By Moses Leos III
Texas State redshirt sophomore and Hays High graduate Will Trevillion has experienced the challenge of adhering to the college football life.
Playing in nine games as a defensive lineman in 2014, Trevillion became indoctrinated to the strenuousness of Division I football.
But 2015 offers a new challenge for Trevillion, who opted to become a center roughly two week ago. It’s lessons learned during his high school days that Trevillion believes will help him succeed at his new position.
“It’s going good,” Trevillion said of his transition during Texas State media day on Aug. 18. “I’m trying the best to get to where I want to be and where I need to be to help this team out. That’s all that matters at the end of the day.”
Trevillion’s move to offense was done in part to assist Texas State’s search for a new center. Last season Texas State lost both of its starting centers to graduation.
Bobcat head coach Dennis Franchione said during Media Day that Texas State’s offensive line is “starting to look like” a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) line and is gaining depth. But one of the biggest question marks was at center.
It was Trevillion who approached Franchione and expressed his desire to play on offense.
“I was just like, ‘coach, I can snap.’ I played offense and defense and I played offensive line in high school. I kind of miss it sometimes,” Trevillion said. “So they took me onto the offense and they had me snap a few times.”
The move was a drastic change for Trevillion, who had played on the defensive line since his senior year at Hays High in 2013.
Last season saw Trevillion collect nine tackles and three solo stops on the defensive line. His statistics include a season high two tackles against Idaho and in the Bobcat’s triple-overtime game against Tulsa.
Heading toward the other side of the line presents an increased challenge. Texas State’s offense, led by junior quarterback Tyler Jones, runs an up-tempo, no-huddle scheme that produced 464 yards of total offense. Texas State finished the 2014 season ranked 24th in the FBS in total offense.
But Trevillion, who played on the offensive line under former Hays head coach Blake Feldt, was confident he could keep up. Trevillion said he had to adapt to Feldt and offensive coordinator Billy Gambs’ no-huddle scheme when he played at Hays.
During his junior season, Trevillion played on the offensive line and played guard for Hays High. Trevillion said he didn’t think moving to offense at Texas State “would be a problem at all.”
“From that experience, it’s not as hard (to make the transition),” Trevillion said. “I have the footwork, I have the snapping, I have the ability. I have to the get back into the mix.”
Playing on the defensive line could also play a factor. Trevillion said he would be able to utilize the skills and techniques learned on defense to help him better understand opponents across the line.
“I can take some of those things I learned as a defensive lineman and take that to the offensive line,” he said. “To look at their stance and how they’re lined up and knowing what they are going to do. “
Franchione lauded his ability to quickly speed back into the swing of things on offense.
“He’s only been there two days and it’s amazing how well he’s done,” Francine said on Aug. 18. “He played center in high school, you can tell. Picking up a system is difficult when you make a move like that. He’s done a great job.”
Trevillion said helping Texas State vie for a bowl bid in 2015 is a goal. The ability for him to play close to home is also something he cherishes.
“I love San Marcos. I love Hays County…I’ve loved it since I’ve been here. It’s been a great ride,” Trevillion said. “This is a great school and a great opportunity to play near my hometown.”
