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Offensive lineman Jalen Rivers sat down for a media availability session today, providing insights on his transition to left tackle, the challenges of integrating new faces on the offensive line, and his outlook for the upcoming season.
The Transition to Tackle
Jalen Rivers, who has displayed his versatility by playing multiple positions on the offensive line over the years, is settling back into the tackle role. "I came in as a tackle when I first came in and then turned into playing really all the positions on the field," Rivers said. The veteran lineman feels his adaptability is an asset, allowing him to transition smoothly: "I feel like I've been working on versatility since I came in. I'm doing fine, and I'm a workaholic too, so I just work at everything I do."Mentoring Francis Mauigoa
When asked about his advice for Francis Mauigoa, a true freshman expected to start at right tackle, Rivers offered a vote of confidence. "Not only the coaches trust him, but the players trust him," Rivers noted. "He's been working at it all the time; he's very smart for his age." Rivers expressed his excitement for what Mauigoa can bring to the table, adding that they've been preparing him to face adversity at the college level.The Opening Game Jitters
With the first game of the season approaching, excitement levels are undoubtedly high. Rivers, however, emphasized the need to balance that excitement with focus. "Our biggest thing is to not let the excitement get to us and really just focus and dial in our task at hand and winning this game," he said.Learning from Last Season
As the only returning offensive line starter who also started in game one of last year, Rivers is optimistic about the O-line's physicality and production this year. "We're way bigger and all that stuff, but we've been building that chemistry, and we're excited to play our first game," Rivers added.Coaching Influence
In his second year under offensive line coach Alex Mirabal and head coach Mario Cristobal, Rivers had high praise for both."You start with Coach Mirabal, I feel like he's a great offensive line coach. I mean, I always say this and I give him his props, but he develops me, like he does a great job of building in me and everybody else because he does not let up. He does not care who you are, the status– you can be a five-star coming in or first-team whatever. If he sees something you're slacking, he's going to get on you, he's going to jump on you. So, I think that's very important for developing in general, but people that want to go to the next level, it's very important to have that coach.”
“And then tag along with Coach Mirabal, you have Coach Cristobal, your head coach, and he was a former O-lineman here. So, it's good to have him and because he's been through all the ups and downs and he had a lot of ups during the years he played here. So, he knows what it takes to have a winning team, and it's great to have him in the O-Line room as well because he'll pop in sometimes or on the field he gets his two cents in. So, it's very important for him to do that."
