Position changes can be subtle, but as in the case of Eddie Jackson a year ago, they can make a huge impact. Jackson was struggling at cornerback for Alabama in 2014, so he moved to safety in the offseason and was selected to the 2015 All-SEC team by the coaches.
Not every move works out that well, but here are five SEC players who have either moved or are experimenting with new positions this spring.
Jason Croom, Tennessee (WR to TE): After spending his entire career at wide receiver, Croom is moving to tight end for his fifth and possibly final season at Tennessee. Listed at 6-foot-5, 246 pounds, it’s not hard to see why the coaches wanted to make the move. He’s big enough to play alongside an offensive lineman and block for running plays, but because of his athleticism and experience as a receiver, he’ll present matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. There’s still plenty for Croom to learn, but if he can pick it up, he can become a dangerous weapon for the Vols on offense.
Hjalte Froholdt, Arkansas (DL to OL): Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema approached Froholdt this offseason about switching from defense to offense, and the two agreed it was in his best interest to make the move. Froholdt, a native of Denmark, admits that his reaction skills might have been a tad slow to play on the defensive line in the SEC. But now, as an offensive lineman, he knows the play before the ball is snapped, which automatically gives him an advantage. And based on early results from spring practice, the move couldn’t have worked out better. Froholdt was working with the first-team offense at guard Tuesday.
Austin Golson, Auburn (C to LT): If you ask Tigers coach Gus Malzahn, his returning center is playing some at left tackle for emergency situations only. However, new offensive-line coach Herb Hand had a different story when talking with the media. Hand said Golson and former Texas transfer Darius James are locked in a heated competition for the starting job. Regardless of who you believe, the move makes sense. Auburn is short on tackles after both Shon Coleman and Avery Young declared early for the NFL draft, and Golson played right tackle as a freshman at Ole Miss before transferring to Auburn.
Jeremy Liggins, Ole Miss (TE to OT): This isn’t the first time Liggins has experimented at offensive tackle. Last spring, he took some reps there before moving back to tight end. However, with starting tackles Laremy Tunsil and Fahn Cooper both gone, there’s more of a need there and the chances of Liggins sticking are much higher. In fact, Liggins has been playing right tackle with the first-team offense for the majority of spring practice to this point. And let’s not forget, the 6-foot-3, 302-pound senior came to Ole Miss as a quarterback.
Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama (OG to C): It’s always hard to replace a team’s center, but it’s especially hard when that player has started each of the past three seasons as Ryan Kelly had for Alabama. Knowing how important the position is to the offense, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban asked Pierschbacher -- the team’s starting left guard for all 15 games of the 2015 season -- if he had any interest in moving to center. Pierschbacher was open to the move, and though nothing is set in stone, his flexibility this spring gives the Tide options.
Others
Rashaan Evans, Alabama (OLB to ILB)
Willie Hibbler, Ole Miss (TE to LB)
Jeremiah Ledbetter, Arkansas, (DE to DT)
Tanner Schorp, Texas A&M (DL to TE)
Corey Thompson, LSU (S to LB)