The rookie offensive lineman bypassed the depth chart to secure a starting role in the Bay Area, returning to his collegiate roots while anchoring a dominant opening drive.
The Tennessee Titans are going to have two new starters on the offensive line this season.
Lloyd Cushenberry and Kevin Zeitler were let go in the offseason, so the team is currently having position battles at center and right guard.
At right guard, the battle is between veteran Cordell Volson, rookie Fernando Carmona and second-year player Jackson Slater.
Robert Saleh shared that Austin Schlottmann was the frontrunner for the center competition, with Volson leading the way at right guard back on Aug. 1. However, the Titans put their faith in the rookie on Thursday night.
Carmona was the starter at right guard even though he wasn't listed as one in the initial depth chart that was released a few days earlier.
It was a surreal experience for the former San Jose State offensive lineman.
Carmona started his college career in the Bay Area at San Jose State in 2021. He played there for three seasons before transferring to Arkansas, where he spent the final two years of his college career.
Carmona grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, so playing in Levi's Stadium was a dream come true.
He was asked after the 19-13 win how it felt to experience a full-speed NFL game for the first time. He talked about how great it was to be back in the area where his college career began.
"It was pretty cool, man," Carmona said. "Being in an NFL stadium and being back. You know, I started out my career at San Jose State. Being in this stadium, it felt really special being in the Bay Area, you know? It was just a very full circle moment."
The starters had good pass protection with Carmona on the offensive line. The team scored a touchdown on their opening drive after starting on their own five-yard line.
Then, the offense came to a screeching halt and was only able to put points on the board with field goals from kicker Joey Slye.
Either way, the Titans still won 19-13. This game definitely proved that the Titans still have a lot to work on, even though it was a preseason game.
One of the bright spots of the game was definitely Carmona and the rest of the first-team offensive line. General Manager Mike Borgonzi wholeheartedly believed that Carmona and rookie center Pat Coogan could challenge for starting roles this season.
It's early, but Carmona is off to a good start in that regard. He will need to continue stacking performances like these to beat the veteran in Volson.
