Preseason center of attention

Among the keys to the Penn football team’s Ivy title last season were staunch defense and Kyle Olson’s performance under center.

But the most overlooked area of a football team — the offensive line — may in fact deserve the most credit for bringing the trophy back to University City. And the strength of that unit in Penn’s case lies right in the center of the field.

Monday, Quakers center Joe D’Orazio was one of 87 players named to The Sports Network (TSN) Preseason Football Championship Subdivision All-America teams, earning recognition for his often unnoticed efforts. But in typical o-lineman fashion, D’Orazio discussed his selection as a collective rather than an individual honor.

“[On] the offensive line there’s no stats. It’s not really an individual position,” the senior said. “When the team does well, it’s because everyone does well together.”

That doesn’t mean that an individual can’t stand out from the group. And in this case, D’Orazio has earned the admiration of Penn offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Jon McGlaughlin.

“[Center] is probably the most demanding position with the exception of quarterback,” McGlaughlin said. “[D’Orazio is] the guy that is there every single snap taking care of the football and getting everybody on the same page.

“It’s no surprise that he’s captain,” the coach added. “He’s had that kind of leadership role with our team for quite a while.”

Yet D’Orazio wasn’t always considered the centerpiece of a line, or even a Division I contributor. Many schools, including some Ivy schools, viewed him as too small for the next level coming out of Philadelphia’s St. Joseph’s Prep high school.

A strong work ethic helped him overcome his slight stature (6’2, 270 pounds) and has now led him to third-team All-America status.

“He’s someone that is committed to the game and is a really, really smart football player,” McGlaughlin said. “He’s never going to be a big offensive lineman, but he’s certainly a very strong, well-conditioned, talented athlete.”

D’Orazio, who said he’s kept the Ivy schools that passed on him “in the back of [his] mind,” noted that facing off with 2009 first-team All-American Joe Goniprow every day in practice was huge in his development.

“The hardest guy you have to go against, having him at practice just makes you that much better,” D’Orazio said. “I never played against anyone in his league.”

Now, D’Orazio has been placed in the same ‘league’ as the best D-IAA players in the country. The 2009 first-team All-Ivy selection is the Ivies’ lone TSN team representative — the Southern Conference led with 15 All-Americans, while Villanova had the most first-team selections with three.

The Quakers’ center expressed his discontent with the Ancient Eight getting “overlooked,” adding that the conference boasts “players that are just as good as any of the other guys named to that list.”

Such is life as an offensive lineman in the Ivy League, but at least D’Orazio has brought attention to a Quakers’ line that allowed the fewest sacks in the Ivies last season.

With five players with starting experience returning, McGlaughlin said that this fall’s line is in good shape.

And, as the coach reiterated, “you can’t be a good offensive lineman if you’re not part of a good offensive line.”

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