Ohio State's running back room is under new management.
Wednesday offered the first chance for the media to speak to Carlos Locklyn, who was hired by the Buckeyes to replace Tony Alford as running backs coach on April 1. Locklyn, who says it's "surreal" to be at Ohio State given his story, feels he excels as an "elite relationship builder" when coaching.
Head coach Ryan Day felt Locklyn's knowledge of the position and aptitude as a recruiter made him a "slam dunk" hire.
The Buckeyes' spring game is also on Saturday, so Day took the opportunity to preview the exhibition and update key position battles on the offensive line, at quarterback and eslewhere.
Ryan Day
- On why Locklyn was the right fit: "When you hear about Carlos' story, it's captivating. ... His overall knowledge of the position, the impact he's had in recruiting ... he was an absolute slam dunk for us."
- On the hiring process: "As you can imagine we had a lot of candidates. ... Because of the timing of it, it allowed us to be really thorough with it. ... Interviewed some people, pared it down to about four or five."
- "Most of the guys in the room knew Coach Lock from their recruiting days. ... When they heard that he was one of the finalists, they got excited, you could see it in their eyes."
- Day said that the important thing for the spring is about each player improving individually. He feels he's seen that from Ohio State's offensive line. "By the end of this week we need to identify where we're going ... but I feel like both tackles have improved. It's noticeable. Donovan (Jackson) has improved ... Seth (McLaughlin) and Carson (Hinzman) have improved as well."
- While Josh Fryar has taken consistent reps at guard, he's mostly been a tackle this spring, and that's where they like him long-term.
- On Julian Sayin losing his black stripe: "He's been in there competing and he's making plays. ... Ultimately the players know. .... You can tell when guys have the respect of the team."
- On the ongoing quarterback competition: "You're trying to see where they're at, but you're also trying to project what they could be into the summer."
- On the upcoming transfer portal window: "I feel like we have a team that is coming together for a common purpose ... I think we have a good group that way. ... I don't see a bunch of guys that want to run out the door. ... We know that we'll have to play with a lot of depth next year. ... We're gonna roll guys and play depth."
- Day said he doesn't think that Ohio State has narrowed down its quarterback competition, though there is "some separation" from certain players.
- Sayin is involved in that quarterback competition. "He's in the mix. He is."
- The beginning of the spring game will be thud with certain high-rep players, but it will switch to tackle early on.
- With TC Caffey as a key walk-on depth piece, Day didn't express any need to add a transfer running back despite Dallan Hayden's recent entry into the portal. "We're looking for five, so I think we're in a situation where we'll be at five."
- On the spring game being televised by a major network: "To be the first-ever spring game that's gonna be nationally televised on FOX, that's great for our guys, great for our program."
- On where Will Howard stands in the competition: "His experience is definitely showing. ... His combination of being able to extend plays with his feet, make plays in the run game ... be accurate ... all of those things put stress on the defense. ... He's put in a lot of work, you can see that."
- On Devin Brown: "He's now into year three. ... He probably feels the most comfortable in the offense. ... He certainly has the potential and he flashes."
- Ohio State's defensive tackles are "creating havoc" in the backfield and the defensive backs are getting their hands on a lot of balls, Day said.
- Day still isn't eliminating the possibility of additional transfer portal help on the offensive line. "We have to look at everything, I'm not gonna sit here and say one way or the other. ... I can't sit here and tell you that I know that right side is solidified right, so we're looking at all options."
- The length of Ohio State's season and easier opening portion of its schedule could enable Day and his staff to build more depth at quarterback.
- "The overall strength, size, then it's a matter of
Carlos Locklyn
- On his feeling to be at Ohio State: "I'm pretty excited. This has been a journey, I'm sure a lot of people have read about my journey ... I have to pinch myself every morning that I come to Columbus, Ohio State. It's surreal."
- Locklyn got his initial text expressing interest from Day while at home with his wife. "I was like a kid on Christmas."
- Locklyn is confident he'll know how to divide reps between TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. "This ain't my first rodeo, plus I know those two kids because I recruited them while they were in high school."
- On what he brings as a running back coach: "I get the best out of them because I love the young men. ... My purpose as a football coach is to serve them. My goals on the football field. will take care of themselves. Carlos Locklyn is not a recruiter, he's an elite relationship builder."
- Locklyn borrowed his famous "soft-batched cookies" slogan from a high school coach in Memphis, Tennessee. "Pillsbury needs to give me a deal. ... The soft-batched cookie thing comes from a mentality, a toughness."
- Locklyn said his faith and a higher purpose help him build relationships no matter which school he is at. "This (Ohio State) is a great logo, but I wear a better logo every day. That's the cross I wear."
- An imposing physical appearance and confident demeanor are takeaways Locklyn had from his career in law enforcement that help him as a running back coach. "I had a block with 51 inmates. ... You've gotta have a certain demeanor about you. ... There's a reason I train every morning. I want to look just as good as my boys look."
- Locklyn only has a desire to coach running backs, he said, no other position.
- Locklyn prefers to be called "Lock" rather than Carlos.
