For most of his formative football playing years, Nick Wood loathed offensive linemen. As a defensive lineman, you’re conditioned to dislike the guys you battle against.

Defensive linemen will refer to their offensive counterparts as fat, lazy, unathletic and worse. Heck, it doesn’t even matter if they are on the same team. It’s a mind-set that defensive linemen have been conditioned to have. They are your enemy on the line of scrimmage, and there is nothing to like about the enemy.

Wood subscribed to such thinking, even cracking a devilish grin when asked about it Tuesday at Husky Stadium.

But any comments about that mentality were tempered and shaken off.

Why? Because Wood has become what he once despised.

After playing defensive line from his sophomore year in high school to his sophomore year with the Huskies, Wood was asked to make the transition from defensive to offensive line by coach Steve Sarkisian shortly after fall camp ended.

Just four weeks after that conversation, the 6-foot-3, 273-pound Wood has made a rapid transition into a serviceable offensive lineman with the potential to be solid.

How fast was the transition? He took his first game snaps at guard Saturday on the third series of the game against Notre Dame. And with starting left guard Greg Christine hampered by ankle problems, Wood played the fifth series and the entire second half.

“I was a little nervous when I first got out there,” Wood said. “I’m not going to lie to you. But it slows down. We try to practice with a really good intensity. Practice to game wasn’t too great of a difference. I thought it was going to be little faster.”

He certainly caught the eye of Sarkisian.

“For him to go in his first significant time of football at Notre Dame, in that environment, in that game, that’s a pretty special moment for him in his career,” Sarkisian said. “I was proud of him. He wasn’t perfect, but he battled and he competed and he showed an athletic effort that I think is a different makeup to our offensive line than we’ve had.”

The Huskies’ offensive line has been short on depth and athleticism since spring ball, hence the reason behind moving Wood.

“Usually your defensive linemen are a little more athletic, the transition for them is more natural,” offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier said.

Perhaps, but many of the defensive linemen often spent some time playing offensive line in high school. When you’re that big and strong, usually you are needed on both sides.

However, Wood played for powerhouse Poway High School in the San Diego area, and he played only defensive line.

“Freshman football was the last time I played offensive line,” he said before correcting himself. “Actually, I’ll take that back. During the state championship game my senior year at Qualcomm (Stadium in San Diego), we had a guy break his foot, and I just kind of got thrown in there in the second half.”

Despite the inexperience, he never wavered when Sarkisian asked him to make the switch.

“I said, ‘That’s great, Coach, I just want to get on the field,’” Wood said. “I just wanted to play and however I could help the team.”

What Wood found when he made the switch to offensive line is a newfound respect for the guys he used to mock.

“It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be, especially pass protection,” he said. “I thought it was going to be super easy, but it’s not at all.”

Offensive line isn’t about just being big or fast or strong. There’s a lot of technique – admittedly more than Wood ever thought. And now he’s trying to learn it at the Division I level.

“You really notice how much technique you need to have when you are going against guys like Daniel (Te’o-Nesheim, UW’s standout defensive end),” Wood said. “Just today, he made me look like an idiot. You always got to use technique first. It’s technique and effort.”

Wood is trying to soak up every ounce of offensive line coach Dan Cozzetto’s teachings. And Christine is helping as well.

After every series Wood played against Notre Dame, Christine talked to him about what was going on.

“He’s almost like a second coach with me, too,” Wood said of Christine. “He’s incredibly smart with the O-line. He knows what everyone is doing. He kind of sits down and works with me; he’s really helped me out. It’s a nice relationship.”

A cynic would find it difficult to understand since Wood is trying to take playing time away from Christine. But both players seem above personal glory.

“We’re competing with each other, but it says a lot about me and him both,” Wood said. “We’re both playing for the team. However, it best benefits the team with whichever role you got to carry. He’s a good friend and a teammate.”

Christine and Wood took turns with No. 1 offense Tuesday, and Sarkisian hasn’t announced who will be the starter Saturday against Arizona.

“We’ll find out,” he said. “We’ll see where Greg is from a physical standpoint. We’re going to need them both throughout the year.”

Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483

ryan.divish@thenewstribune.com

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