In a conference where cold weather creeps into the picture in week four of the season and a physical brand of defense is common place, there may be no more important position in the Big Ten than the running back. That statement is particularly true in Columbus, where Jim Tressel has been perfectly fine employing Woody Hayes's "three yards and a cloud of dust" offense and allowing his backs to dominate the time of possession statistic, while his defense and special teams units perform to their standard elite levels. Last week we broke down the conferences best quarterbacks heading into the 2010 season and the response was generally agreeable, with only a couple discrepancies towards the bottom half of the rankings. This week we take the next step in this off-season series, and take a look at the conferences best running back units, once again, breaking it down from #11 to #1 in the Big Ten.
11. Northwestern While Dan Persa seems to have taken control of the offense behind center, he won't have much help when it comes to the running game in Evanston. Arby Fields has emerged as the starter and the sophomore returns as the team's top back after appearing in all 13 games last season (started three). Fields was impressive in a back-up role last year, tallying 302 yards and 5 touchdowns, but after him there really is nothing in the cupboard. Stephen Simmons is the Wildcats' primary back-up, but it is more likely he will be used in the return game, if recurring injuries don't haunt him throughout 2010.
10. Purdue Ralph Boldin is a really good player and the Boilermakers would be higher on this list if his 2010 season wasn't in jeopardy after he suffered a torn ACL this spring. Although he could return midway through the season, Al-Terek McBurse becomes the guy for Danny Hope's team, leaving those fans in West Lafayette with little hope on offense when it comes to their ground attack. McBurse is just a sophomore whose redshirt was burned last year for apparently no reason. The Florida native rushed for zero yards on four attempts in 2009 and appeared in only two games against Illinois and Wisconsin. He is going to have to grow up really quick if Purdue plans to do anything meaningful with their legs this season, or the black and gold faithful are going to have to hope that their prayer for Boldin's early recovery are heard and granted.
9. Indiana Darius Willis actually impressed many last season, as he rushed for 607 yards and 6 touchdowns, while averaging 4.9 yards per carry in his 2009 redshirt freshman campaign. Willis put up those numbers while splitting carries, but now is first on the depth chart and is expected to see an expanded role. Backing him up is senior Trea Burgess, who averaged just 2.8 yards per carry on 47 touches last season. The lack of depth at the position leaves Indiana towards the bottom of the list, but Willis could be a bright spot for a 2010 Hoosier team that is expected to miss out on bowl season once again.
8. Minnesota Hype is the theme of the running back unit in the Twin Cities and the question once again remains "Will DeLeon Eskridge and Duane Bennett live up to it?". Bennett and Eskridge combined for just 670 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2009, and neither of the two reached 100 carries on the season or 100 yards in a single game. To be fair to the duo, back-up quarterback MarQueis Gray was used to run the ball 47 times for 265 yards last season and recently departed back Kevin Whaley ran for 367 yards on 88 carries with two scores, but this year there are no excuses. The unit is ranked above NU, Purdue, and IU because of the talent that exists within the two backs, but they are only eighth on the list because of failed expectations.
7. Michigan Michigan loses it's top two rushers in Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown, but returns Michael Shaw and Vincent Smith, both who saw a lot of snaps last season. Shaw ran 42 times for 185 yards and 2 scores last season, while Smith, who missed spring practice to recover from a torn ACL, tallied 276 yards on 48 touches with one touchdown. The duo will get some help on the ground from redshirt frosh and Youngstown native, Fitzgerald Touissant, and will also see some yards on the ground come from Denard Robinson, who ran for 351 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2009. Kelvin Grady and Michael Cox also supply some support in the ground game, but don't expect Rich Rod to stray far away from the promising duo of Shaw and Smith.
6. Illinois Illinois' placing on this list is due to another talented duo of backs who were able to show many football fans their impressive abilities last season. The starting job looks to be property of Mike LeShoure, who ran for 734 yards and 5 touchdowns, but impressively averaged 6.8 yards per carry. LeShoure is joined by Jason Ford who had a pretty good 2009 himself with 588 yards and 4 touchdowns to go along with a 6.1 yard per carry average. The tandem is supported by OSU fan favorite, Justin Green, and Troy Pollard, who likely will see more time on the pine than on the turf. With the quarterback situation featuring inexperience and uncertainty, look for Zook to use his two talented horses early and often throughout the upcoming season.
