Jack Driscoll made the adjustment from Massachusetts to Auburn during his college football career. As the offensive lineman transitions from the Plains to the pros with the Philadelphia Eagles, he thinks that experience will help him now.
“It was a pretty seamless transition, but a lot of hard work went into it,” Driscoll said of his transfer to Auburn. “When I left UMass, I wanted to make sure I was in the best shape I could possibly be in. I was running, lifting every single day, stretching, because I wanted to make a strong impression on my teammates. I didn’t want them to think I was coming in being some plug-and-play guy who just takes it for granted.
“The one thing about UMass is we played five SEC teams in my two years starting there and a bunch of other P5 teams, so I had played the competition. I knew I belonged. For me, the biggest thing was winning the respect of my teammates and my coaches.”
The Eagles selected Driscoll in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
“I kind of have a leg up in one sense,” Driscoll said. “I had to go earn the respect of my teammates at Auburn from UMass. It’s going to be similar now. I’ll be the new guy in the room -- the youngest guy. Just keep my head down and prove to the fans that I belong to be there and that it was a great choice for them and show my teammates that I can contribute and help the team win ball games.”
The transition might be more than changing teams and levels of football for Driscoll. He started at right tackle in his two seasons at Auburn, and he’s listed on the Eagles’ roster as a tackle. But the NFL Draft listed him as a guard, a position where Philadelphia likely will give him a look.
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Driscoll is capable of playing any of the offensive-line positions.
“The thing about Jack, he’s very versatile,” Malzahn said. “He could play guard. He’s even snapped the football. He’s a very, very good athlete, and very smart, too, so he can play all five positions, and I think that will really help with his value.”
Driscoll said J.B. Grimes, Auburn’s offensive-line coach during his two seasons with the Tigers, and Kendall Simmons, an eight-year NFL guard and current Auburn analyst, gave him the idea of preparing to play more than tackle in the NFL.
“They both just said to me, ‘Look you might be able to play tackle in the NFL and you probably can, but at the same time a lot of teams will see you as an interior guy – center and guard,’” Driscoll said. “The more you can do, the more valuable you are to a team. If you can only play one position, you’re not really that valuable.”
Driscoll said he’d worked “really hard” at center before the draft.
“It’ll be a little transition because I’ve never played in games or whatnot,” Driscoll said, “but I’m comfortable that with the help from (Eagles offensive-line) coach (Jeff) Stoutland he’ll help me become the best center I can possibly be. One thing is I love to be coached, I loved to learn, so I’m excited for the new challenge. I’m excited to play a position that the Eagles have, obviously, had a tremendous amount of success at. It’s one of the reasons that O-line has been so good.”
Philadelphia returns four starting offensive linemen – center Jason Kelce, left guard Isaac Seumalo, right guard Brandon Brooks and right tackle Lane Johnson. After 16 NFL seasons, left tackle Jason Peters has not been re-signed, and the Eagles’ 2019 first-round draft choice, Andre Dillard, likely will get the first opportunity to fill that opening.
The Eagles have seven other offensive linemen on their veteran roster, but they added another Auburn tackle, Prince Tega Wanogho, with Driscoll in the draft.
“We started eight offensive linemen last year, and we’re playing playoff games without Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson,” Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman said about the Eagles’ offensive-line injuries last year. “Those are two of the best offensive linemen in the league. Those are two of the best players in the league.”
After earning a master’s degree at Auburn and a nomination for the William V. Campbell Trophy, college football’s “Academic Heisman,” Driscoll said he’d be ready for the cerebral side of playing on an NFL offensive line.
“A lot of fans don’t realize, but it takes not only physical toughness, but mental toughness and mental discipline because one little shift in the defense and the whole blocking scheme can change,” Driscoll said. “Audible and checks and all that and kills, so it’s something that really helps and being able to be a fast learner and pick things up quickly just makes it that much easier, especially I’m going to have to come in and learn a new offense. Also having the study habits I have from earning my master’s and my undergrad will just help me kind of understand for me how I learn and what the best way for me to do that is. They definitely help. Doesn’t necessarily mean just because you’re smart off the field, you’re a smart football player. But for me, I think it translates, and I’m really looking forward to learning the new system.”
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @AMarkG1.
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Jack Driscoll ready to make another football transition - AL.com
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