Rated as the No. 32 center in Division I by Phil Steele's 2005 College Football Preview
Named preseason All-Sun Belt Conference in a vote by head coaches and media members.
2004 (Junior): Team's Iron Man Award winner for the second consecutive year who has now started every game of his FIU playing career...focal point of the offensive line...assisted FIU in attaining a ranking of No. 42 nationally in total offense (382.78 ypg) and 54th in scoring (27.89)...helped to allow only eight sacks of the quarterback...graded out at 80-85-percent all season... a main reason why running back Rashod Smith to become the first 1,000-yard rusher in school history.
2003 (Sophomore): Played in, and started, every game of the season for the second-straight year...started the year at right tackle, moved to right guard for the fifth and sixth games of the year, and then settled in as the starting center for the final five games of the year...presented with the team’s Iron Man of the Year Award after leading the linemen with 755 snaps and no penalties called against him...graded out at 86-percent...Dean’s List honoree in the fall of 2003 and spring 2004.
2002 (Freshman): Started the season at right tackle for the first four games before moving to right guard in games four and five...finished the year as the starting at center for the last five games of the inaugural season...graded out at 77 percent and was called for no penalties on a line-leading 571 snaps.
Tampa Catholic High School: Extremely powerful prep player who held the school record with a leg press of 1,085 pounds...a first-team 2000 All-Hillsborough County performer who participated in the county’s East/West high school all-star game...versatile enough to be pressed into service as a fullback for two games as a senior...rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown...voted the Crusaders’ Rookie of the Year as a sophomore, Most Improved as a junior and Offensive MVP as a senior...Bright Futures Scholar and a member of the National Honors Society.
Personal: Born August 8, 1983...chose FIU over interest shown by Columbia, Dartmouth, Lafayette, South Florida and Auburn...son of Victor and Victoria Cernius...Engineering major.