5. Michigan State While it seems like every team listed has a talented stable of backs, maybe no team is better set up for the future in the sophomore class than the Spartans. Edwin Baker and Larry Caper starred as freshman last season, combining for 895 yards and 7 touchdowns (even though Baker spent the first half of the season sitting on the bench), and their sophomore campaign promises to be even better due to gained experience going through a full season and spring practice, as well as the fact that Glenn Winston is off the team thanks to last year's off the field incidents. Incoming freshmaen Nick Hill, Jeremy Langford, and LeVeon Bell could get a look from Mark Dantonio as well, and all will likely compete for a shot at the third spot on the depth chart when fall camp rolls around.
4. Iowa Some may say Iowa's running game was a strength last year, and if that's the case, 2010 could be even stronger. Adam Robinson was the team's leading rusher last season with 834 yard and 5 touchdowns and he returns to the starting role once again this year. Brandon Wegher will also get plenty of reps, as his successful 2009 season included 641 yards and 8 scores. Where the unit gets stronger is the return on last year's projected starter in Jewel Hampton. Hampton missed all of 2009 with a knee injury and, when healthy, could be considered the Hawkeyes' most talented back of the three. This should be a dangerous unit once again, even behind a reloaded offensive line, and should help Kirk Ferentz's team to the top of the conference for the second consecutive season.
3. Penn State I know to expect some Penn State backlash by putting the Nittany Lions third on this list, but I honestly believe that both Wisconsin and Ohio State deserve to be ahead of PSU. Evan Royster is the type of horse that almost every team in the country wants, but I feel that there is no real depth of talent behind him and I wasn't impressed by his performance in 2009. Last year Royster was a pre-season Heisman candidate, but rushed for only six scores, despite racking up 1,169 yards and a 5.7 yards per carry average. His yardage and average certainly impress anyone, but I think he should have found pay dirt a bit more often and his numbers against big time opponents were mediocre at best. Against Iowa and Ohio State (PSU's two losses), Royster combined for just 105 yards on 30 carries and 0 touchdowns, and in their bowl win against LSU, had just 65 yards on 17 carries and once again, 0 touchdowns. He is going to need to step up against these big time opponents in 2010 if PSU wants any chance to compete in the Big Ten now that Darryl Clark is gone. Behind Royster is Stephfon Green, Brandon Beachum, Brent Carter, Curtis Dukes, incoming freshman Silas Redd, and fullback Joey Suhey, a cast that hasn't proven anything yet to anyone outside of Happy Valley and until they do so, leaves the Blue and White third on this list.
2. Ohio State By far the league's deepest unit, Ohio State enlists seven backs this year that could possibly tote the rock. Brandon Saine (145-739-4) and Boom Herron (153-600-7) lead the group that also includes Jordan Hall (48-248-1), Jaamal Berry, Carlos Hyde, Jermil Martin (11-84-1), and incoming freshman star, Rod Smith. Also included in this group is fullback Zach Boren (4 rec. for 23 yards and 1 TD in 2009), who has shown the ability to be a pass catching threat out of the backfield this spring. I think this is a unit that could leap to the top of this list when it's all said in done after the 2010 season, especially if Saine continues to develop and either Jaamal Berry or Carlos Hyde can provide some additional production to the already steady trio of Zoom, Boom, and Jordan Hall.
1. Wisconsin Yes, Penn State was third on this list with an elite back and thin depth, but John Clay is a different beast all together. Clay, who I put in a class with greats like Beanie Wells et. al, was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2009, rushing for 1,517 yards and 18 touchdowns on a 5.3 average. Clay returns for his redshirt junior season after running through the Miami Hurricanes for 121 yards and 2 TDs in the Badgers' Champs Sports Bowl victory. The best part for Brett Bielema in regards to his star running back is that all five offensive linemen return in 2010, as well as quarterback Scott Tolzien, making John Clay's potential to best his eye-opening numbers from last season an extreme possibility. Clay is backed up by Montee Ball (98-391-4), who provides a solid second option for Bucky. UW also has support with Zack Brown (66-279-3), and incoming freshmen James White (St. Thomas Aquinas-Ft. Lauderdale) and Jeff Lewis (Central HS-Brookfield, WI).
