Ryan McMahon Q & A

Florida State fifth-year senior center Ryan McMahon is as reliable as a high-end Swiss watch. Despite playing one of the most physically demanding positions on the field, McMahon has logged 45 consecutive starts for offensive line coach Rick Trickett, oftentimes playing with the kind of pain that would keep some off the field. As the Seminoles' Iron Man, McMahon is on pace to become the program's all-time leader in games played and started. It's a source of great pride for the Savannah, Ga. native, who made the transition from defensive tackle to center five years ago and has never looked back. A graduate with a degree in finance, McMahon goes about his job dutifully each day, allowing his actions to speak louder than his words.

Q: What have you learned about yourself in the last four years?

RM: You can always do a lot more work than you think you can do. At practice if you think you're tired, your body can do a lot more than you think it can.

Q: You've played in every game of your career. What keeps you going?

RM: Go out there and do what I'm coached. If I'm not injured I just keep going as hard as I can.

Q: How was the transition moving from defense to offense?

RM: It was a pretty quick one. Coach Trickett came in after my redshirt season and moved me straight to center that spring. Coach helped me a lot--staying on me, making sure I do everything right.

Q: Were you recruited for defense or for offense?

RM: I cam here as defense and was recruited mostly defense; I never played center before I got here.

Q: What's the difference with this Florida State team? What positive changes have been made in the offseason?

RM: All the new coaching staff has really emphasized that instead of having offense and defense and special teams, that we play as a team. Everybody's together. Even the locker room has been changed up. You're not necessarily sitting next to an offensive lineman. You could be sitting next to a linebacker. You feel more chemistry. It's brought everybody together.

Q: What can we expect from the team for the rest of the season?

RM: We're just going to go out there and give it our all every play. We want to have 11 guys playing together every play, and we've got to prepare for the week. We've go to prepare for the game that whole week before.

Q: Being a senior, is it a little nostalgic every time you step onto the field?

RM: No, I don't really think about it that way. I'm just going out there trying to win games and play to the best of my ability.

Q: How has Coach Trickett helped to improve you as a player?

RM: He stays on you every day, and every day you've got to go to practice and give it your all. You have to bring you're A-game every day. He pays attention to every little detail. If you're not doing a little thing right, that could lead to a bigger mistake. So he stays on little details and keeps you focused.

Q: Which game are you most looking forward to this season?

RM: Whatever the next game is. I'm taking it game by game.

Q: Being a senior you are a leader. How do you lead by example with the younger guys?

RM: I tell them that when it gets hot and you're tired out there at practice, don't make mental errors. Keep pretending like it's the game and you're going to keep doing the right technique. Push through even when you're hot and tired.

Q: What does a rare football-free day consist for you?

RM: Probably me and some of the lineman will go fishing or driving around the woods.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

RM: My goal has always been to go to the NFL, so I'll be working on that.