WR Dane Sanzenbacher (official thread)

[Buckskin86]

The Great Dane: Freshman wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher hasn't been on the field yet to prove his worth, but the OSU coaching staff is very high on the Toledo, Ohio, native. Sanzenbacher is currently listed as the number one slot receiver, the position played by Anthony Gonzalez. Wide receiver coach Darrell Hazell described what makes Sanzenbacher special.

"He's (Sanzenbacher) done an unbelievable job," said Hazell.

"I think the thing that has propelled him above some of the other guys is his ability to learn and retain and apply on the field. That's what his special quality has been," said Hazell.

"Physically he's good too," Hazell said.

"He's got all the physical tools that he needs to have. He's got good speed, he's got good quickness, he gets his hips down, he's got real soft hands, he's got great concentration. The big thing for him is continue to learn and get beat up a little bit out there on the field and get some experience."

The natural question is whether or not Sanzenbacher can measure up to the level of excellence that Gonzalez brought to that position.

"He's not Anthony Gonzalez yet," said Hazell.

"Anthony Gonzalez was a great player for us, but he's got the same type of makeup as Anthony in terms of his work habits, his study habits, his ability to transition on the field. He's got the same kind of makeup, so it will interesting to see if he can get to that level," said Hazell.

http://www.the-ozone.net/football/20...book082607.htm

By the middle of his freshman season - Greg Dempsey predicts that's when receiver Dane Sanzenbacher will be playing for Ohio State.

It looks like Sanzenbacher's old high school coach at Toledo Central Catholic isn't bold enough.

Sanzenbacher could be playing on Ohio State's first offensive snap of the season Saturday, thanks to Ray Small's ankle injury, stepping in as the slot receiver next to Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline with the first team against Youngstown State.

"Dane reminds me of a mix of Brian Hartline and Anthony Gonzalez," OSU quarterback Rob Schoenhoft said. "He'll be a special player down the road."

Receivers coach Darrell Hazell, attempting to slow down the hyperbole, grudgingly admitted some resemblance to one of OSU's recent first-round NFL draft picks.

"I see a little bit of a young Gonzo," Hazell said.

For the young Buckeyes, it doesn't stop there. Sanzenbacher is just one piece of what should shape up as the most active freshman class in Jim Tressel's seven seasons at Ohio State.

Hazell said Sanzenbacher is first among the freshmen receivers because he has learned the offense more quickly. Pretty good for a guy who didn't take part in individual receiver drills in high school because he was too busy serving as Toledo Central Catholic's backup quarterback as well.

"I knew once coach Hazell got a hold of him he'd get that much better that much faster," said Dempsey, his high school coach.

cleveland.com: Everything Cleveland

[7Brutus7]

I'm glad you never bought a #12 jersey and thought that was Craig Krenzel, Krenzel was #16. Jenkins was #12 on that same team.

Anyways go out and buy that #12 jersey, we just keep putting stars in it anyway.

haha good catch, it was late and I just watched the Holy Buckeye play and apparently that made me confused somehow but I'll just stop talking now

[jwinslow]

Originally Posted by utgrad73

attachment

Nice pics (shoulda tagged em) Gotta edit a few more from the end, then I'll toss his gallery link here.

[utgrad73]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

Nice pics (shoulda tagged em) Gotta edit a few more from the end, then I'll toss his gallery link here.

Sorry JW. Again, my enthusiasm gets the best of me. Dane just ran across my screen in that slide show and he needed to rest in "My Pictures" for a few seconds so I can use him to taunt my Michigan Boss throughtout the season. I have a screen saver with nothing but tOSu and TCC pics (Dane's HS). Saving a few for Mr Sanz also, so he can show his buddies.

Anyway, onto another point:

Here's an interesting comment I found from Coach Hazell. Experience and getting beat up a little go hand in hand. Dane played both offense and defense in HS. He never left the field because he also returned kicks/punts. My point being is there is certain level of toughness that goes with playing both ways and on special teams. Granted running routes thru a zone loaded with LBs may be hazardous, there's nothing like experience to improve that durability. I believe he will do fine here but the real test is Saturday.

"Physically he's good too," Hazell said.
"He's got all the physical tools that he needs to have. He's got good speed, he's got good quickness, he gets his hips down, he's got real soft hands, he's got great concentration. The big thing for him is continue to learn and get beat up a little bit out there on the field and get some experience."

