After losing Connor McGovern to the Jets during NFL free agency, the Broncos had an opening at center. Denver filled that opening by selecting LSU center Lloyd Cushenberry in the third round of the NFL Draft.
Cushenberry was one of the top centers in this year’s class so some fans might be surprised to learn that he didn’t even transition to the position until three years ago.
“Shortly after I had signed to go to LSU, I knew I was either going to play guard or center because in high school I played tackle, but didn’t really have the height to play tackle at the next level,” Cushenberry said during a conference call with reporters on April 24. “I definitely knew I had to learn how to snap the ball.
“I never had, so I just went on YouTube one day and found a few videos of an old Washington Redskins o-line coach teaching people how to snap. I really just watched the video, and right after that, went outside and started taking some snaps. After a while and a lot of repetition, it just became a habit and I just kind of got it down pat.”
Cushenberry shared the video on his Twitter page earlier this week:
Denver coach Vic Fangio has said Cushenberry will “compete” for the starting job this offseason but it’s obvious that he is the clear favorite.
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