Boom Rising
Click to enlargeThe depth chart is out for the YSU game and there’s a bit of a surprise at the running back spot. Not only is banged-up Brandon Saine nowhere to be found, but Boom Herron appears to have jumped ahead of Maurice Wells for the 2nd running back spot. Who knew that with so many certainties heading into this season, there could still be a bit of intrigue?
Saine, who’s been battling a hammy injury is still listed as one of the starting kick returners, so he’s likely to play, but the staff obviously sees little need in using him any more than necessary against the Penguins. And why push a fast guy with a hamstring issue.
But the real story on the depth chart is the ascension of Boom Herron. Wells has been a dependable option and change of pace for Beanie and he really came on a little late last season. He’s also a senior that’s stuck around and said and done the right things after getting passed up by youngsters every year he’s been on campus. You had to think Tressel would have showed some of that senior loyalty of his and put him in 2nd for the opener at least. Evidently not — and I love Mo Wells, but I’m happy with the choice.
I’ve always thought his loyalty to seniors was at different times detrimental to the team’s success. While in life, the right thing to do is to be fair and just to the guys that have stuck with you, when you earn a living based on how many wins you put up, sometimes you can’t afford to make the sentimental picks.
Boom is going to get a golden opportunity to show what he can do and based on what has been coming out of camp, he’s ready to seize it.
Other points of interest on the depth chart include:
- Pryor is in the third slot at quarterback, while Dane Sanzenbacher and Ray Small are listed as the backups to the Brians. If we’re still a year away from seeing the Taurian Washington show, you gotta like that depth.
- The defensive line features three tackles and an end. It will be fun to watch this until Worthington returns.
- Homan and Rolle are 1 and 2 at WLB. No real surprises here. Laurinaitis will be backed up by Spitler while Freeman is spelled by Moeller, who, of course, may see the field in nickel sets.
- Andre Amos is listed as Jenkins’ backup at the boundary corner spot, while Shaun Lane is listed as the backup to Chekwa at the other corner spot. If last season is any indicator (which it most likely isn’t), the nickel was the non-boundary backup, which is slated to be filled by Shaun Lane (we still got your back, Famous).
- Jake McQuaide has won the long-snapper job and with it the title of Buckeye starter you know least about.
22 Responses
If what I understand is correct, Boom Herron’s rise on the depth chart is every bit his own doing. His rise on the depth chart is similar to Joe Germaine’s 10 years earlier, in that it got to the point, even with the depth at the position, that there was no way this guy doesn’t see the field… and see it often. Simply put: the staff loves him, and he’s been turning heads since he was on the scout team.
vico - 08/25/08 @ 9:52 pm - #
Poe likes the move. When Saine gets thrown on the chart at RB, does that mean Mo Wells will be #4? Or will Saine not technically be a RB and more of a hybrid player? Oh dear, I’m so confused.
Good news is that the first game is Saturday. We’ll probably find out some of the answers.
Poe McKnoe - 08/25/08 @ 9:58 pm - #
Vico’s right, we mentioned that he was looking like an Eric Metcalf/Percy Harvin hybrid a few days ago and the fact that he popped off for a 60-yarder and multiple 20s in the last real scrimmage clearly shows he’s doing something right.
Good question about when Saine heals. Maybe Boom fends Saine off and into more of a slot, end-around (um.. true Harvin, basically) type player?
There are worse problems to have than too many good running backs. And wide receivers. And quarterbacks. And linebackers.
Jason - 08/25/08 @ 10:57 pm - #
BTN and TWC finally strike a deal.
Thank god. Still not positive who to blame for the season sans BTN but it is all over now. 4 days…
COB - 08/25/08 @ 11:07 pm - #
Great news for Central Ohioans — your workplace will be a friendlier, happier place the rest of the week and then Saturday is couchville (unless you’re lucky enough to have tickets).
Jason - 08/25/08 @ 11:12 pm - #
I disagree about not listing Mo Wells as two for the first game. We aren’t going to find out anything about this football team against Youngstown state. Wells has stuck around, and a couple of years ago he was one of the highest rated small-back type runners out there. I can’t help but think Jamaal Berry, a fellow Floridian and small-back type, might take note of the way the coaching staff has snubbed Mo Wells. Let Boom run wild over Ohio U, which is more of a test and a better gauge of talent than the Penguins will ever be. Give Mo Wells, a senior that has done the right things and been a leader in the locker room, that small bit of pride of being #2 on the depth chart (no small feat, to follow the best RB in college) for his final home opener at The Shoe.
