Air Force football notes: Darden learning on the line

Air Force junior tackle Chase Darden has taken snaps with the first-team offense in recent practices because of an injury to starting left tackle Ryan Gonzales.

The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Darden was a defensive linemen in high school and during his first two seasons at the academy. But he was moved to the offensive line about halfway through spring practices.

“I met with (defensive line) coach (Ron) Burton, and he said based on my skill set he thought offense was probably a better place for me,” Darden said.

Darden said his transformation to offensive lineman is “a work in progress.”

“I wish the learning curve was not quite so steep, but I like” playing offensive line, he said.

Air Force coach Troy Calhoun described Darden’s progress as “two steps forward, one step back.”

“By and large he’s headed in the right direction,” Calhoun said. “What I’d like to see him do here over the next two weeks, though, is just down in and down out be more exact and be faster. He’s got ability, and he’s at the right position, but it doesn’t mean a hoot if he’s not able to do it every single down. And he can.”

Etc.
Air Force began Monday’s practice outside, moved inside because of the weather and then moved back outside.