Dominick Giudice is emerging as a key piece at Mizzou
All spring, players and coaches shared praise for a certain transfer who had just joined the Missouri Tigers.
Dominick Giudice got shouted out in interview after interview. Whether it was for picking up the playbook quickly. For jumping in and taking starting center reps with Connor Tollison still recovering from his injury. And even for taking on a leadership role though he had just gotten to campus.
But his role remained uncertain with the impending return of Tollison as a fourth-year starter at center.
“Just tons of experience, really knowledgeable about the game,” Giudice said about Tollison. “Just being able to learn as much as I can from him as well. Since I am a little bit newer to offensive line, just grabbing on to those guys since they have a lot of experience, has been really beneficial.”
Defensive mentality
Giudice started his career at Michigan as an edge rusher. But during his sophomore season, he began to transition to the offensive line.
And since that season, he became a stalwart backup center for Michigan before hitting the transfer portal. Now he will bring that defensive line mentality to the Tiger offensive line.
“I think that’s been pretty beneficial,” Giudice said of starting his career on defense. “First off for, like, playing offensive line with a defensive lineman mentality, being on the attack and not reacting. I think that’s a big, big bonus for me. But also being able to look at a defense and kind of how schemes are run.”
Since the start of fall camp, with Tollison back playing center, Giudice has shifted into the competition at right guard. It seems more and more likely each day that he has won the right guard job and will start there, highlighting his versatility as a player.
“I’ll do whatever is best for the team at the end of the day,” Giudice said. “I do like being able to have that versatility. I think that just is more valuable being able to play all three positions, center and both guards. So at the end of the day, I’ll do whatever is best for the team. The best five will be out there.”
Strong right side
And with Giudice at right guard, the Tigers will have two transfers on the right side of the line. Giudice has spent a lot of time getting to know Wake Forest transfer tackle Keagan Trost and bonding with him to create a strong right side of the line.
“We both came in at that same time in that portal window,” Giudice said. “… The offensive line hangs out a lot. Like, literally all the time. We’re in the facility all the time together and, you know, just being able to rely upon each other and building that trust. Like we said, being able to play right guard and right tackle next to him. I mean, he’s a great player, has a lot of experience. So just kind of using each other to learn a little bit more.”
Trost isn’t the only member of the line Giudice has bonded with. He said the amount of time the offensive line spent together in the spring and summer has built strong relationships throughout. And has helped Giudice continue to take a leadership role even though he’ll only be with the Tigers for one season.
“I think just kind of all the traits that were taught here. From the weight staff, from coach Drink and taking that over into practicing,” Giudice said. “Kind of making that role as an offensive line. I think that one of our, what we talk about is, you know, running the ball, stopping the run and covering kicks. So I think as far as running the ball, the offensive line needs to take charge and be able to lead the team.”
Five playing as one
But the only way for the line to take charge is if they all work together.
The Tiger coaching staff has talked a lot about five playing as one and Giudice knows that is the key to success in the trenches.
“As the offensive line, we’ve spent a lot of time together getting in extra work throughout the summer, throughout the spring, really kind of leaning on each other,” Giudice said. “Because as an offensive line, you need, you know, five playing as one. Everyone needs to be on the same page.”
Now Giudice will combine all he learned in four years at Michigan and what he’s already learned in his short time at Mizzou. As he finishes his college career, Giudice is hoping to continue the team success he had at Michigan and the individual success that can come through his development with Mizzou.
“I’ve been able to learn a lot being here,” Giudice said. “Getting developed by the great staff that we have here. A lot of offensive line help, a lot of great guys here. So kind of taking what I’ve learned and taking it to the next step at Mizzou.”
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