Comments
Kinda surprised Sparty came in fifth. Iowa RB's couldn't stay healthy. What has Stephon Johnson ever done?
Baker and Capers are the most talented backs in the B10.
To me its Wisky, OSU, Sparty, and so forth.
OSU's defense is built to shut down the run, so arguing who's the best doesn't really matter until bowl time.
Monte Ball, and John Clay good choice...
Those two are going to give people fits!
Unless, of course you have #97 on your team.
Agreed with your part about the OSU defense----just look at Clay's stats against OSU when we just stuffed the box on him......
I don't agree with your assessment of Sparty though....While I think Baker and Caper are going to be REALLY REALLY REALLY good eventually we have to look at now and Iowa's backs simply outperformed them last season....yes, they get some help from that mammoth offensive line, but look at the numbers Robinson and Wegher put up....with Hampton back this year I think they will once again be a big threat on the ground
While Ball/Clay, Caper/Baker, and Royster/Green are probably better than Saine/Herron, the other teams do not have TP and that alone makes Ohio State numero uno.
You haven't looked at a Penn State depth chart if you think Penn State has not depth at RB.
At running back? I'm confused.
I have looked at their depth chart and quite frankly I just think they are overrated. I don't think any of the backs are too talented beyond royster and I haven't been impressed with his performance on the big stage in the last year or so.
The old "overrated," well that's your right, I'm fine with that.
But you didn't look at this: John Clay vs.
OSU - 20 carries, 59 yards, 3.0 avg
Iowa - 21 carries, 75 yards, 3.1 avg
Royster was better against Iowa, a little worse again OSU although he only got 13 carries in that game b/c Penn State got behind so quickly.
The two played the exact same on "the big stage." And Penn State has mountains of depth compared to Wiscy. I don't see how that favors Clay.
You also can't count Royster's bowl game numbers, no one was doing anything, on either team, in those field conditions.
Royster is overrated too. He put up those pathetic numbers against the weakest schedule in the B11....
I mean, if you cant even crack 1k yds, when your playing temple, your not that good......
Original.
Harsh condidtions favors a running back so that argument is invalid. Also, the OSU/PSU game was very close until going away. It was 10-7 at halftime! and 17-7 after the third. The run was a viable option ALL game. They just couldn't produce.
Reply fail.....
"Harsh condidtions favors a running back so that argument is invalid." It wasn't harsh conditions, it was a swimming pool. And the stats don't back you up (theme here, I guess). The averages of the top 3 rushers for LSU? 1.1, 1.4 and 2.5.
And we've already established that both royster and clay "couldn't produce" against Ohio State and Iowa's strong fronts. That was my point.
?
All Royster did was finish 2nd in the league in rushing, behind Clay, on 83 fewer carries, and beat Clay's average/rush by almost a half yard. Fail to see how that is "pathetic."
Pretty neat - see we can beat an SEC team!
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/...
Royster is good I'm not going to argue that but I think the back field depth is weak. Green has never lived up to expectations and I'm not sure if Beachum and co. are quality Big Ten backs....They are 3rd on the list for a reason, and that is because they are good, but I think the quality depth OSU has and the fact that Clay was B10 OPOY and is an absolute beast (with Ball being solid as well) puts those two above PSU....you can argue all day Joe, but if Saine didn't have to split carries and TP wasn't running with the ball so much, he could beat out Royster and Clay in terms of all-purpose yards (receiving and rushing), and also could probably best Royster's numbers on the ground...He had 430 less yards and only TWO less touchdowns on 60 less carries...yes, this is about 7 yards per carry over thos 60 touches, but with all the reps he'd have more touches, more scores, and more yards than Royster
Surprise, Surprise… A Buckeye fan thinks Ohio State should be number 1 on this list…
I agree Alex, Clay is a beast and I think he’s the best running back in the Big 10 entering the ’10 season (looking away from potential). That said though, you talked about depth, but you left off a player that I don’t think can be ignored. Yes, the post simply talks about “running backs”, but can we not include Pryor into that discussion? Pryor led the Buckeyes in every statistical category (other than yards per game) for toting the rock. Yes, that opens the doors for a more in depth look when it comes to other teams like Michigan, but I still would take our run game as an entire unit over anyone in the Big 10. We had 3 of the top 100 rushers in the country… Pryor played on a bum knee to close out the year and I’m biased, but I love what we return and add to this team going into next year and yet we still only trailed Wisconsin by a 110 yards on the season (We had 4.51 yards per carry to Wisconsin’s 4.56).
