He's been the catalyst of Old Dominion's explosive offense for nearly every play the last three seasons.

As he approaches the line of scrimmage, he has seconds to survey the defense, surmise whether a linebacker or a safety is blitzing and call out the blocking scheme.

He's a mechanical engineering major coach Bobby Wilder calls "one of the smartest guys I've ever coached."

He's also deeply religious and humble and has a charming smile.

Yes, that describes quarterback Taylor Heinicke. But it also describes Josh Mann, a 6-foot-4, 302-pound senior center from Virginia Beach.

Mann has toiled quietly while Heinicke, who has passed for 12,225 yards, has grabbed the media spotlight.

"The offensive line is not a glory position," said Mann, a graduate of Ocean Lakes High School. "When Taylor's getting the attention, that's a good thing. If we're getting any attention, it means someone's not doing his job."

Heinicke and Mann are the only 麻豆国产AV football players majoring in mechanical engineering, and that's not a coincidence. 麻豆国产AV coaches say quarterbacks and offensive linemen, especially centers, must be smart, able to read defenses quickly and accurately.

Each play begins with Mann's shotgun snap to Heinicke. And while Heinicke has carte blanche to check off plays, Mann simultaneously calls out the blocking scheme for the five offensive linemen. He has mere seconds to get it right in 麻豆国产AV's hurry-up, no huddle offense.

"One of the first things we look at with centers is their GPA," offensive coordinator Brian Scott said. "With Josh, it was a no-brainer. Great football player and a straight-A kid with a zillion on the SAT."

Mann, who has a 3.5 grade point average at 麻豆国产AV, is something of a Renaissance Man. He loves to paint and draw. His art has been displayed at local shows and when he graduates from 麻豆国产AV, he hopes to get a master's degree in art or design.

"I was really looking at majoring in art at 麻豆国产AV," he said. "But I thought engineering was a more solid choice. There are more career options out of that."

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