"I've played guard, tackle and center," Gobert begins. "Sometimes I've played them all in the same season."
The 6-1, 285-pound Gobert (pronounced go-BEAR) is athletic enough and bright enough to play anywhere along the line. But it is his willingness to do what's best for the team that has made him a jack-of-all-trades.
"I did well enough at left tackle in my first scrimmage as a freshman to be moved up to second string on the varsity," the computer science major recalled. "I was really happy.
"Then about two days before the final scrimmage, (offensive line coach Joe George) came up to me and said, 'Gobert, how do you feel about playing guard?' I said I would do whatever's best for the team."
A former all-district left tackle in high school at Houston Cy-Ridge, Gobert was quickly humbled at guard.
"I was absolutely demolished in that scrimmage," he said. "But I started learning the position and even played some in the season opener.
"Two weeks later, they moved me back to tackle. Then about halfway through the season, they moved me to center. I hadn't played center since pee-wee football, and I wound up starting the last four games at center."
Finally finished with a serpentine freshman season, Gobert spent the following spring and summer working on his snapping skills and the finer points of playing center.
"Two days into fall camp as a sophomore, I was moved back to left tackle," he said with a chuckle. "I told Coach George, 'That'll work. I'm not worried about where I play. I just want to play.'"
What happened next to Gobert was a new experience for him during his college career. He actually remained at the same position for an entire season.
gwille@temple-telegram.com
