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OSU football | Switch came with a catch
Stoneburner gives Buckeyes a new look at tight end
Sunday, July 5, 2009
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Kyle Robertson | Dispatch
Jake Stoneburner moved from receiver as OSU looks to throw more to its tight ends.

As the needle on the scale rose, the odds of Jake Stoneburner playing receiver sank.

The Dublin Coffman graduate came to Ohio State in the spring of 2008 determined to play receiver. Even with a 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame, he had the speed to play outside and had spent his high school career there, making the All-Ohio first team and playing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

But he suffered a stress fracture in his shin over the summer. And while injured and redshirting last season, he threw himself into the strength and conditioning program.

"I started working out hard, and weight just flew on me like nothing," Stoneburner said. "I'm coming up on 243 now, and I don't feel any bigger. I think I just had a natural growth spurt."

He grew right out of receiver. In January, the coaching staff decided his future was at tight end.

Tight end. Those words could strike fear in the heart of any self-respecting Ohio State skill player.

The position has been marginalized in recent seasons. Not since 2003 has a Buckeyes tight end caught more than 16 passes (Ben Hartsock had 33 and Ryan Hamby 18 that year).

Last season, despite the presence of two veterans -- Rory Nicol and Jake Ballard -- the position yielded only 11 catches.

"My first thought is I didn't want to (move)," Stoneburner said. "The receivers get the glory, you know? But after talking to the coaches, it made sense. (Ballard) is a senior, and there is going to be an opening for the next few years, and I can mold into the position.

"Plus, receiver is always a jam-packed position. There's always so many coming in."

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : OSU football | Switch came with a catch