USC’s Zach Banner moves to left tackle against Utah

At 6 feet 9 and 360 pounds, Zach Banner is hard to miss when he is on the field for USC’s football team.

For most of the last two seasons, Banner has started at right tackle, which placed him relatively under the radar despite his size.

But Saturday against third-ranked Utah, Banner moves into what amounts to a spotlight position for linemen: left tackle.

Junior Chad Wheeler experienced concussive symptoms after last week’s loss to Notre Dame, so Banner will shift over to become quarterback Cody Kessler’s blind-side protector.

Freshman Chuma Edoga will start at right tackle.

Interim Coach Clay Helton said Banner has plenty of experience and that playing left tackle would “add another tool to his toolbox.”

“Does he have the talent to be a left tackle? Yes he does,” Helton said after Thursday’s practice. “His strength is pass protection.

“He’s trying to become a better run-blocker, but he’s more than capable of doing it.”

Banner played left tackle for two seasons in high school in Tacoma, Wash., and also worked at the spot during his first season at USC in 2012.

Banner played as a backup in two games in 2013 and then had season-ending surgeries on both hips.

Last season, Banner started at right tackle.

Now he will be charged with keeping Kessler out of harm’s way against one of the Pac-12 Conference’s most aggressive defenses.

Banner noted that the stance, footwork, hand placement and view of the field were different when switching tackle spots.

“I’m just stepping up,” Banner said this week of the switch. “I like it.”

This is the second time in two years that the Trojans will play all or part of a game against Utah with a fill-in at left tackle.

Last season at Salt Lake City, Wheeler suffered a season-ending knee injury and Toa Lobendahn moved from guard to left tackle, where he played the rest of the season.

Lobendahn started this season at guard, but he has moved to center to replace Max Tuerk, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Washington. Tuerk underwent surgery this week.

Edoga, who enrolled at USC in January, has played extensively as Banner’s backup.

Edoga’s footwork is “very comparable” to former Trojans tackles Matt Kalil and Tyron Smith, Helton said.

“Not to say that he’s there yet,” Helton said. “He’s got a lot of growing to do and a lot of work to continue to do, but you see the tools.”

Quick hits

Receivers Steven Mitchell Jr. (ankle) and Darreus Rogers (hamstring) probably will be sidelined against Utah, Helton said. Tailback Dominic Davis worked with receivers this week…. Tailback Tre Madden continues to nurse a sore knee, so freshman Ronald Jones II could have a larger role against the Utes…. Helton said Adoree’ Jackson, who worked almost exclusively on offense Tuesday and Wednesday, would play on defense “when needed” and that the target was an 80-play maximum for offense, defense and special teams.

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein