We know all too well about the areas where we lack depth moving forward (i.e., linebacker positions, offensive line, wide receivers). But man oh man contemplate for a second the crazy depth we have at the running back position next year (when we can actually play in a bowl game and possibly the MNC).
Jordan Hall will likely be back as a Redshirt Senior (and hopefully at or near 100%); Carlos Hyde will be a true senior; Rod Smith will be a redshirt junior; Brionte Dunn will be a true sophomore; Warren Ball will be a redshirt freshman; and we will have Ezekiel Elliott as a true freshman. Also, keep in mind, if we pick up a guy like Corn Elder or a David Williams, we have another athlete that is comfortable at the tailback position. And, finally, probably our BEST running back is none other than Braxton Miller himself.
I think the best part about Hall redshirting and coming back--aside from giving us ridiculous depth--is that he can play that flex/playmaker position in Urban's offense that he was originally supposed to play before his injury. That means that we may have formations that feature triple option plays where Braxton can either keep, hand off to Hyde/Smith, or lateral it over to Jordan Hall on the edge. How would you like to be the defensive coordinator that has to prep his team in a few days to defend that kind of attack?
This ridiculous depth at the RB position also gives Meyer/Herman some flexibility should, God forbid, Braxton get injured because our run offense should be good enough on its own to win us a game next year.
Should be interesting to see what Meyer/Herman come up with in the offseason to maximize this abundance at the tailback position and which players will be featured out of our outstanding crop of running backs.
I agree. With all of that.
I think you will see Jacobs and Marshall in the backfield some too... They won't be listed as RB's, but I'm sure they will line up there some.
It'll be interesting to see how we utilize the depth. That's a lot of talent to get PT and keep happy. I remember Urban's Florida teams using young guys routinely, even for just a couple of carries. Wonder if that is the psychology major hard at work ensuring they know they'll get their shot if they put in the time and effort. Because, honestly, we could see some transfers with that depth. Dunn as a second year player surely didn't expect to be the 4th string, same with Ball and 5th (assuming Elliot doesn't jump them, which isn't a sure thing).
When told OSU set school record for 50+ games this year, UFM said "That's good. We're gonna break that next year."
Yah transfers could definately be a problem with all that depth. I think Hall will probably be moved over to the slot/utility role though moreso than tailback. Elliot and Marshall could play that role as well to.
Also keep I'm mind we have four lineman returning with Decker most likely filling Fragels spot. Man, I thought this years run game was good.
I see Hall being moved to that slot/WR position. Meyer hasnt really had anyone be able to play that Percy Harvin role he wanted this year w/Hall being out most of the season. I see him being that Harvin type player all season next year w/Hyde being our #1 big back. I see Dunn & Smith getting there fair share of carries as I think Smith has passed Dunn for good on the Depth Chart. Ball wont see much PT at HB next season.
Now as far as the incoming 2013 recruits go, I think Elliot will be that same type of player as Hall next season. I see Elliot getting some carries at HB to. I see Marshall being a KR/PR type of kid while playing some WR/slot & seeing 10 or so carries at HB. I dont see Jacobs carrying the ball at all as a HB, but like on sweeps, jailbreaks & options n so on. No carries at the true RB position. I think Jacobs is to small. His height isnt the issue, its his weight. He really needs to bulk up if he wants to get more carries. I think Meyer brought him in for the KR/PR game, some slot PT, & also Jacobs can play CB if I remember correctly. So if he dont work out on Offense, he can switch to CB. You can never have enough good CBs.
As far as the other 2013 targets, we can talk about them if/when they end up in this class instead of worrying about them now.
#Buckeyes
Based on what we've seen this year we will not be good enough to rely just on a ground game next year except against really weak defenses if Miller is not part of that attack. If a defense knows that Kenny is just going to hand it off they stuff the box and unless Guiton is good enough to make them pay we look like we did against Purdue for the first 59 minutes.
Few teams have a ground game good enough that they can win consistently without the QB contributing through the air or by running himself.
I predict one of Ball or Dunn transferring. I'm not saying that they lack talent or anything, but who wants to sit the bench? I was more excited about Warren Ball than Dunn during recruiting, but I assume after Spring Ball is finished and the coaches know what they have, some conversations will happen with brutal honesty.
There is a part of me that is optimistic and makes me think "well maybe these are all really humble guys who are team players that don't care about PT." But I doubt it.
It will be fun to see who rises to the top during the off season!
Ive never been a big fan of Hall. He's just not very good at breaking tackles and goes down easy. His lateral quickness is good but has no break away speed. I just hope his redshirt doesn't cause Ball or Dunn to transfer
If I remember correctly, Urban talked up Warren Ball today on his weekly call-in radio show... Said he had a great spring practice, and I'd guess we most likely see them only appearing next year due to injury or clean up work, but the following year, only Rod will be ahead of them (in experience) so one or both could see a bit of work.
The Buckeyes are so deep with RB talent that the offense can loan the defense a running back or two....
O H I O is the Buckeye State
That much depth could also lead to Dunn or Bell tansfering.
I thought Dunn had a nice spring too. I wonder if his he has not been practicing. I would love to get some more reps for backups to get healthy for the last two weeks. How much momentum will that help with recruiting coming off an undefeated season?
Meyer will be able to use all of these rbs. I think we see hyde, smith, zeke, marshall, dunn and ball get carries next year. With # of carries in order go like this: hyde, zeke, smith, marshall, dunn and ball. Marshall will also be catching passes as well. at florida the one season meyer used harvin, rainey, demps, moody and brandon james out of the backfield.
It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog
This is normal RB depth for a school like OSU. LSU has 5 guys who run the ball and they wear down defenses with them. Bama has 2 primary RBs and a FB who routinely runs the ball. It is another position where you want to keep fresh
Granted, not sure how many of the recruits this year fill the Hyde/Smith power role as well as those guys. Dunn can do it (don't know much about ball honestly even his size). The newcomers seem to be more scat type backs, which will compliment nicely
Not sure about Warren Ball, but I can't see Bri'onte Dunn transferring. In 2014, when Dunn is a Junior, he should be competing for the lead RB position along with RS senior Rod Smith, and at the very worst, by his senior year he should be number one in the depth chart.
You could make an argument that Ball has less of a visible path to being a starter, especially with Zeke coming in next year, but if I'm Ball I have to like the success that big backs like Hyde/Smith are having in Meyer's power spread offense, so I don't see him being too threatened by an edge-runner like Zeke.
I don't see Ball transfering. He was the first guy in his class to commit and has been all OSU forever. He really wants to be here and I think he will tough out his injury and make a strong push for PT next year.
EDIT second guy to commit.
I know there's a game saturday, and my ass will be there.