As for Royster… Count me in as someone who thinks he’s overrated. He’s good, but I don’t think he’s great and I don’t see him as a first round pick as most early drafts project. I’ve just never really have never come away impressed after watching him or feared him like other good backs going into a Saturday. I kind of look at him like Mike Hart, he’s been at this school for what seems like 10 years and he’s a great veteran to have on the team, but I don’t see him as “elite”. Touchdowns don’t tell the whole story (he had 6), but he would have checked in at number 3 on the Ohio State roster for rushing Touchdowns behind Pryor and Herron who both had 7.
Well he is like a 3rd "running" back in the backfield. He will have around 10 designed run plays a game.
Try explaining that to Joe.
Well, thats just it, are we talking best RB's in terms of raw talent, team running game, NFL potential, or the tandem most responsible for their teams success?
Its tough to throw OSU in at 2 if you're talking pure tandem, because Im not sure Herron and Saine are the best 2 backs on their own team. But with Pryor in the mix and a little Hall, I say OSU has the best running attack in the conference with Iowa a close second.
John Clay has the most NFL potential in the BX this year, but if he can't get the job done when it matters (OSU game) then what has he really accomplished? Wisky's o-line had problems protecting Tolzien at times making the Badgers a 1 trick pony at times.
But if you want TWO backs in the BX as far as pure talent, I'll go with Baker and Capers every time.
I think you'll be very surprised when the Big Ten Player of the Year is Mikel LeShoure from Illinois. He's a horse and was only held back last year by Ron Zook's stellar play calling and love affair with Juice Williams.
Caulton Ray actually transferred from MSU. He only played in the first couple of games.
I think Michigan will really miss Minor/Brown this year because even though they were injury prone they would get the tough yards against the Iowas of the world.
Against Delaware St. Vincent Smith had 166 yds 1 TD Mike Cox 82 yds. 2 TDs and Michael Shaw 73 yds. 1 TD.....way to pad the stats.
I'm a bit split on Royster/Green. My issue is that PSU's offensive line was fairly awful last year, and that impacts the running back's production, especially in red zone situations. Our offensive line was suspect at times, but more so in obvious passing situations. As the games went on, our O-Line got significantly better.
But Clark is gone from PSU, and Newsome is experiencing significant growing pains. I expect PSU's passing attack to be weak and unreliable. That means PSU is going to have to rely heavily on its running game. As a general matter, only Wisconsin utilizes the running game to absolutely dictate the pace of the offense, sprinkling in play action to keep defenses honest. I think, as a matter of talent, Royster is the second-best RB in the league, behind Clay; but, as a wholistic matter, incorporating the offensive lines and passing options and all the rest that goes into a running game, I think Alex rightly places PSU at 3rd, and they could perhaps fall to 4th or 5th, depending on Newsome's maturation.
Clay is a junior.
Funny how this guy says that MSU sophmore class is set up better ar rb than anyone else in the Big 10 because Caper and Baker starred last season as freshmen rushing for a combined 895 yds and 7 td's and ranking them 5th. But he failed to mention that the team he ranked right in front of MSU at #4, Iowa, had 2 freshmen (Robinson, Wegher) rush for a combined 1,475 yds and 13 td's last year and also have Hampton returning this year and will be a sophmore after rushing for 463 yds and 7 td's as a freshman behind Shonn Greene in 2008. So looking at that, I might not be a certified genius, but I can see that Iowa's sophmore's are better than MSU's soph.
