TAMPA – Since moving from guard to center to fill in for an injured Nick Capogna in last year’s season opener, University of South Florida senior Jake Griffin says he’s found a home.

“When Capogna went down in the first game, that’s when I got bumped over and thrown into the fire. And I love it. I have no plans to leave center,” said the Armwood grad, who stayed at center even after Capogna was healthy. “I’d play center over any other spot. You’re in the middle of all the action. You’re right there between all those big guys. I just think it’s fun. And you have to be the quarterback of the offensive line. I take pride in that.”

What was Griffin’s biggest adjustment after taking over at center?

“You have to know everyone’s spot, you have to know what everyone does and you have to read the defenses,” he said. “At guard, you have the center telling you what to do. You have to know your spot, too, but at center you have to know everyone’s spot.”

Griffin believes the offensive line will be one of the Bulls’ strengths this season.

“I don’t think depth will be a problem. We have a lot of guys we can roll in there,” he said. “The young guys look good, so the older guys just have to work hard. We can’t let the young guys pass us up.”

While this group has the makings of being one of the best in school history, Griffin wasn’t ready to anoint it as such just yet.

“We’re going to work as hard as we can, but we won’t know until the end of the season,” he said. “There’s been some pretty good o-lines here. Ask me after [the season finale at] West Virginia and I’ll give you a definite answer on that one.”

BETTER BACKS: Last year’s group of running backs had more potential than experience. This season, they are talented and proven.

“They’re a more solid group because Jamar Taylor and Mike Ford got a year under their belt,” Griffin said. “And Ben Williams, what a great story. You can’t say any more about Ben Williams than he’s already done.”

Ford, who has added 10 pounds to his frame, led the trio last year with 645 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Coach Jim Leavitt wasn’t concerned about Ford’s added weight.

“I don’t care how much he weighs,” Leavitt said after Wednesday’s practice. “He just has to get strong and run hard.”

READY FOR PADS: Defensive coordinator Wally Burnham says going through workouts in shorts is like “intramural ball.”

“Saturday when we get full pads then we’ll find out who’s going to play,” he said.