By BRENT WORONOFF, Staff Writer Daytona Beach News-Journal
DAYTONA BEACH -- When Bethune-Cookman junior De'Juan Guillory found himself on this season's NCAA Football video game, his number was still wrong -- his doppelganger was wearing his freshman number of 98 -- and now his position was wrong, too.
"They still have me on defense," Guillory said.
But the Wildcats don't expect their opponents to have any trouble finding Guillory and fellow junior Reubin Mordecai on the field this season. The former defensive tackles are expected to anchor B-CU's revamped offensive line.
Mordecai, who is expected to start at right tackle, was moved to offense just before training camp last summer, while Guillory, who is now at left tackle, moved to the other side of the ball in midseason.
"This offense requires faster, quicker, more agile athletes (on the line)," B-CU offensive line coach Jeff Fagan said. "And those two fit the bill."
The players admit they are still learning their new positions, but they are feeling more and more comfortable every day.
"On defense you're more aggressive," said Mordecai, who started all 11 games at offensive tackle last year. "On offense you've got to think more and there's more, and to me there's more film. It was a hard transition at first. I didn't start getting into the groove of things until the last couple of games of the season.
"(But) the position is really growing on me, and I'm growing into the position. I feel this is where I'm supposed to be now."
Mordecai, a Mainland High graduate, found out about the switch 13 months ago, when he was informed of the team's plans by his next-door neighbor, who just happens to be B-CU head coach Alvin Wyatt.
"I was cutting the grass, and he came over and said, 'We need you to play offense this year. Do you want to do it?' " Mordecai said. "I said, 'Yes coach, I'll do anything to help my team win.' "
While the 6-foot-2, 285-pound Mordecai played both ways in high school, the move was completely foreign for the 6-foot-1, 275-pound Guillory, who played exclusively on the defensive front for Delray Beach Atlantic.
Guillory wasn't so sure about the switch, but Mordecai assured him blocking can be as fun as beating your man and making tackles.
"It was a big change," Guillory said. "But they show you much love over here on the offensive side of the ball. I just took my defensive mentality and moved it to offense, and I'm starting to like offensive line better."
OF NOTE: Freshman LB Emanuel Ware of Mainland is recovering from shoulder surgery and has delayed his enrollment until January. He is expected to participate in the Wildcats' spring practice and be a true freshman next year. . . . Freshman S Arkee Smith, who was turned down by the South Carolina admissions department, enrolled at B-CU and has begun practicing.
B-CU's Opener
Sept. 1, 4 p.m., vs. Jacksonville University
DAYTONA BEACH -- When Bethune-Cookman junior De'Juan Guillory found himself on this season's NCAA Football video game, his number was still wrong -- his doppelganger was wearing his freshman number of 98 -- and now his position was wrong, too.
"They still have me on defense," Guillory said.
But the Wildcats don't expect their opponents to have any trouble finding Guillory and fellow junior Reubin Mordecai on the field this season. The former defensive tackles are expected to anchor B-CU's revamped offensive line.
Mordecai, who is expected to start at right tackle, was moved to offense just before training camp last summer, while Guillory, who is now at left tackle, moved to the other side of the ball in midseason.
"This offense requires faster, quicker, more agile athletes (on the line)," B-CU offensive line coach Jeff Fagan said. "And those two fit the bill."
The players admit they are still learning their new positions, but they are feeling more and more comfortable every day.
"On defense you're more aggressive," said Mordecai, who started all 11 games at offensive tackle last year. "On offense you've got to think more and there's more, and to me there's more film. It was a hard transition at first. I didn't start getting into the groove of things until the last couple of games of the season.
"(But) the position is really growing on me, and I'm growing into the position. I feel this is where I'm supposed to be now."
Mordecai, a Mainland High graduate, found out about the switch 13 months ago, when he was informed of the team's plans by his next-door neighbor, who just happens to be B-CU head coach Alvin Wyatt.
"I was cutting the grass, and he came over and said, 'We need you to play offense this year. Do you want to do it?' " Mordecai said. "I said, 'Yes coach, I'll do anything to help my team win.' "
While the 6-foot-2, 285-pound Mordecai played both ways in high school, the move was completely foreign for the 6-foot-1, 275-pound Guillory, who played exclusively on the defensive front for Delray Beach Atlantic.
Guillory wasn't so sure about the switch, but Mordecai assured him blocking can be as fun as beating your man and making tackles.
"It was a big change," Guillory said. "But they show you much love over here on the offensive side of the ball. I just took my defensive mentality and moved it to offense, and I'm starting to like offensive line better."
OF NOTE: Freshman LB Emanuel Ware of Mainland is recovering from shoulder surgery and has delayed his enrollment until January. He is expected to participate in the Wildcats' spring practice and be a true freshman next year. . . . Freshman S Arkee Smith, who was turned down by the South Carolina admissions department, enrolled at B-CU and has begun practicing.
B-CU's Opener
Sept. 1, 4 p.m., vs. Jacksonville University
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