Unlike Moore, who had to learn how to snap the ball, DeMell knows the nuts and bolts of the position. The biggest challenge is getting accustomed to the speed of the college game and being consistent. At times in scrimmages, he has found himself thinking about engaging the nose guard right away - and making a bad snap.
"He's got to get his second step down, play with lower pad level, play with better effort," Ingram said. "We always talk to him about his hands, keeping his hands inside. ... He's working hard, and he's a very coachable kid. He has a chance to be a good player."
Junior Patrick Snow left the team last week because of injuries, leaving the Midshipmen with untested sophomores - DeMell, Eric Douglass and Mike McCarthy - at center. Senior guard Curtis Bass, who started 13 games at right guard last season, took some reps at center during Navy's second scrimmage. Bass (6-1, 265) has not played center since he was at the Naval Academy Preparatory School.
"We'd like Brady to take that bull by the horns and be that position," Niumatalolo said. "Right now, the best scenario we have is Brady at center with Curtis at guard."
DeMell has Bass on his right and senior captain Osei Asante on his left, and that has helped him become more comfortable with the offense. But with experienced players beside him, it means that Ingram can spend more time watching DeMell.
"During the spring, if I messed up, it was OK. It was my first time, and I was learning," DeMell said. "Now, if I'm still messing up, they need to stop that and I need to start progressing. I've been playing center for a while now. I need to improve."
Bass tells DeMell not to worry about the yelling; it's what happens when coaches need to get a young player ready for a larger role. Eventually, it will help him become a better player. When Bass was a sophomore, his position coach - who happened to be Niumatalolo at the time - yelled at him every day.
" 'Dagnabbit Curtis!' It rings in my head so much that I can't help but do everything right," Bass said with a smile. "It just sticks with you."
Navy's 2009 schedule
Saturday: At Ohio State, noon
Sept. 12: Louisiana Tech, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 19: at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m.
Sept. 26: Western Kentucky, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 3: Air Force, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 10: at Rice, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 17: at SMU, 8 p.m.
Oct. 24: Wake Forest (Homecoming), 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 31: Temple, 3:30 p.m.
