communication. If everyone’s on the same page and you’re doing something wrong, it’s better than a bunch of people on different pages and it’s all over.

Continuity is also key with whoever the unit will stay clean in the pocket with Mike Hohensee and Braden Wright both back. The coaching staff has repeatedly said both quarterbacks will play.

“We also trust them,” White said. “It’s good to have both because, just like last year, you can have one and there’s no downfall when the second comes.”

Northwest Missouri State quarterback Mike Hohensee, left, celebrates a touchdown with tackle Nyjel White, right, last year in Warrensburg, Missouri.

JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM

The left side is where the offensive line will have new pieces, but junior Seth Zegunis looks to be an important piece after an injury derailed his chance to start on the right side last season.

At tackle, the Bearcats bought 6-foot-6, 310-pound Andrew Theobald from the University of Tusculum.

“He’s going to have to come in and earn the job – it’s not just given to him,” Cunningham said.

Theobald brings unteachable traits to the group.

“When you’re 6’8 and 315 pounds, that’s a little hard to pass up,” Cunningham said.

The Bearcats are also happy with the depth they have on the offensive line.

“Landon Ray, a kid from Columbia – he’s had a great summer,” Cunningham said. “Derec Weyer, a kid from Harlan, Iowa, had a great summer. We’ll just have to see how it all pans out.

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