SMU Mustangs left tackle Ben Poynter (photo by Webmaster).

Running backs and receivers might get the majority of the touchdowns, and quarterbacks might get the majority of the headlines, but the argument can be made that no position on the field is as important as left tackle.

That's why the SMU coaches were able to take Ben Poynter, who made the Rimington Award Watch List as a junior in 2006 as one of the top centers in all of college football, and move him to left tackle this spring. With longtime starter Darrin Johnson graduating, Poynter gets the task of protecting quarterback Justin Willis' blind side.

Ben Ponyter (left) will flip over to cousin Tommy Poynter's other side with the move from center to offensive tackle (photo by Webmaster).

Coaches often say that no other position group on a team requires the familiarity and continuity needed on the offensive line, but Poynter said that will not be an issue when the season starts.

"It's not like I've never played the position before, so I'm not learning anything new," he said. "I played five games (at left tackle) in my redshirt freshman year, and I played a little right tackle last year against Arkansas State when Kenard Burley got banged up. I'm familiar with the guys on this line and the blocking schemes. That's not a worry at all."

The move came about at least in part because of Poynter's "team first" attitude.

"When I had my end-of-the-season meeting with Coach (Phil) Bennett, we talked about it then," Poynter said. "I was sort of a backup tackle, anyway, and I told him I'd play wherever he wanted me to, wherever he needed me. I'm going to be a senior now, so he asked how I felt about it, but I had no problem with making the move."

Ben Ponyter made the Rimington Award Watch List last season as one of the top centers in college football (photo by Webmaster).

Left tackle, while recognized as the closest thing there is to a "glamour position" on the offensive line, also is the position with the highest risk of failure, as a missed block can result in a sack, a fumble by the quarterback or even injury to the one player who handles the ball on every play.

"I'm excited about playing there," Poynter said. "Left tackle is the big (offensive line) position now. I know TCU has a right defensive end, Tommy Blake, who's supposed to be one of the best in the country. In their bowl game, he went against a tackle from Northern Illinois who's supposed to be a pretty high NFL draft pick, and (Blake) just tore him up, he really let him have it. That's the kind of challenge you get playing left tackle, and I'm looking forward to that."

Poynter will be replaced at center by Mitch Enright, who Poynter said is more than capable of taking over the job.

Ponyter returns to left tackle 20 to 25 lbs. bigger – and significantly stronger – than when he held the position down as a redshirt freshman (photo by Webmaster).

"He's definitely ready," Poynter said. "He got some plays in last year, and he's a smart guy -- he knows the position. He needs to keep putting on some weight, but he came out of a great program at Southlake Carroll, and he knows the offense, he knows all of the blocking schemes. He makes all the same calls at the line that I did. He'll do a great job."

The 6-foot-4 Poynter said he now weighs about 288 pounds, and expects to be up to about 295 by the time the Ponies report for two-a-days in August. While many teams are trotting out tackles who are several inches taller than Poynter, he said his size will not be a liability in any way.

"Our whole line, across the board, is what some people would call 'undersized,' but that's not really accurate," Poynter said. "Coach Bennett prefers linemen who are fast and explosive, and we are. You don't have to be 6-6 or 6-8 to play tackle -- there are a lot of guys that size who get drafted and turn out to be busts. I was about 268 when I played left tackle in my redshirt freshman year, and there were times when I was just holding on. I'm a lot bigger and stronger now. I'm ready to go."