Dillard at center of Gators' quest to build a formidable offensive line
Friday, August 14, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Considering the uncertainties about Florida's offensive line and his job stepping into a position manned a season ago by Max Garcia, perhaps the Gators' most consistent player in 2014, you could understand if center Cam Dillard was a bit anxious as a group of reporters surrounded him this week.
Sweat poured off Dillard's forehead. The interrogators fired away.
After it was over, Dillard made a confession.
“I'm not nervous, I'm just hot,'' he said.
Understandable. After all, the Gators had just finished practice earlier and Dillard is getting a lot of reps in preseason camp as the team's projected starting center.
A redshirt sophomore from Canton, Mich., Dillard played in four games a season ago. But with Garcia playing at a high level and one of the team's most respected players, Dillard spent most of his time watching and learning.
“He was very good at leading the offensive line and getting guys on the same page,'' Dillard said. “He's a really good guy to be behind last year and learn things from.”
Dillard also learned from another teammate as a true freshman two years ago. Those lessons came the hard way.
“I had to go against [Dominique] Easley, so I learned a lot against him,'' Dillard said. “That was not fun.”
After two years in study hall, the Gators hope Dillard can anchor a young offensive line as the man in the middle.
Dillard has accepted the challenge, tossing his 6-foot-4, 308-pound frame into the path of human bulldozers to establish his ground.
“We butt heads every day,” defensive tackle Joey Ivie said. “We're only making each other better.”
Dillard and true freshman Tyler Jordan are taking most of the snaps at center. Both players are relying on the tutelage of veteran offensive line coach Mike Summers to help overcome their lack of experience at one of the most important positions on offense.
“You've got to get five guys on the same page,'' Dillard said. “You have to talk every play, every snap. That's crucial.”
Dillard is spending as much time studying in the film room as on the practice field.
Florida head coach Jim McElwain retained Summers -- the only coach from last year's staff still here -- because he knows Summers' reputation as one of the best teachers in the game.
“I also felt having that continuity with the O-line group that was here, that was really important moving forward'' McElwain said. “His experience both at the collegiate level and the NFL level was something that was really important.”
Dillard steps onto the practice field each day with a plan to walk off somehow a little better player than before.
He'll try to do the same in Friday's scrimmage, the first of camp.
“Looking forward to getting out there and showing what the offensive line can do,'' he said. “We go against one of the best defenses in the SEC, so it helps us get better every day.”
Class remains in session.
