Unt Notebook - Santiago & Other Moves

[MeanGreen61]

College Notebook: Santiago moves to offensive line for UNT

El Paso standout to move to guard

08:42 AM CDT on Wednesday, April 11, 2007

This spring, Esteban Santiago is headed back to the position where he had the most success during his high school career at El Paso Coronado.

Santiago began the spring as a defensive lineman, but has shifted to offense, where he is expected to challenge for playing time at guard as a redshirt freshman. The move was one of a few minor position changes UNT has made since the start of spring workouts.

UNT also moved redshirt freshman Tony Taveras from wide receiver to outside linebacker.

“We think Esteban is a guy who can step in and contribute,” UNT head coach Todd Dodge said. “It’s a natural move for guys to go from defensive to offensive line. He has tremendous upside.”

Santiago, 6-5, 275, showed that potential in practice last season, which he sat out as a redshirt.

Shifting Santiago to offense could also provide the Mean Green some much-needed depth on a shallow offensive line. UNT barely has enough linemen for its two-deep depth chart, and has just two offensive line signees set to join the team in the fall.

One of those signees, J.J. Johnson of Plano West, is a center. UNT is already two deep at center with returning starter Chad Rose and highly regarded redshirt freshman Kelvin Drake.

UNT lost two offensive linemen to graduation, including All-Sun Belt Conference selection Dylan Lineberry at guard. Junior tackle Jeremy Brown elected not to return for his senior season.

UNT is much deeper at linebacker, but will lose Maurice Holman, Brandon Monroe and Derek Mendoza to graduation after the season.

Taveras started his career at UNT as a running back before joining a long list of players Dodge’s new staff shifted to wide receiver in spring practice.

—Brett Vito

UNT BRIEFS

Football

Dodge: Seidle could be key at LB in future

A change in UNT’s offensive philosophy has sent Bryant Seidle into a whole new role with the Mean Green this spring.

Seidle was among the Mean Green’s most promising young players last season, when he played in 11 games at tight end and caught a pair of passes.

Seidle has moved to linebacker in spring practice and is now buried behind a host of experienced players, including several who have started for extended periods of their careers, such as Maurice Holman and Brandon Monroe.

While Seidle might not have as many opportunities to contribute this season, he could be a key player on defense in the future, head coach Todd Dodge said.

“We are deep at linebacker, but we have a lot of seniors there who are graduating,” Dodge said. “He could help us in the future and he also has a chance to be a specialty player on offense.”

Dodge is considering using several of the tight ends and fullbacks on the Mean Green’s roster in certain situations on defense this season.

—Brett Vito