Matt - 08/26/08 @ 1:27 am - #
Matt - I have to disagree. I don’t think Mo has been snubbed at all. Tressel has spent the last two years giving Mo way more carries than he deserved, imo. Tress always speaks highly of him and I think it’s safe to say Mo will still get his share of touches. It won’t be as much as last year but that’s due in large part to this team having so much more talent at RB/KR etc. Just part of the deal.
Principal Skinner - 08/26/08 @ 8:05 am - #
Jake McQuaide - Sounds like its straight out of Hollywood.
BrotherBuck - 08/26/08 @ 8:20 am - #
What is the deal with Curtis Terry? If I read this post right, he isn’t even in the two-deep?
Kyle - 08/26/08 @ 8:35 am - #
Yeah where is Curtis Terry? He isn’t listed as a LB OR FB?
WCT - 08/26/08 @ 8:40 am - #
Jake McQuaide for Heisman. Chuck Norris can play him in the movie.
GoBucks89 - 08/26/08 @ 9:05 am - #
Curtis Terry was a hot commodity coming in to camp by taking one for the team and moving to FB. With the speed in which he was moved out of that role I am guessing he wasn’t performing real well while others were. We all got caught up in how good he looked coming into camp, but there has been no solid information that it has translated to the field.
Since everything is locked up tight for practices we are left only to assume and guess who is doing what.
BrotherBuck - 08/26/08 @ 9:55 am - #
MiniMo is a good Buckeye, but the best players should play, if that means some recruit from Florida is afraid to come and compete, then someone else can have him.
Hal3 - 08/26/08 @ 10:16 am - #
I wouldn’t read too much into Terry being 3rd string. He’s been switched to DE, and there’s only one DE spot listed on the chart, so all they’re really saying is that he’s not as good as Wilson and Gibson. And that should surprise no one because Wilson and Gibson are studs.
GoBucks89 - 08/26/08 @ 11:40 am - #
What about AJ getting beat out for punter? What’s up with that?
TerryGlenn'sShoeString - 08/26/08 @ 11:42 am - #
oh nvm. I’m an idiot
TerryGlenn'sShoeString - 08/26/08 @ 11:44 am - #
And there was media critisism for Boom going to OSU with so many RB’s on the roster…… goes to show you how much the experts know.
Mitch G. - 08/26/08 @ 12:09 pm - #
Jake McQuade. A native of the westside of Cincinnati. He came out of the much heralded Elder High School where he starred as a tight end and LS obviously. Also played basketball his senior. Probably one of the smartest and hardest workers on the team.
MackRm408 - 08/26/08 @ 12:30 pm - #
So Curtis Terry is now a DE. Are they going to try him at safety or qb next?
Kyle - 08/26/08 @ 1:15 pm - #
Maybe they can give Terry a shot at D-Coordinator?
Principal Skinner - 08/26/08 @ 3:33 pm - #
I think this is the deepest we have ever been at rb. We should see alot of big runs late in games because our guys will be fresh. It will be interesting to see how much we show in the first two weeks. I think we should just run our stuff since we have so many weapons and the ability to run so many different plays from the same formation it shouldn’t matter. Give USC alot to prepare for would be the best way to go. Plus it never hurts to be going into the biggest game of the year clicking. Last year vs Washington I thought we were flat until the 3rd quarter due to the fact that we didn’t run anything the first two games of the year.
I know USC has a good d but I think the illini made plays against them for big yards. This team should be able to throw 3 or 4 wr’s with saine/flash/herron/mo wells out of the backfield in motion to make 5 wide. That along with Pryor and Beanie in the backfield is going to be near impossible to stop. USC would have to play man or risk one of those burners getting deep. Not to mention you would see a LB on one of those guys. This also would stop teams from loading up the box with 8 and we all know what beanie can do when he breaks the line of scrimmage.
tampa buckeye - 08/26/08 @ 3:43 pm - #
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