Video: Urban Meyer Talks First Week of Spring Practice, Says Freshman Austin Mack 'Is Going To Play This Fall'

By Eric Seger on March 11, 2016 at 11:44 am
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Urban Meyer is a busy man. The Ohio State head coach and his staff are entertaining a slew of NFL personnel Friday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, with 22 former players working out in front of scouts and other front office members.

Meyer still made time to speak with local reporters, however, to give an update on his team's progress through spring drills. The Buckeyes completed their first week of spring practice Thursday and are off next week for spring break.

"We had two really good days of practice," Meyer said. "I hope it turns out like this, but I compare it to 2014 when you had a bunch of no-name guys."

Ohio State won the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship in 2014, rebounding from a Week 2 loss to Virginia Tech to defeat Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon in the postseason. Meyer also had high praise for true freshman wide receiver Austin Mack, who enrolled in January after graduating early from Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

"Austin Mack is going to play next year. I know it's only two days, and I have a tendency to over-evaluate guys and get too excited, but he's doing fantastic," Meyer said.

Meyer added the Buckeyes have moved Jamarco Jones to left tackle and sophomore Isaiah Prince is "doing really well." At running back, Meyer is pleased with the progress fifth-year senior Bri'onte Dunn continues to make.

"Bri'onte Dunn, he's changed his body, he's changed everything," Meyer said. "Him and Mike Weber, that's a good battle at the tailback spot right now."

Meyer didn't even speak for 90 seconds before having to get back to his Pro Day duties but isn't scheduled to meet reporters again until March 22.

"As big a Pro Day as probably in the history of the NFL or Ohio State, which is good news," Meyer said. "The bad news is we're losing a bunch of players.

"It's non-stop. Our coaches, we got all our players done by I think 8 a.m. and then from 8-noon they're here for the scouts."

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