[jwinslow]

No biggie. If Dane continues to blow up for years to come, they might have to hire you for his marketing team

[utgrad73]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

No biggie. If Dane continues to blow up for years to come, they might have to hire you for his marketing team

Sounds good. I could use the extra income, but I would gladly do it pro bono.

[Buckskin86]

Sanzenbacher a likely starter for Buckeyes

By MATT MARKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

COLUMBUS - Two weeks ago, Dan Sanzenbacher was cautiously optimistic about the progress he had made while working out at Ohio State University over the summer, and hopeful about his prospects for playing a role for the Buckeyes as a freshman in the 2007 football season.

This Saturday, the former All-Ohio wide receiver from Central Catholic could be in the starting lineup for the Buckeyes. Sanzenbacher has apparently made the most of his opportunities at Ohio State, and following an injury to projected starter Ray Small, a sophomore from Cleveland, Sanzenbacher has jumped up the depth chart and onto the field with the Buckeyes' top unit.

"In their recent scrimmage, he had moved up to the No. 3 receiver and was lining up in the slot, practicing with the No. 1 offensive team," Central Catholic coach Greg Dempsey said. "This close to the first game, I'd think that's usually a pretty good indication of who they expect to play, and Dane looks like he's part of that group."

Sanzenbacher's father, Lee, has made similar observations about his son's likely role with the Buckeyes.

"It's looking like he's part of their plans at the receiver position," Lee Sanzenbacher said. "It's not something they have talked about much publicly at this point, but he's been practicing with the starters. We really won't know for certain until game day, though."

toledoblade.com -- Sanzenbacher a likely starter for Buckeyes

[utgrad73]

Around the Oval :: An Ohio State Buckeyes Blog (scroll down about a third of the screen)

This piece talks about Dane's mental awareness as he prepares for Saturday. I think it also reads (between the lines) that a certain incoming freshman made the best of this opportunity. We all want Ray Small to return healthy; but in his absence, Dane Sanzenbacher has made his first impression a lasting one and coach "Tressel finds another hidden gem"

From pfef Around the Oval:

It is often forgotten (by myself admittedly), that when everybody is getting caught up in star rankings and recruiting services such as Scout and Rivals, that recruiting players out of high school is only half of the battle. It's up to the coaching staff, not to mention the player's own mental makeup (the coaches seem to credit Sanzenbacher's willingness to learn as his greatest strength at this moment), to develop the young man from a blue chip recruit to an effective football player on the collegiate level.

Ans: A ticket to the dance:

But what does this mean for Sanzenbacher? Well, Ray Small will probably be ready for the first game of the season, because this injury seems to be relatively precautionary, but Sanzenbacher's camp performance guaranteed himself playing time nonetheless. This also puts Sanzenbacher on the inside track to be Anthony Gonzalez's replacement as the next great, often overlooked slot receiver at Ohio State.

I wonder if Anthony Gonzalez could weigh in on this? Ironically, Gonzo is a "freshman" with the Colts just as Dane is with the Buckeyes. Given the difference in levels, he would be a great mentor to the newbie. Back to reality, I'm sure he's busy "studying" the plays for the Colts and getting ready for his debut.

Go Bucks

[utgrad73]

Dane scoring that first TD was big, that ball was thrown hard. Good start to his CFB career.

Nice catch Dane

Good Game

Go Bucks

Game Stats
NCAA Football - Youngstown State Penguins/Ohio State Buckeyes Box Score Saturday September 1, 2007 - Yahoo! Sports

[OregonBuckeye]

He was open for another but Henton threw an absolute rocket. I doubt all that many NFL receivers would've caught that one.

[utgrad73]

Originally Posted by OregonBuckeye

He was open for another but Henton threw an absolute rocket. I doubt all that many NFL receivers would've caught that one.

Rocket yes, IMO he needs to work on those and catch them. That was another TD.

