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LARAMIE -- His size isn’t ideal, but the positives of the rest of his game are for University of Wyoming true freshman offensive tackle Zach Wallace.

Wallace was named a starter this week at right tackle for UW’s game at Washington State Saturday. Wallace replaces sophomore Taylor Knestis, who suffered a concussion in the Cowboys’ 48-29 loss to Eastern Michigan last Saturday.

Wallace came in when Knestis got hurt in the second half. He also played some in UW’s opener two weeks ago against North Dakota.

At 6-foot-7, Wallace fits the mold of many offensive tackles. But he’s only 265 pounds, which is at least 40 to 50 pounds lighter than most who play at the college level.

But as the saying goes, size isn’t everything.

“He’s really bright and has good football instincts,” second-year UW coach Craig Bohl said. “While he’s light, his frame is such is that he’s able to play stronger than his frame indicates.

“There have been some freshman errors, but I cannot express how valuable those game reps are for a true freshman. He’s shown he can compete, and he’s not shied away from competition.”

Wallace is from Lake Zurich, Illinois, and committed to UW in the summer of 2014. He said UW coaches first discovered him at the Northwestern Showcase in Illinois, similar to a recruiting combine for high school players.

Wallace was given a three-star rating out of five by ESPN.com coming out of high school, and it also ranked him as the No. 44 recruit to come out of Illinois last year. He was one of 18 players to be named to the 2014 Illinois All-State Class 7A team by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association. Class 7A is the second-largest high school classification in the state.

Wallace expected to redshirt this season based on his weight. That changed when fall camp started in early August.

“During fall camp I started with the second group, then after a couple of days I started getting some reps with the first string,” Wallace said. “That’s when I had a feeling I would play this year.”

As camp progressed, offensive line coach Scott Fuchs knew Wallace would see some playing time. Now being thrust into the starting lineup, Fuchs remains confident in Wallace’s abilities.

“With him, that’ not a worry,” said Fuchs when asked if UW has to simplify its offense some by having a true freshman in start along the offensive line. “His intelligence really helps him out. He’s very calm on the football field. He’s not frantic. He doesn’t panic. He’s very even keel.

“He understands the play concepts very well for a true freshman. We had two different types of game plans for our first two games, and he handled both well. He’s a real coachable kid. He will only get better the more game reps he gets, and the he’s in the weight room.”

Maintaining his weight will be an emphasis for Wallace as the season progresses.

As for making his first start, Wallace said he doesn’t feel any different than he did the last two weeks as a backup.

“It’s the same mindset. You have to know your assignments and get things done,” he said.

Jackson in the mix

Fuchs said true freshman offensive guard Kaden Jackson is the first guard that will come off the bench on either side this week.

Jackson played about five snaps last week against Eastern Michigan, the first playing time of his career.

“We will incorporate him more as season goes on,” Fuchs said.