Few player-to-player relationships are as important on a football field as the one between a quarterback and a center, which is why it’s paramount for ASU’s Sam Leavitt to get on the same page with former guard Ben Coleman as quickly as possible this spring.
The two benefit from the relationship already starting last season when Coleman started all 14 games at left guard next to then-center Leif Fautanu. The three of them were also on the 12-man Tillman Leadership Council together, meeting each week with Kenny Dillingham to give the player perspective when planning team operations.
The 6-foot-3, 325-pound Coleman has never taken a collegiate snap at center, but he boasts a wealth of 2,554 other snaps along the line, most of which have come at the guard spots.
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Offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo on Thursday said the 13 games of experience Leavitt got last year will be instrumental in the transition.
“I think that having him in Year 2, there’s going to be some things that we’ll be able to take advantage of …” Arroyo said. “And now with Ben at center, we can take that and mitigate some of that to Sam in regards to having a new center who’s never done it, and so that offsets that.”
Why is Ben Coleman set up for a smooth transition as ASU’s new starting center?
Coleman had a close relationship with Fautanu, who was a staple up front for Dillingham’s first two seasons in Tempe, making the All-Big 12 first team in 2024 after he was an All-Pac 12 honorable mention in 2023. He exhausted his eligibility and is now working to find an NFL opportunity.
“I think Ben’s got a ton of experience,” Arroyo said of how Coleman is positioned to take over at center. “Him being next to Leif last year is the way you want it. … Hopefully, they’re right there to learn. Ben was right there.”
Coleman said he’s not coming into the switch from ground zero, as he already has a level of understanding of the calls centers are responsible for. He added that getting film on tape at the position will help him in finding his own NFL opportunity down the line.
“I think as far as the process, it was more about more of like a league decision and be able to get on film,” Coleman said in a February appearance on the Speak of the Devils Podcast. “I have a lot of film at guard, I have some film at tackle. So I think playing at center, I feel like that’s a position I can play in the league. I feel like I can play for it a long time.”
He said he has an added advantage in previous time spent playing defense, so he understands fronts better than most other offensive linemen.
Coleman, while moving to a new position, is one of four returning starters from last year’s line.
An expected starter from that group in the early stages, former Washington tackle Jalen Klemm, has reportedly been cleared from a serious medical issue that kept him off the field all of last season, so he likely has a chance to fill in as the fifth piece when spring camp starts on March 25.
“I think Ben‘s going to be great. And I think it gives us a chance to continue on and add (to) … the state in which we left the offense,” Arroyo said.
from Arizona Sports https://ift.tt/4U56PcZ
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