2013 Preseason Award Projections: Rimington Trophy

By Charlie Campbell
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Heading into the 2013 college football season, WalterFootball.com will debut our projections for the nation’s leaders during the fall. The All-American teams always have some surprises, and this coming fall’s stars could be the headline players next April for the 2014 NFL Draft. We also will project the winners of the postseason awards that are given out to the best of college football.

The Rimington Trophy is given to the top center in college football.

Rimington Trophy Winner:

Bryan Stork, Florida State

Last year, I predicted that Alabama center Barrett Jones would win the Riminigton Trophy. He took home last season’s award, but this year I am much less confident in my projection. There isn’t a player who looks like a heavy favorite to win the award and I could see a surprise player winning it. However, of all the players returning to college football, I think Stork has as a good shot as any.

Stork was one of the best centers in college football last season. The 6-foot-4, 312-pounder was a good pass protector for E.J. Manuel and also opened up holes in the ground game. Stork has a nice combination of quickness, agility and strength.

Stork has been coached extremely well at Florida State. He has been an excellent run-blocker the past two seasons and has steadily improved his pass protection. As a redshirt freshman in 2010, Stork saw some playing time at right guard. He took over at guard in 2011for graduated All-American Rodney Hudson. Stork was moved to center after four games and has stayed in the middle of the Seminoles line.

With Manuel in the NFL, Stork will have the challenge of developing some chemistry with a new quarterback. That shouldn’t be an issue for a veteran like Stork after training camp is over. Florida State also has a talented stable of running backs who should work well with Stork.



Riminigton Runner-Up:

Russell Bodine, North Carolina

There is no doubt that Bodine’s job is going to be more difficult in 2013. He lost superstar guard Jonathan Cooper to the NFL, and the uber-athletic Cooper was so good that he went seventh-overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. Cooper and Bodine formed a great interior to help pave the way for running back Giovani Bernard. The Cincinnati Bengals now have Bernard playing for them, so Bodine also lost his star halfback.

Still, North Carolina has talent returning and Bodine will continue to work with quarterback Bryn Renner. Bodine has shown off good mobility in the Tar Heels’ offense. The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder has the agility to handle pass-rushers and get to the second level in the ground game. He has a nice combination of strength and athleticism.

Bodine enters his junior year with experience. He saw playing time as a redshirt freshman before taking over as a starter as a sophomore. With the losses of Cooper, Bernard and right tackle Brennan Williams, the Tar Heels are counting on Bodine providing some production and leadership. He could contend to be the best center in college football in 2013.



Riminigton Dark Horse:

Jonotthan Harrison, Florida

Harrison is one of the most underrated centers in the nation. He played well for Florida in 2012 and did a good job of blocking for running back Mike Gillislee. Harrison exceled against LSU, but struggled against Georgia nose tackle John Jenkins. Harrison had a tremendous game versus Florida State and helped gash a solid Seminoles’ defense. The Gators had a lot of success running straight down the middle behind Harrison.

Harrison broke into the lineup in 2011 with playing time at guard and center. He won the starting center position leading up to the 2012 season and was extremely consistent.

The 6-foot-3, 295-pounder has strength to go along with mobility. The Florida offense is planning to be a downhill power running attack led by running back Matt Jones. Harrison will have plenty of opportunity to impress and could end up being one of the top centers in the nation.

Honorable Mentions: Arkansas center Travis Swanson, Oklahoma center Gabe Ikard, Tennessee center James Stone, Utah State center Tyler Larsen, Georgia center David Andrews, Oregon center Hroniss Grasu and Alabama center Ryan Kelly.











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