Clay's stats look good but if you look deeper im sure most of those yards came against some cupcakes.
Saine is the most dynamic back in the big ten. He can run by you or through you as well as catch the ball 25 to 30 yards down field. Combined that with boom/berry/Smith and Co. and Ohio State has by far the most talent at Rb in the big ten
Yes, you should be ripped for putting Penn State third. Penn State has the best group of backs in the Big Ten, period. Stephon Green is better than nine starters in the league, one is on his own team the other plays in Madison and the depth doesn't end there. It is entirely probable if not likely that Penn State has three backs on its team right now that are better than any in Columbus.
Really? Go look at your beloved rb's totals vs OSU, Iowa, and Wisconsin and the bowl games that past 2-3 years. Then come back and tell me that PSU's rb's are the best in the Big 10. Same for Clay of Wisconsin.
Kevin Whaley left the Gophers' football team before Spring Practice.
Right, like Miami.
This argument is all moot. OSU has the superior TEAM and will win yet another B10 championship. Enjoy the battle for second place.
Except that, he's a quarterback.
Who is "CAPERS"?
Iowa pair of freshmen put up 580 more yards and 6 more td's then MSU's freshmen duo. How is MSU duo better than Iowa's? Especially when you throw in Hampton (463, 7 td's behind Shonn Greene in 2008). All are sophomores for Iowa this year.
Royster and Clay both played on the same field for the bowl game just days apart.
next thing you know they are going to claim to be LB U, when EVERYONE knows that tOSU is the REAL LB pipeline to the NFL
Honestly I think Caper and Baker will be better than the Iowa backs in the long run, but in the immediate present for 2010 I like Iowa's backs better...I think they have a better offensive line and have more big stage experience, but with the recruiting job Dantonio is doing and their natural progressions I like Caper and Baker (especially Baker) two years from now over the Iowa trio.
got the Ray mishap...sorry about that...staring at depth charts for hours sometimes you miss the news of departures, suspensions, etc.
Don't forget that Edwin Baker's stats are a little skewed because for at least half of the season he was in line for a redshirt. It wasn't until some injuries hit in about week 6 or so that Dantonio had to burn his redshirt and get him in the game. So his stats only cover half of a season. In conclusion, Baker and Caper are studs, but not many people are arguing that.
thanks...fixed it....Whaley was talented but I guess got himself into some trouble...would've been a nice three headed monster
I miss stomping on the hearts of the Green and White....they rotate onto the schedule again next season right?!
Dom Capers. He's waking up the ghosts.
he goes down on first contact far to often and puts the ball on the turf to often. if royster runs behind wisko offensive line he has better stats then clay. ball is a nice compliment to clays straight ahead style.
a State Penn fan being irrational?!?! WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO!!!!!!
Off topic...but USA Today has a new team report for the Buckeyes.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports...
Factor in that TP will have that role 5-10 times a game - OSU is on tops.
...and a Suckeye thinking the world revolves around the 'bus. Also shocking.
Whaley got kicked out. Bball and Football players from Hampton Roads (with few exceptions) can't stay out of trouble. (Vick x 2,Iverson, Plaxico, Percy Harvin, Whaley...) I was pulling for Whaley to do good, but he has got into a bunch of shit, including getting shot at a night club a while back.
Well, when most everything that happens in the B10 DOES revolve around what the boys in Columbus are doing, I think it is a fair statement.
Don't give Alex & I PTSD. PLZ
How DOES it feel to always have to share your championships with us?
Its gotta really STING that you just cant win that Iowa game every year, even when you do get lucky enough to beat tOSU
flirting via trial balloon, its adorable. corporate love is sweetest in the spring. so, anyone else think its as unofficially official as its going to get?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c...
it'll be good to have another illinois floating around the conference, i guess.
Was trying to figure out why so many Michigan State, Penn State, and Iowa coments on here. Then I saw Rittenburg Linked this post. Kudos guys!
Well corn farmer, that would be the stud o-line Iowa's fantastic frosh get to run behind compared to the slap together Sparty line. Also, the Hawks had a pretty nifty passing game to take pressure off the RB's. Now go grow some soy beans.
All Royster does is put up 250 yards against Toledo and then dissappear in big games.
