After playing his entire high school and college football career as a tight end, Rhett Myers found himself in an unfamiliar position this year.
With a pair of senior tight ends ahead of him on the depth chart, Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun and offensive line coach Steed Lobotzke moved Myers to offensive tackle. But after playing only in mop-up duty the first nine games, an ACL injury to starting tight end Kade Waguespack led coaches to move Myers back to tight end.
So for the final three games of the season, the senior from Columbus East rotated with Les Dalger at tight end. That’s where they’ll be on Friday when the 24th-ranked Falcons play Washington State in the Cheez-It Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Myers said. “We’ve won a lot of games, so that’s been great. The last three games, I’ve gotten to play a decent amount, so it’s a good way to finish the year and finish my career.”
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When he moved to tackle, Myers put on about 25 pounds to bulk up to 275.
“They were trying to find a way to get some more depth at tackle, so I practiced that all through the fall,” Myers said. “Football is football. Playing anywhere is fun. I got to learn a new position. It was a good experience.”
Since moving back to tight end, Myers has dropped about eight pounds. He mainly is used for blocking in short yardage, goal-line and inside run situations, although he caught one pass for eight yards in a win at Colorado State.
“I was also excited about that switch,” Myers said. “I knew that was going to give me some playing time. Unfortunately, we had an injury there. It was just like riding a bike. I picked it back up.”
After not seeing action his first two years at Air Force, Myers played some special teams and got a few snaps at tight end last season. In addition to his offensive line and tight end reps this year, he also is on the field goal team.
“It’s been a fun experience getting to contribute on the field,” Myers said.
Myers plans to graduate May 28 will a degree in civil engineering. All Air Force graduates serve at least five years on active duty, and he will find out in February or March where he will be stationed and in what role. Myers, who flew 12 1/2 hours with a flight instructor this summer, has requested a pilot’s role.
On Friday, Air Force (10-2) will be favored against a 6-6 Washington State team. The Falcons will be playing in a bowl game for the first time since Myers’ freshman year.
“We’ve missed the last two seasons, only winning five games, so that was our No. 1 goal coming into this year — to get to a bowl game,” Myers said. “Playing Washington State is a good opportunity, getting to play a Pac-12 team, so we’re very excited about that.”
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Cheez-It Bowl
Who: Air Force (10-2) vs. Washington State (6-6)
When: 10:15 p.m. Friday
Where: Phoenix, Arizona
TV: ESPN
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