YSU sophomore Larson battling to start


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Youngstown State off ensive lineman Zach Larson (56) practices hits Wednesday at YSU’s Stambaugh Stadium. Larson, who has the reputation for his off -the-fi eld antics, has received more attention this spring for his on-fi eld exploits.

By Joe Scalzo

scalzo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Last summer, at the end of training camp, Youngstown State offensive lineman Zach Larson took center stage at the freshman talent show and broke out his impersonations of head coach Eric Wolford, offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery and defensive assistant Ron Stoops.

“The guys loved it,” said Larson, who was both an All-Ohio lineman for Cardinal Mooney in 2009 and the best interview on the team. “Coach Montgomery used to make me come into his office and do his impersonation.

“The coaches really caught onto it.”

When asked to show off his Montgomery impression, Larson showed off a pretty good rural Ohio accent (Montgomery hails from Newark) and said, “Kurt, we got 12 rope on. See the backer walked up? What are we gonna check to? What’s your reads here? Can we check Cook to the backfield? What can we do to better ourselves as a football team?”

Then, when asked to show his Wolford accent, Larson laughed and said, “That’s a big yell followed by some words that probably aren’t going to make the paper, so I’m going to keep the Coach Wolf one out now.”

Larson was known more for his off-the-field talents last fall — he quickly gained the reputation as the team’s funniest player — but he’s gotten more attention this spring for his on-field exploits. He got the most reps of any lineman in last Saturday’s scrimmage and holds a slight edge on sophomore Andrew Sinko for the starting left guard spot.

“Zach’s a competitor,” said Wolford. “Football’s important to him and he’s one of those guys who always find a way.

“He’s played in this stadium, he knows what it means to work hard and he knows what it means to win championships. He knows what it means to give extra effort.”

Larson (6-foot-3, 285 pounds) was listed at 300 pounds last fall and he immediately dropped 20 pounds after the season, hoping to regain the weight via better-distributed muscle. Much of the lost weight came from his midsection, as he replaced hamburgers and pizza with salads and yogurt.

“That buffet at dinner had some of my favorites,” said Larson, who saw action as a reserve guard against Butler and Central Connecticut State last fall. “That was kind of hard for me but I’m just doing whatever I can for the team right now.”

Wolford believes linemen need two years to develop and Larson admits he’s still a work in progress. He credits strength coach Mike Cochran and cornerbacks coach Rollen Smith for getting him closer to college condition.

“They’re still on my case every day about getting stronger,” he said, “and I agree with them.”

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