Braylon Hyder

[PonyPride]

Talk to SMU offensive lineman Braylon Hyder and the first thing you'll notice is that he doesn't look the same. In fact, he said after last week's Kickoff Luncheon that he has lost "about 35 pounds" since last season, weighing in last week at 313.

Hyde first said he is, once again, healthy, after missing a few practices with a leg injury. Initially, he feared it was a torn meniscus, but was relieved to learn that it was, instead, a contusion on the IT (Iliotibial) band, so a little time off had him up and running again.

He also discussed the versatility that has made him so valuable, by allowing him to jump back and forth between center and guard during the Mustangs' preseason camp. He was adamant about the fact that he enjoys both positions, and gladly will play wherever offensive line coach Dustin Fry puts him ... but he acknowledged that he might enjoy playing guard a little more, because in SMU's offense, guards are asked to pull more, and he seriously enjoys it when he gets his momentum going and can line up a linebacker or defensive back, knowing that even with his slimmer physique, he's going to win those collisions the vast majority of the time.