The experiment of Florida State left tackle Cameron Erving as a center is over.
It's now permanent.
The fifth-year senior made his first start at the position Saturday against Miami, though he saw some action there against Virginia the previous week. The result was so much to coach Jimbo Fisher's liking, the highly regarded NFL prospect will remain there for the rest of the season.
"It's a move that we felt we needed to make to help us in the future to take us where we wanted to go," Fisher said, according to the Orlando Sentinel. "They give us the best chance to be the best we can be right now."
Of course, with centers not nearly as in demand as left tackles in the NFL, Erving's move presents an interesting element to his scouting evaluation. While NFL scouts would no doubt like to see Erving protect quarterback Jameis Winston's blind side as a pass protector against the likes of Florida pass rusher Dante Fowler on Nov. 29, and into the postseason, the move to center will also give Erving a chance to show some NFL-caliber versatility.
"Inside, Cam is so athletic, can move, can pull," Fisher said. "As good as (2013 starter Bryan) Stork was, Cam is such an athlete. ... Big body, can clog up the middle."
Injuries forced Fisher's hand where Erving's move to center was concerned, but it wouldn't have been possible without an adequate solution to replace Erving in protecting the edge. Freshman Roderick Johnson (6-foot-7, 330 pounds) has taken over Erving's left tackle spot, and Erving said a mouthful in assessing Johnson's play in practice against FSU's top NFL prospect on the defensive line -- Mario Edwards.
"Sometimes he does better on Mario Edwards than I do," Erving said, according to seminoles.com. "That's just being honest."
Translation: Johnson is one to watch for the future.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
