Senior Center Rob Trudo has been named one of the 63 players named to the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, an award for the best Center in the nation.  Trudo is one of seven ACC centers to make the watch list.
The most intriguing part of this story is that Trudo has never played Center in a game.  He has started 33 games in his career and all of them were at Guard.  In 2014, John Miller started under center for 10 games so Trudo remained at Guard.
With the departures of Miller and Tackle Sean Hickey — who is now a member of the New Orleans Saints — the offensive line remains a big question as Syracuse continues to build for the future. Trudo started under center in the Spring Game and now it seems apparent that he will do so when the Orange take on Rhode Island in their season opener.
The position of Center is extremely important to a football team as an offense can’t run or throw the ball without strong play in the trenches. ¬†The Center is the anchor or the quarterback of the line and the fact that Trudo is being recognized before the season is encouraging, however curious it may be.
It is important to keep this in perspective.  There were 63 players on this list.  There are 128 FBS teams so that means that almost half of all starting centers make this list.
It is nice to think Syracuse would have at worst, an above average Center, but it is important to remember Trudo has never played a game under center and that there may be a certain adjustment period for him. ¬†Not is not to say Trudo can’t be an elite center because he has certainly performed admirably in his role the previous three years.
