Oct. 14, 2004

Charleston, SC - Antwuan Hill has moved all over The Citadel's depth chart this season, from the defensive line to tight end to the offensive line.

He likes his current home, starting at right tackle, the best.

"I get to eat now," said the 6-4, 275-pound junior from Cartersville, Ga.

Hill, who began fall football practice as a 290-pound defensive tackle, had been watching his weight since Citadel coaches moved him to tight end before the season started. He got down to about 270 pounds so he could better run the pass routes demanded of a tight end.

But when Citadel coaches moved him again to tackle a couple of weeks ago, Hill happily put an end to his carb-counting.

"When I saw him the other day, he told me he was at about 273 pounds," said offensive line coach John Patterson. "I told him he didn't have to lose any more weight, but we don't want him at 300 pounds, either. The reason we like him at tackle is that he's an athletic linemen, instead of a big overweight guy."

Hill, who made his first start at right tackle in last week's 29-0 victory over Benedict, is actually back at home on the offensive line. He made his name as a blocking tight end at Cartersville High School, where he opened holes for current Auburn star running back Ronnie Brown.

"We were famously known for our down blocking in the wing-T," Hill said. "We had Ronnie Brown in our backfield, and we won the state championship in 1999."

But when Hill arrived at The Citadel in 2002, he was moved to the defensive line. He was good enough to play in 12 games as a freshman, and last season started two games and played in 11.

Hill was listed as a backup to junior Fred Townsend at defensive tackle coming into the season, but shortly after fall practice started, Patterson came to Hill with an idea.

"We were really looking for a blocking tight end, someone who could be a mass mover," Patterson said. "He was doing fine there, but we found the other guys we had there were doing about as well, and he really wasn't playing as much as he should be for an athlete of his caliber.

"We were looking for another way to get him on the field, so we moved him from tight end to tackle, and he's done well there, too."

The move suited Hill, who admitted he never quite got used to thinking like a defensive lineman.

"That's where my heart was, on the offensive line," Hill said. "So I was very happy with that side of the ball. I always felt a little out of position on the defensive side, because I really didn't have a defensive mindset.

"One thing I didn't like about defense was getting cut by the offensive linemen. On offense, you can cut someone. And I like it, because it's all-out war from the snap and you are the one that gets to strike the first blow."

Said Patterson, "His attitude has really helped his transition. He's a very positive kid, very upbeat and wants to learn and wants to please and do good. He's got a very good work ethic and has gotten on task quickly."

Hill's move to right tackle and the return of center Jay Thomas, who sat out the Benedict game with injury, help shore up the offensive line heading into Saturday's game at No. 8 Furman. Patterson said the starting group, which also includes sophomores Cale Conant and Dusty Benefield and junior Adam Hastings and is the least experienced part of the Bulldogs' team, is making progress.

"We've played 10 to 12 different guys there this year," Patterson said. "And we've found there's not much difference between the first and second groups, so why not keep a fresh person in there? These kids will be together the next two or three years; there are no seniors on the two-deep.

"We're trying to build something here, and not just trying to get through the next game."