Auburn offensive line coach J.B. Grimes has been meticulous in working with his new group since previous coach Herb Hand hit the road for Texas.
The O-line has visibly flourished under his watch during spring practice, sans a few nasty injuries. Grimes has plenty of sizeable talent to work with, but there may be none more physically imposing on the line than the 6-foot-7, 300-pound Prince Tega Wanogho.
Wanogho will likely start at left tackle next season for Auburn, but the Nigerian-born athlete isn't taking his situation for granted. According to his head coach, Wanogho’s play since last season to this spring has been night and day.
“Last week, a light came on,” Malzahn said. “Prince’s ceiling is very high. He’s very talented. He does have experience, and he’s a guy that we have challenged to take that next step.”
“Experience,” while technically accurate, might be far-fetched for Wanogho’s position. The Montgomery product, who had already switched sports from basketball to football after leaving his home country, was the No. 9 prospect at his defensive line position coming out of high school. He was recruited by former defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to be a quarterback killer.
Wanogho moved to tackle in 2016 before starting seven games for the Tigers last season. Now, suddenly, the d-line transplant is one of Grimes’ anchors for the 2018 season.
The rising junior admits lack of basics played a part in his early struggles last season, highlighted by the unit’s 11 sacks given up Week 2 vs. Clemson. Grimes is now painstaking with Wanogho in his fundamentals.
"He's pretty tough, too," Wanogho said of his new position coach. "He's all about fundamentals and I think we need that. Like everyone, all the linemen, we really need that."
Auburn’s offense has found itself trapped in a whirlwind of injuries this spring, resulting in multiple first and second-team lineups from practice to practice. Now a veteran in the blink of an eye, Wanogho is tasked with leading a unit that Grimes hopes will blossom under competition, with three of the five spots essentially at a neck-and-neck race.
For the Nigerian who once dreamed of playing in the NBA, the opportunity to lead an SEC offensive line to success likely wasn’t on his radar four years ago. But he’s certain the timing couldn’t be better.
“It’s a gradual thing. It’s just the right time to take that step,” Wanogho said. “We’ve got a lot of young players right now and I just feel like it’s the right time. I played last year so I feel like they look up to me, and I try to take that step to lead them. Just be a leader out there.”
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