Why SRU football’s Nathan Waltman, a Karns City grad, believes move to right tackle will pay off big
Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock senior running back and Pickerington North, Ohio, native Idris Lawrence poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock sophomore wide receiver Ethan Trettel and Butler native poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock senior defensive back and Pittsburgh native Eddie Faulkner IV poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock senior quarterback and Hanover native Brayden Long poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock senior quarterback and Hanover native Brayden Long poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock senior running back and Pickerington North, Ohio, native Idris Lawrence poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock sophomore wide receiver Ethan Trettel and Butler native poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock sophomore defensive back and Freeport native Ben Lane poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock sophomore defensive back and Freeport native Ben Lane poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock senior offensive lineman and Fenelton Nathan Waltman poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock senior offensive lineman and Fenelton Nathan Waltman poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock senior defensive back and Pittsburgh native Eddie Faulkner IV poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz during practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz during practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz during practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz during practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz during practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock’s Eddie Faulkner IV, Ethan Trettel, Brayden Long, coach Shawn Lutz, Nathan Waltman, Idris Lawrence, and Ben Lane pose for a portrait on on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock senior running back and Pickerington North, Ohio, native Idris Lawrence poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock sophomore wide receiver Ethan Trettel and Butler native poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock senior defensive back and Pittsburgh native Eddie Faulkner IV poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock senior quarterback and Hanover native Brayden Long poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock senior quarterback and Hanover native Brayden Long poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock senior running back and Pickerington North, Ohio, native Idris Lawrence poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock sophomore wide receiver Ethan Trettel and Butler native poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock sophomore defensive back and Freeport native Ben Lane poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock sophomore defensive back and Freeport native Ben Lane poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock senior offensive lineman and Fenelton Nathan Waltman poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock senior offensive lineman and Fenelton Nathan Waltman poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock senior defensive back and Pittsburgh native Eddie Faulkner IV poses for a portrait on August 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz during practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz during practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz during practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz during practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz during practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
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Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice on August 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle 08/18/24
SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University offensive line coach Chris Conrad noticed it right away.
Nathan Waltman, then a senior tight end for Karns City football, wasn’t so sure.
“When I first recruited him, I could see potential as an offensive tackle,” Conrad said. “I told Nathan, who weighed maybe 250 pounds at the time, that he could be an effective player there.
“Next time I saw him, he was down to 230 or so. I think I scared him,” Conrad added, laughing.
If he did, Waltman isn’t scared anymore.
After three years as a tight end at The Rock — starting occasionally — Waltman is moving to right tackle. He stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 285.
“I have to wear the fat for a while,” a smiling Waltman said. “But if this helps the team, it’s what I want to do. This is my last year, and this is the best way for me to get on the field, too.
“Four years ago, I wasn’t ready to consider a move like this. Now I’m comfortable with it and I’m getting more confident every day.”
SRU’s starting tight end, Kam Kruzelyak, caught 46 passes for 465 yards and four touchdowns last season. He returns and will dominate the tight end snaps this year. Waltman caught a handful of passes last season and scored his first collegiate touchdown.
Slippery Rock University senior offensive lineman and Fenelton Nathan Waltman poses for a portrait Aug. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
But The Rock graduated four stating offensive linemen from a year ago: left tackle Yuriy Hryckowian, left guard Colton Rossi, center Jeff Burkhart and right guard Nick Stazer. All four received either All-PSAC, All-Region or All-American honors a year ago.
“As good as those guys were last year, my job is to replace them,” Conrad said. “I’ve got 17 guys to work with in camp, and we’ll find the best combination, the guys who work the best together and go from there.
“The mental side of the game is so big when you’re talking offensive line. Nathan has a big edge there. He’s an extremely intelligent kid.”
Waltman said the decision to move him from tight end to tackle occurred at the end of last season.
SRU head coach Shawn Lutz signed off on the idea immediately.
“He’s a good kid, and I know how hard he works,” Lutz said. “There’s a bit of an adjustment for him to make, but he’s been primarily a blocking tight end, so we know how well he can block.”
Lutz called Waltman “a powerful blocker who is only going to get better. He’s so athletic and very smart. He carries a 3.5 grade point average. If anybody can pull off this move, he can.”
Waltman admitted the biggest adjustment standing in front on him is pass protection.
“That’s a technique I’ve never done,” he said.
“It’s one thing to be able to get down and block. Nathan’s a physical, strong kid, we know that won’t be a problem. He’s been doing that,” Conrad said. “It’s dropping back and being able to pick off that defensive end charging hard around the end. ... That will be all new to him.
“I’m not worried, though. Nathan got better and better at it during spring football, and I’m sure that improvement will continue throughout summer camp. He’s a pretty motivated guy right now.”
Slippery Rock University’s football team during a morning practice Aug. 16, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Conrad is in his 13th year as a coach at The Rock and could recall only one other time a Rock tight end moved to offensive tackle. That player wound up leaving the program.
“I usually get defensive linemen moving over to offense ... nothing like this,” the coach said.
“All I want to do is contribute to this team’s success on the field,” Waltman said. “This is my way to do that. I’m grateful for this opportunity. This is a chance for me to take on a bigger role.
“My goals aren’t personal ones. I want to help us win the PSAC championship, get back to the playoffs, reach the Final Four and take our chances from there. I’m excited about what we have going on here.”
