Sophomore center Reese Dismukes has been named to the Rimington Trophy Spring 2012 watch list, an honor devoted to the top centers in the nation. Dismukes joins 49 other centers on the list, nine from the SEC.
"It is an honor to be put on the list, but I cannot let it get to my head," Dismukes said.
"You know this is one of the top programs in the nation and I am expected to play at this level. Hopefully I can get things done this year and be a finalist."
The committee for the Rimington Trophy chooses players from four All-American lists, the American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America.
After his freshman season, Dismukes was named to the Football Writers Association of America All-Freshman team, the SEC All-Freshman team and CBS Sports Freshman All-America team.
The 6-foot-3-inch 300 pound sophomore attended Spanish Fort High school under coach Bryant Vincent, now the tight ends coordinator at the University of South Alabama.
Vincent said Dismukes commanded the offensive line from his first year at Spanish Fort as a right guard.
"About four weeks into summer camp he was telling all of the other offensive linemen what to do," Vincent said. "He has an incredible intelligence and IQ for the game."
At Spanish Fort, Vincent gave Dismukes the ability to make decisions on the offensive line that most linemen do not have.
"He would call all of the protections and check runs right and left for us," Vincent said. "He knew and did it all from calling the play, snapping the ball and then blocking."
Dismukes entered his freshman year in the spring semester of 2011 with hopes of grabbing the vacant center position left by Ryan Pugh.
A spot he competed for against, then sophomore, Blake Burgess.
"It helped coming in six months ahead of time," Dismukes said.
"It gave me a chance to get a head start on the offense and really be a contender for that starting center spot. It was a good experience to be thrown into the fire before everyone else. It let me know what to expect and what was expected of me."
Building off of the success of his freshman season, Dismukes is utilizing the offseason to improve his physicality.
After a spring practice, offensive line coach Jeff Grimes said Dismukes steps in the huddle with confidence. His body has changed. He's leaner, stronger, quicker and confident.
For Dismukes, the necessary off-season work is only a part of what needs to be done to achieve his goals.
"I just have to work as hard as I can to get my body right and in the best shape for the season," Dismukes said. "I am not done. I need to get even bigger, faster and stronger. I have to keep working at it so I can perform with the best of them.
"As an offensive line we want to be the toughest in the country. Year in and year out we strive to be the best and that is what we are shooting for here."
Former Spanish Fort High School coach Bryant said the sky is the limit for Dismukes and the best is yet to come.
"He takes over the offensive line and creates a dominant front," Vincent said. "I think this year you will see a center that is a lot more comfortable in his body and ready to handle the physical demand.
"By his junior and senior year you will have one of the best centers in the nation and I truly believe that."
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