Is moving Kayden Lyles to nose tackle a good idea?

Wisconsin football offensive linemen Kayden Lyles is being moved to nose tackle for 2018.

With Wisconsin’s strength on the offensive line and weakness on the defensive line heading into 2018, it was only a matter of time before somebody was rumored to switch sides of the ball. There was a buzz around Kayden Lyles being the one to make the switch, but it finally became official.

Lyles was a highly regarded offensive line recruit from Wisconsin. The Badgers beat out a lot of other big programs for his services two years ago. After redshirting last year, Lyles was looking at only being a reserve for a dominant offensive line. Now, he’s going to be shoring up a thin defensive front.

Lyles played defensive line in high school as well as his natural position on the offensive line. At 6’3 and more than 300 pounds, it’s not difficult to understand why. Lyles is athletic for his size and has a good football IQ. The Badgers figured he was the best option to move over the defense for 2018. It remains unclear if the move is permanent or not.

Is this a smart move?

Lyles must have been on board with the decision since it has gone from rumor to fact over the last few weeks. The Wisconsin coaching staff wouldn’t force him to play a position against his will. But that doesn’t necessarily make it a good idea.

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Sure, the offensive line is in great. The Badgers have more than enough guys to play the guard position next year ahead of Lyles. It was a good problem to have. And it’s true the defensive line was going to be thin behind Olive Sagapolu. The move makes sense in theory.

Moving Lyles from one position to the other seems like a sharp turn in the wrong direction for his long-term development on the offensive line. I like the size he brings to the nose tackle position, and his experience is valuable too. Even if he hasn’t played defense since high school, he’s been in Wisconsin’s system for over a year now, unlike true freshman Bryson Williams.

Lyles will have to sharpen a new set of skills that won’t necessarily translate back to offense if he makes the switch back. If he plays any significant amount of snaps on defense in 2018 I think the move will be permanent. Especially if he plays well.

Sagapolu is a senior and will be gone next year. The only other nose tackle on the roster will be Williams. Wisconsin has recruited some other defensive tackles in the class of 2019, but they will be freshmen and may be moved to the end positions in the scheme.

If Lyles shows promise at nose tackle it’s not difficult to see him staying there to finish his career as a Badger. He will become the most experienced nose tackle as soon as 2019 camp starts. If he goes back to the offensive line, he’s going to have to re-sharpen those skills and still may be behind some others for a starting spot.

I’m comfortable with Lyles making the switch as long as he stays there. I think it makes sense if he’s happy with the situation given the future it lines him up for. Lyles was somebody I was looking forward to seeing eventually bulldozing opposing nose tackles, but Wisconsin has done a great job of developing linemen in the past.

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The offensive line should be fine without Lyles in the mix. If he helps keep the defensive line afloat this could prove to be a brilliant move by all parties involved.