STARKVILLE — Dan Mullen believes football teams have to have, “at least three” centers, just for the purpose of insurance in depth at such a pivotal position.
He may have a center in his right tackle.
With MSU dealing with losses to graduation and preexisting injuries in spring practice, Martinas Rankin has been taking reps at center all spring, a development co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach John Hevesy expects to continue through the Maroon and White Game. The change of scenery is of no concern to him.
“I’m just going with it, whatever happens, happens,” Rankin said. “It’s a benefit to me to play more than one position.”
Rankin downplayed some the differences between tackle and center, saying he has to know the same things he would know at tackle, he now simply has to communicate to his left and his right now. That being said, Hevesy can see how using the same knowledge in a different context can help him in the even he is to go back to tackle in the fall.
“You learn how the game works from a different perspective,” he said. “The more positions you know, the more you understand defenses and the game slows down for you.”
Hevesy said the team will take a longer look at which offensive linemen will play where after spring practice. He pointed out that such decisions are difficult now given injuries and what surrounds Rankin: three redshirt freshmen and Darryl Williams, still coming back after missing half of the season with an injury.
Working out at center in the spring is particularly interesting given his being rated as the second-best tackle in the 2018 NFL Draft class according to CBS Sports, only behind Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame.
Ranking goes out of his way to, “stay away from that stuff because I don’t want it getting in my head, making me think I’m better than I am.” If he ever has doubts, he can turn to Hevesy, who was quick to point out that evaluation did not come from the NFL; the NFL Draft Advisory Board’s report to Rankin was one that suggested he stay at MSU.
Cole Cubelic can see where CBS Sports is coming from.
Cubelic played offensive line for Auburn from 1996-2001 and is now an analyst for the SEC Network and radio host for The Ump 730 AM in Huntsville, Alabama.
“I think he’s a kid that has good feet, has good power. He obviously has the frame and is somebody who is physically gifted enough to be that guy,” Cubelic said of Ranking’s NFL prospects. “Now, he has his flaws. I think he opens up his hips a little much. He tries to dominate opponents with his upper body at times, and you’re not going to have much success in this league or at the next level doing that.
“Physically, he does have the tools and I think he plays with a mean streak at times. He’s going to have to continue to work on his technique and fundamentals if he’s going to be considered a top-flight tackle at the next level.”
Aside form learning how to play center in MSU’s time of need, Rankin set a personal goal of improving footwork and hips in spring practice. Both are qualities that should make him more enticing to NFL franchises when that time comes, but it will remain among the least of Hevesy’s concerns for the remainder of spring practice.
“He’s played one year here, so it’s not like he has a lot of film to show,” he said. “He got better as the season went, but to me, he’s got a long way to go. He’s learning the game.”
Consider Rankin willing to learn.
“Versatility,” Rankin said, “that’s what’s going to keep you in the NFL.”
— With inclement weather expected to hit Starkville Saturday morning, MSU moved its scrimmage scheduled for Saturday morning to Friday night, its first intrasquad scrimmage of the spring. The scrimmage is closed to the public and the media; it is the first of two weekend intrasquad scrimmages before the Maroon and White Game on April 8.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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