Ikard on the move again?

Gabe Ikard has played center exclusively this spring but might be moved back to left guard when two-a-days arrive in August.

The McGuinness product pushed his way into the starting lineup at left guard as a redshirt freshman. He played seven games at center last year when veteran center Ben Habern was sidelined by a broken forearm.

Habern has been sidelined this spring by a neck injury.

“If I end up playing guard in the fall it would be better to get reps at guard,” Ikard said. “But Ben is out with a neck injury and you can’t do anything about it.”

Ikard said there is a mental advantage from playing center.

“It helps me learn the offense even more,” Ikard said. “You have to know all the calls, know where the defense is going to bump, when safeties are going to roll down.

“I’m beginning to see things before they happen… For now blocking is blocking. They put me somewhere and I’ll just block people.”

Ikard said players are glad a six-week grind is about over.

“We’re excited to do all this stuff and it builds to the spring game,” Ikard said. “You’re excited to play, but excited to get it over with, excited not to have to hit each other for a while…

“(But) the spring game is always fun with the fans out there. I’m sure it will be really hot, a fun time.”