Jonah Monheim to Start Fall Camp at Left Tackle for the Trojans
The expectation this past spring along the USC offensive line was for Jonah Monheim to be on the move. After starting seven games at right tackle in 2021 and 11 there in 2022, Monheim had the look of a future guard for the Trojans. He started three games last fall at right guard, and both he and offensive line coach Josh Henson spoke about his future position likely being in the interior of the offensive line.
Monheim didn’t wind up moving this past spring, returning to that right tackle spot and playing well there. But he won’t be back there this fall. At least, not to start fall camp.
Henson said during Thursday’s USC media day that Monheim and Michael Tarquin have flipped tackle positions heading into camp. Tarquin, a veteran transfer from Florida, spent all of spring ball with the Trojans at left tackle. Though, a bulk of his experience with the Gators came at right tackle.
Henson talked about what went into making the move to look at Monheim at left tackle.
“Just probably Jonah’s consistency,” Henson said. “Just how consistent he is on a rep-by-rep basis. One thing that happens on the offensive line, you don’t ever want to lose fast. If you lose slow, your quarterback still has a chance. Obviously our quarterback’s pretty mobile. And then having that guy on the left side with that consistency. The things that happen on the right side, your eyes see it a little more out of your peripheral vision than it does on the left.”
This likely won’t be the last move the offensive line sees this fall. USC landed Emmanuel Pregnon in the transfer portal after spring ball ended. He and Gino Quinones will likely battle for a guard spot opposite Jarrett Kingston. But Kingston has some tackle experience as well.
Henson said it’s likely the Trojans will move linemen around and look at a number of players on the left and right sides.
“We’re trying to figure out what our best combination is, where guys are best suited,” Henson said. “When I was playing, sometimes where I ended up at wasn’t so much about me as it was maybe about the other couple of guys who were competing for those other spots. And if one guy won that spot, it might move one of your other good players to a different spot.
“There are places to start,” Henson said. “We’ll see where we finish.”
There’s no guarantee Monheim will start the season opener at left tackle. But it’s a vote of support from Henson that Monheim is getting the opportunity to really show what he can do on that side. The USC coach previously compared Monheim to Mitch Morse, who played for Henson at Missouri. Morse was a tackle for the Tigers before moving to center in the NFL. Morse became the highest-paid center in the league when he signed with the Bills in 2019. He made the Pro Bowl in 2022. Henson made the comparison Thursday, with Monheim as a player who could play tackle in college and then move inside in the NFL.
“Do I think that’s probably Jonah’s future? Yes,” Henson said. “Do I think he can be a great player as a tackle in college? I do.”
