USC football’s fourth practice of the spring came alive with quotes from notable people inside the program. Trojans Wire was able to ask offensive line coach Josh Henson about offensive lineman Jonah Monheim. Monheim played the entire 2023 regular season anchoring Caleb Williams’ blind side at left tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, he would be the third-ranked returning offensive tackle in the country this season. However, Henson and the Trojans need him at center after Justin Dedich, the versatile three-year starter at guard and center, ran out of eligibility.
Monheim played right guard and right tackle in 2022, then he was asked to move to left tackle when the line didn’t come together as expected in the offseason. Monheim was draft-eligible after his redshirt sophomore year, but he elected to return to USC to put together film for scouts by playing on the interior, where he projects as a pro.
The move will be pivotal for the Trojans as they enter their first season in the Big Ten. Monheim will have three spring ball journeys and two seasons in Lincoln Riley’s offense, so he is a great candidate to make the crucial line calls expected of the center during games.
I asked Henson for his early impressions of Monheim moving to center this spring, what his strengths are, and where he needs to improve.
“Well, his strengths are that he is extremely intelligent,” said Henson. “He picks things up so fast; he’s a very fast learner. What he’s going to adjust to, interior wise, is just playing with lower pad level, hips low, elbow in, hands inside – all the things that when you are playing close to someone, that are bigger people, snap after snap, it’s a lot more of a power game on the interior than it is a finesse game. But so far, I would give him a really good grade. I would say the first four practices … he’s trending in the right direction.”
Henson and the Trojans will need Monheim’s versatility and quick learning as he acclimates to the new position. The Trojans need this adjustment to be seamless in order for the offensive line to be ready for September. USC faces LSU in Las Vegas to open the season. The Trojans will be in Ann Arbor to face the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines on September 21.
I asked Josh Henson about Jonah Monheim's strengths and what he needs to improve… pic.twitter.com/w90zj2eLwJ
— Tim Prangley (@Tim_Prangley) March 26, 2024
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