West Virginia center Landen Livingston is one of the only returning players with experience on the offensive line.
But even that isn’t a vast amount with just 86 snaps as the backup center.
Still, Livingston has had the benefit of working behind some talented players at the position over the past two seasons in Zach Frazier and Brandon Yates. Both were experienced options that only helped to build his confidence when he inevitably got his opportunity.
But when you consider that the Mountaineer offense has undergone massive changes with head coach Rich Rodriguez running the program, that means that there are still plenty of adjustments.
The biggest comes in simply the tempo that the offense will be utilizing and that of course starts at the center position in order to achieve that desired pace.
“I know that the offense can only go as fast as I get set,” he said. “So that’s for sure something in my head as the plays going on.”
Livingston understands his responsibility is to find the ball, get set and be ready to snap the ball. That’s aided by the fact that the redshirt sophomore believes that the offense itself is simple by design in order to be able to play quickly without the need for thinking.
The goal is to get to the next play and Livingston is trying to further develop his own voice on the offensive line given his critical role to its success. The offensive line is tasked with setting the tone for the entire unit and that of course is a toughness and no excuses mentality.
And the penchant for running the football is something that is music to the ears to the offensive line.
On the field, Livingston is trying to get both bigger and stronger while developing bonds with the other linemen currently on the roster.
“Those guys are just great guys. No other people would I rather have next to me than the guys I have in that room,” Livingston said. “And they just do a good job, every single day, of setting the expectation for all the other position groups of hard work.”
Growing up, Livingston was a competitive dancer thanks to his mother enrolling him, and he believes the experience helped shape his footwork on the offensive line.
Livingston admittedly hated going to the recitals and practices, but is thankful for his background in tap, musical theatre, and hip hop.
“And eventually, it came to a point where I was like, they made me choose between dance and football. And I had to choose football. So I'm glad I did,” he said.
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