[BB73]

From the Ozone's early look at the 2008 offense.

This year there's more than "a pair and a spare", but there's a question on who will be leading the way on the "iso" play.

ozone.2008/offense

Running Backs: Like the offensive line, the running back position is an embarrassment of riches for the Buckeye headed into 2008.

The headliner is, over course, Beanie Wells, who now-retired Michigan Head Coach Lloyd Carr called the best running back he had seen in the Big Ten in his time as the coach of the Wolverines.

Wells played through an assortment of injuries last year and improved as the season progressed. He reportedly has had off-season surgery on his wrist and his ankle is expected to be much improved in 2008. There is every reason to expect a better Beanie Wells in 2008, and that is bad news for everybody on OSU's schedule, and very good news for the Buckeyes.

Returning Scholarship Running Backs:
Chris Wells (6-1, 230, rising junior),
Brandon Saine (6-1, 210, rising sophomore),
Maurice Wells (5-10, 190, rising senior), and
Dan Herron ( 5-10, 200, rising redshirt freshman).

Returning Walk On Running Backs:
Marcus Williams (5-9, 195, rising junior),
K. C. Christian (6-0, 205, rising redshirt sophomore),
Bo DeLande (6-0, 210, rising sophomore),
Joe Gantz (6-0, 205, rising redshirt junior).

Fullbacks: There isn't a whole lot returning at fullback. The lone returner on the roster listed at that position is Aram Olson who did not contribute in 2007 due to depth ahead of him as well as an injury situation. Olson was described as a true, throwback fullback when he signed with OSU, but has not had an opportunity to show that in his career thus far. Also listed as a fullback is walkon Spencer Smith.

The Buckeye signed a fullback in this years recruiting class, and the OSU coaching staff has had a history of moving players at other positions into the fullback position, much as they did with tight end/linebacker Stan White and offensive lineman Tyler Waley. This year may be a year when the coaching staff drafts a player at another position to help out at fullback.

Returning Scholarship Players:
Aram Olson (6-2, 255, rising redshirt sophomore)

Returning Walk Ons:
Spencer Smith (6-2, 230, rising redshirt freshman)

Newcomers:
Jermil Martin (5-11, 220)