As the center goes, the offensive line goes. The center (although he is considered to be just another lineman like a guard or tackle) has some of the most important responsibilities. Yes, the quarterback calls the plays and tells the offensive line what play to run, but it wouldn't mean anything if there wasn’t a center to command the direction in which the line must go in. He calls/checks protections, identifies where the strength is, and calls double team blocks. All of this must be done in a matter of seconds before the Quarterback says “hut” to snap the ball. Centers are regarded as the most intelligent of the offensive lineman. Although they are not the most athletic of the five like tackles, they must still have the strength and ability to block heavy interior defensive tackles that can possibly weigh more than them. As a center in college, I remember I had to watch the most film, ask the hardest/smartest questions, be the first one to practice, and the last one to leave to perfect my craft.
I had to step up as a leader because the other four offensive lineman trusted and depended on me to put them in a position to make successful blocks. I wasn’t gifted with great athletic ability, but I was blessed with a brain that would make me a successful center at the collegiate level. Now that I am coaching these athletes, I must talk to them more and have deeper conversations than I do with the guards and tackles because only they will be able to see and direct the rest of the line in the right direction. A prime example of a premier center is Travis Frederick of the Dallas Cowboys. He was picked up in the 1st round even though he had a terrible combine performance, having the second slowest 40 yard dash time and 21 bench press reps were considered subpar.1 With that said, he is regarded as one of the smartest centers in the game. While at Wisconsin Frederick majored in computer science and computer engineering. Since his rookie season he has garnered two pro-bowl and two all pro honors after being named on the NFL all rookie team in 2013.2 Coaches, if you want to make successful centers out of your players, Travis Frederick is a player to definitely mirror after.
110 things to know about Cowboys center Travis Frederick | SportsDay. (2015). Retrieved March 20, 2016, from http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboysheadlines/2015/05/19/10-things-to-know-about-cowboys-center-travis-frederick
2Travis Frederick. (2014). Retrieved March 20, 2016, from http://www.dallascowboys.com/team/players/roster/travis-frederick 
It's interesting how the O-Line has such variety of skill and ability on it. And without a good center they usually don't reach their full potential.
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