Haters to the left.
but but but what about that "blue royster cult" sign i saw on tv?!?!
how is heyward not 1st team AA? can someone please explain this to me? i'll give you clayborn... but seriously
wow the way you strengthen your argument by trying to steriotype a typical Iowa fan really makes you uncredible.
With that said i do agree that Baker and Capers might have more talent than Wegher and Robinson, but they do not compare with Iowa's 2011 starter in Jewel Hampton.
It is hard to compare the talent of running backs on different teams, but i think the this article is ranking the most successful running game/backs
Based on your team-by-team, I'd have moved Iowa ahead of PSU.
John Clay is a junior, Erik Smith is no longer with the team.
J.B.
A) Quarterbacks were already talked about. LiC does not qualify as a running back.
B) I think overall Ohio State should be #1 at running back. Quality tandem with Saine/Herron, depth and the offensive line was not as good as Iowa or Wisky
C)Royster is a good running back and could very well be an NFL stud. The argument that he is better than Clay and comparing the yards in specific games last year is rediculous. This is about this year! Wisky will have a good line with a quality starting QB and same could be said about MSU. PSU will struggle on offense and Royster will take the brunt.
If this article was about who is the most talented, I'm sure Royster, Clay or Saine would not be #1. It's about which running game will have the most likely success.
This list is garbage. MSU and wisconsin clearly are the best two rushing teams with the rest quite a bit behind. 5th? Right, easily one of the best tandems in college football on the most explosive offense in the big ten. Get it together.
Haha, it's funny how the author portrays OSU's depth as star-quality, but PSU's as unproven. Really? Apparently Jaamal Berry and Rod Smith, the "incoming star" (note: somehow, Silas Redd, a 5-star RB didn't get put into the category of "incoming star"), have proven things that the PSU depth hasn't proven.
This is absolutely laughable. Are you kidding? Apparently Zach Boren (4 receptions for 23 yards) has proven to be a receiving threat, but Joe Suhey (21 receptions for 186 yards) hasn't proven anything to anyone outside of Happy Valley?
I know you're a fan, but try applying the same standards to all teams. If PSU and OSU both have very good incoming RB's, then you can't just say one's a star and one is unproven depth. It's also dumb to just dismiss a lead back who had a better YPA average than any of OSU's RB's (outside of the one with 11 carries).
After saying all that, I would understand PSU being ranked 3rd...if you had given legitimate arguments across the board. But with the inconsistency, this ranking is worthless.
Correction: Your O-Line is worthless
thanks for stopping by
Anyone have an argument for who is the best running back to come out of the big 10 over the last decade? I'm an Iowa student and fan so obviously I'm biased in thinking that Shonn is up there but how about Barber/ Maroney/Wells etc... Just thought it was interesting
why do all PSU fans have such a chip on their shoulder?
so obnoxious.
are we talking about judging them on college or pro performance?
All reasonable Hawkeye fans, like me, are sweating buckets over the 2010 offensive line, which as someone above noted was the reason the 2 Iowa freshman running backs (Wehger and Robinson) did so well in 2009. I agree. The 2010 edition of the O-line will avg. 20lbs. per position lighter than last season's brutes and cannot be expected to achieve similar results, which statistically wasn't at the top of the conference anyway. They will be good eventually and fortunately the schedule is as favorable as it can be but the overheated expectations for the 2010 edition of the Hawkeyes is base entirely on what will be one of the best defensive units in recent years, and not the running game.That said, the key offensively for the Hawkeyes in 2010 will be Ricky Stanzi and the passing game, which IMO will be spectacular -- if the O-line can protect the passer and handle the blitz packages that are sure to come, which were in fact a problem even for last years veteran O-line. Iowa has to sneak up on people and this season's pre-season hype won't let that happen. I do believe the Iowa-OSU game in Iowa City in November will by a battle royale, with neither team taking prisoners. Thanks for letting me add these thought to the discussion on your very informative website.
I’m not sure that Iowa’s runningbacks benefited from fantastic run blocking last year. The pass blocking was generally better than the run blocking. Iowa would love to play ball control with a great running offense, but don’t tend to have the really big interior linemen that Wisconsin has.
