Drew Miller has more than danced his way to the center position.
It seems UF's former right guard likes to bust out his two-stepping on the dance floor, earning him the notoriety of being the Gators' best dancer, according to freshman cornerback Ahmad Black.
Miller said he likes to watch music videos and emulate the newest moves in the locker room.
When asked what kind of dances he tries to pull off, the senior matter-of-factly responds, "I don?t try. I do them."
Miller, who moved to center to fill the hole left by graduated Steve Rissler, is probably going to need that same confidence out on the field. Before spring, he hadn't snapped a football since his sophomore year of high school.
But after working with quarterback Tim Tebow and performing extra snaps during practice, the senior doesn't seem to be concerned about the transition.
"I pretty much think I'm comfortable with it right now, underneath and shotgun," Miller said. "We'll be fine. Coach said you have to be able to play multiple positions. … Everybody on the line can play multiple positions, so that?s a good thing."
Out of four returning starters from last season's national championship squad, only one will play his same position from a year ago.
Jason Watkins, a redshirt junior, will be taking over left tackle. Sophomore Carlton Medder switched to right guard after projected starter Ronnie Wilson was suspended for the season after an incident involving a firearm in early April.
Phil Trautwein, who started at left tackle last season, transitions to right tackle to protect lefty quarterback Tim Tebow's blind side, while Jim Tartt stays put at left guard.
If the line is at all concerned about the shuffling, the Gators haven't shown it.
"Last year we were the question mark of the team, and we had something to prove," Miller said. "We just worked hard every day to prove it. Now we're supposed to be the leaders of the team, and we just have to take that challenge and carry the offense."
Part of the reason for the line's success has to do with its practice tendencies and a coach who refuses to neglect the basics.
"I don?t think you're ever past the fundamentals," offensive line coach Steve Addazio said. "We?ll do fundamentals every day at practice until a bowl game. … They have to be technicians. That's most important with these young guys - to build that mindset."
With its incoming class, the offensive line boasts more depth than it probably had a few years ago.
James Wilson, 2007's No. 2 overall prospect according to Rivals.com, has yet to practice because of an injury, but Addazio said the Gators expect to have him back by the first game.
After enjoying three state championships at Lakeland High School, twins Mike and Maurkice Pouncey decided to enroll at UF in January. Both are now expected to contribute as backups this season.
Although the starting line is pretty much set, Addazio wouldn't count out the possibility of playing some young faces this season.
"I do think these guys coming out early get an advantage by that spring jump start for sure,C Addazio said. "For a lineman, if you want to play early, that's critical I think."
