By William Qualkinbush.

People have had a lot to say about Isaiah Battle this offseason.

Isaiah Battle plays too much basketball. Isaiah Battle should eat more. Isaiah Battle is too light to be truly effective as an offensive lineman. Isaiah Battle has high potential but does not work hard enough to ever reach it.

Criticism has come his way from fans, the media, and even his own coaches over the past few months. As the Tigers’ heir apparent at left tackle, Battle has heard the words of his naysayers and laughs. He knows he has prepared himself to take the reins of such a critical spot in any offense, but especially this one with a new quarterback whose blind side it will be Battle’s job to defend.

“I’m a hard worker,” he said. “I’m going to work as hard as I can to put my team in the best spot to compete.”

Battle’s job is tough enough without having to hear what others might say of his dedication to excellence. He has the unenviable task of replacing a stud in Brandon Thomas, who is now in the NFL. With only four starts under his belt—and none at left tackle—there is a fair amount of skepticism coming from all corners.

But Battle seems unfazed by the gravity of the job because he feels capable.

“(Head) Coach (Dabo) Swinney prepared me for it. (Offensive Line) Coach (Robbie) Caldwell prepared me for it,” he said. “The veterans I’ve seen before me, they prepared me and said that was going to come. I’m not worried.”

In fact, Battle finds some irony in some of the criticism. The pessimistic outlooks of others sometimes clash with the reality he sees in his own life.

For instance, Battle thinks his basketball background gives him a leg up on many other players at his position. The New York native was a hoopster for years before giving football a shot in high school, and he likes to revisit those roots during his leisure time on campus.

Playing basketball requires a different kind of stamina and involves a higher level of long-range conditioning than football. Battle has picked up ten pounds since the end of spring, weighing in at 285 pounds, but the staff eventually wants him at 315. His hardwood hobby is seen as an impediment to that goal.

But the 6’7” junior sees some positives that translate to blocking good athletes on the gridiron.

“That’s the blessing of me playing basketball,” Battle said. “For instance, you’ve got Vic Beasley—he’s fast, elusive. I learned how to look at the hips. In basketball, you’ve got to learn to look at your player, look at the hips. Wherever his hips are going to go, he’s going to go.”

Battle also recognizes the reality that gaining weight is easier once his stamina builds back up after preseason camp. He feels the combination of all of these things will ultimately make him a more valuable player for the Tigers in 2014.

“During the season, I’m going to gain weight,” he said. “It’s not so intense with us running and doing conditioning.”