With center healed, FSU expects better blocking

Line graded among worst with 36 sacks allowed last season.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher considers center to be the hardest position on the offensive line. That player makes the line calls and is in the middle of the trenches.

It is also the most physically demanding position, which makes it even the more surprising that Alec Eberle didn’t miss a start last season despite two labral tears in the hips.

Eberle played all 13 games with a labral tear to his right hip. Things got worse during the Nov. 18 game at Syracuse when he suffered another labral tear, this time to the left hip — but Eberle still played in the final two games.

The 6-foot-4, 294-pound junior had offseason surgery and didn’t participate in spring practices. Eberle said he has been pain-free during preseason practices as the Seminoles prepare for their Sept. 2 opener against Alabama in Atlanta.

“I knew going into camp last year that I was a little messed up already,” Eberle said. “When you’re playing not to the best of your ability, that stinks. This year knowing I am healed up, stronger than I ever been you can see the differences.”

Eberle said he didn’t think about the pain while he was playing. But when he filled out a pre-surgery questionnaire, he checked off that even a simple task like putting on socks was painful. That was when he realized how bad the pain was affecting him.

“All year whenever I got in my stance, imagine

having two knives in each one of your hips,” he said. “Offensive line is naturally an uncomfortable position. It is definitely something you don’t want to go through knowing the hips are your main source of movement and strength.”

Quarterback Deondre Francois, who was on the receiving end of his share of hard hits, said watching Eberle last year made him play through his injuries.

Eberle said that observing line drills during spring practice gave him a better understanding of what was needed from him and the unit.

“I think the biggest thing as a college athlete is you think you’re buying into what the coaches are teaching and doing the right things. But until you sit back and watch your team and watch your coaches do what they do, you don’t really realize

what you’re doing wrong,” Eberle said.

A healthy Eberle, who was a preseason All-ACC selection, could bolster a line that has struggled the past two years. Pro Football Focus graded the line 95th out of 128 Football Bowl Subdivision teams last season because of its struggles protecting Francois. Opposing teams had 36 sacks.

Eberle enters the season as the only Seminoles’ lineman with double-digit starts (19). Junior Derrick Kelly and senior Rick Leonard have the edge at the tackle spots. Landon Dickerson and Cole Minshew are projected to be the starting guards.

Fisher expects Eberle to be a better player this season.

“He’s a little bit quicker than he was last year. I was happy with his strength numbers in his lower body when he came back,” Fisher said.

LYNNE SLADKY / AP Florida State center Alec Eberle (far left) had offseason hip surgery and says he has been pain-free. He is a preseason All-ACC pick after starting all 13 games last year despite a tear in his right hip.