Rebels offensive line: Geralds finding a home at center
OXFORD – Daverin Geralds routinely drew high praise from the previous Ole Miss coaching staff.
However, in moving back and forth from offense to defense he never seemed to find a position he could call his own.
Until now.
He was recruited for the offensive line, was moved to defense early in his freshman season then back to offense after two starts at defensive tackle last year.
A junior from Baton Rouge, Geralds is the Rebels’ starting center and is glad to feel truly settled in for the first time in his career.
“I feel like I can get used to doing one thing and being good at one thing,” he said.
It took a good deal of summer work to become comfortable at doing his main thing – snapping the football.
There were some rough edges in spring drills, but Geralds and quarterback Jevan Snead put in the time to smooth out the edges. Geralds snapped some in high school but played guard primarily.
He’s getting there’
“He may have been just a step too slow for defense, and that’s why he’s with us,” offensive line coach Mike Markuson said. “He’s in a lot better shape than he was in the spring, and he’s become a lot more consistent. He’s getting there.”
Geralds (6-foot-2) dropped 15 pounds in the summer get down to 300. He says he feels less encumbered and reaches his defender more quickly.
djournal.com
8/21/08