Honestly, I think the 2009 Hawkeye offensive line benefited from the reputation of the previous years offensive line. The middle of Iowa offensive line was not as good in 2009 as the previous year. They missed Olson at RG and Bruggeman at Center. Vandervelde at guard struggled with the aftereffects of a pectoral muscle tear. The center of the 2009 line was smaller than in 2008. This was compounded multiple injuries and substitutions. It negatively affected the running game more than the passing game.
Last years offensive line looked fantastic in spring camp, but than things started to go wrong. What Iowa ended up with was three very good tackles, Bulaga, Calloway, and Reiff, taking turns very competently. A good but small center Eubanks, with a good but small backup Koepple. At guard Richardson had made a miraculous comeback but didn’t have the legs anymore. He was very strong against his man but slow to get to the second level. Vandervelde struggled with a pictorial muscle tear that hadn’t had time to heal.
Next years model looks a lot like last years. Two good tackles. From all reports, Reiff seems to be a cut above the rest. Vandervelde may get back to his sophomore form and improve his run blocking, but has limited mobility. Zus at right tackle may be second best lineman right now, and from all reports has very good footwork. I suspect Zus is the primary reason Binns at DE hasn’t stood out this spring. Ferentz at center, may be more physical than Eubanks last year. I’m not sold on Gettis. He seemed to be lost out there early last year, and has never really got up to weight.
I wouldn’t be surprise if Orne, the transfer, moves into a slot somewhere. He is as physical as anyone on the line, but hasn’t quite gotten the system down yet. I doubt Hundertmark makes a move yet, since he has been working at guard since only the middle of last season. Hagenman worked out at guard last year after being behind Bulaga two years ago. That was because of Reiff moving up. Macmillan (6-6, 288 RS Fr.) and Van Sloten (6-7, 290 RS Fr.) are two names you should file away for the near future. Barring injury, Reiff will go first round after his junior year.
Oh yes, I was supposed to be talking about running backs. Hmmm… It would be nice to have a few actually suited up for spring practice wouldn't it.
Correction: your the biggest loser on this thread. You act like you own the OSU football team. Your probably some lowlife weirdo that wacks off everytime you see someone wearing a vest cause you think of tressel....i have no favorite big ten team btw i just laughed at almost every comment you made haha
Im not saying i agree with kevin but PSU doe have alot of established talent and great potential talent as well. Evan Royster is a great RB who shouldnt be over looked with Clay. PSUs offensive line definitely made a negative impact on Roysters season last year, especially falling apart in the red zone. Stephfon Green is a outside the tackles RB but hasnt been give the ball in that direction at all, stupid play calling running stephfon green up the middle has limited him. Silas Redd looks like something else with his quickness, and at a florida camp reporters noted that he outplayed lache seastrunk that week and looked like the better back. Beachum is solid and so is Dukes.
it's "you're" not "your, learn the diff. just saying.
ARGUMENT IS VOID
Was I just insulted or complimented? Im more confused than the broadcasters were trying to figure out why JoePa's pants were a different color after halftime in 06
You had me at lowlife weirdo that wacks off everytime you see someone wearing a vest. Its like you've known me for years. We should be friends.
PSU's OL is worthless? Wow, what a great argument that didn't address any of my points. It's also an argument with zero foundation. As I mentioned, Royster had a better YPC than any of OSU's back other than the one with far too little sample size. And that was with a makeshift OL that had very little experience overall.
So, I am reading all of this unoriginal stuff posted by the PSU haters, and I will give you a little slack on your Royster comments. Evan didn't have a great year in 2009, but he was still a solid back (his total yards and yard per carry back that up) that was playing behind a so-so offensive line. And I will even let you slide when you talk bad about Green, because outside of a few glimpses of greatness, he has not lived up to his billing.
I won't let you knock the rest of that RB corp. though. Beecham was banged up, but is a great short-yardage back when healthy. Silas Redd hasn't played a down of college football yet, but mark my words, he is going to be a stud before his career is over (if not PSU's second only Heisman winner). And to say anything bad about a fullback with the last name Suhey is just sacrilegious.