But all in all, it was Good first Game for Dane and his freshman buddies!!

http://www.bigtennetwork.com/news/article.asp?list_id=1&story_id=797

Dane Sanzenbacher and Taurian Washington, a pair of prized freshmen wide-outs, each scored on their first career receptions, Sanzenbacher's coming on a 3-yard toss from Boeckman and Washington's covering 37 yards from Antonio Henton.
Another freshman, Brandon Saine, the reigning Mr. Football in Ohio, also was part of the coming-out party with 42 yards rushing on 10 carries including a 1-yard touchdown plunge. He jitterbugged in and out of traffic on a 16-yard TD run late in the third quarter that was called back by a holding call.

This is going to be a very good football team. Very proud to see the kids doing so well. This is when tOSU football is the best, looking forward to next week already, and the next bunch of surprises.

Go Bucks

[utgrad73]

Snap Indeed. Dane's reaction today:

Bucknuts.com - Buckeyes Open With 38-6 Win Over YSU

Finally on third-and-goal from the 3, Boeckman threw to Sanzenbacher on a 3-yard slant for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead with 9:36 left in the first quarter.

"I was in the slot obviously and we had a little slant called, which just means you've got to find a seam when you're that close to the goal line," Sanzenbacher said. "And Todd did a good job of finding me in the back. It just felt like a snap. The ball was snapped and the next thing I knew I was handing it to the ref. I don't remember too much about it, but it was fun. I still don't think it's set in."

Boeckman added, "Dane had a little slant route there and I was able to put the ball in there."

[Bestbuck36]

He probably should've had the long ball also, but he turned and forgot where he was at on the field. Reminds me A LOT of Teddy's freshman season. Big plays all around him but some of the easier ones get away due to lack of concentration. He's got all the skills needed to end up near the top of Buckeye receiving lists if he stays humble, concentrates and works like I think he will. He and Taurian might be the next Ginn/Gonzo combination as witnessed out there today. Great looking freshmen.

[utgrad73]

Excuse my ranting and raving, but when you wait this long for football and the results are noteworthy, you'll just have to put up with me. As one that has followed Mr Sanzenbacher's football career since GS and HS, making his first TD catch in the first quarter on the first drive of the first game as the first true freshman WR cracking the lineup kinda gets me going. Not that it takes much, because this fan is still reeling from yesterday's game.
It was the first outing for Dane and his freshman cohorts, the first game can create some jitters with a 102,000 people watching, not to mention the millions of TV audience. I was one living in Toledo who was fortunate to have the BTN signal beaming to my bigscreen. The first images transmitted seemed larger than life as I saw tOSU take the field. Then on the third down of the set, the announcer said, "Sanzenbacher is in the game as third receiver." I first saw him at the top of the screen once and then again running a quick slant in the endzone. Result, a bullet fired by TB was caught and in #12's hands - his first TD as a Buckeye! Did anyone notice that he almost went out at the back of the endzone? Some have said he looks like Gonzo in the way he runs and catches. It's all good as Dane puts up 6 with just minutes ticked off the clock. Whatever happened in the rest of the game could not surpass that moment of excitement for me and it had to be huge for him. Enough of the R & R, here's what the Toledo Blade said:

toledoblade.com -- OSU freshmen impressive as Buckeyes roll

Freshman receiver Dane Sanzenbacher from Toledo's Central Catholic High School was one of those who seized on the chance he had, helping the Buckeyes to a 38-6 win over Youngstown State.

On Ohio State's opening possession of the game, Sanzenbacher moved from the slot on the right side of quarterback Todd Boeckman and slipped into an opening between the Youngstown State linebackers and defensive backs near the rear of the end zone. Boeckman found him for a three-yard touchdown less than six minutes into Sanzenbacher's Ohio State career.

"It was a slant, and I just basically had to find a seam," Sanzenbacher said. "Fortunately, Todd found me, and we got the score. It was like a blur, though, since it seems like we snapped the ball and then I was handing it to the official. It happened so fast, but I'm glad to get that first one out of the way."

And The Ozone:

http://www.theozone.net/football/200...dquotebook.htm

Sanzenbacher, Saine and Washington all scored to account for three of OSU's five touchdowns.
"They were real solid," said Head Coach Jim Tressel who was particularly impressed with the play of his young wide receivers.

Go Bucks

[lightyears2012]

Originally Posted by Bestbuck36

He probably should've had the long ball also, but he turned and forgot where he was at on the field. Reminds me A LOT of Teddy's freshman season. Big plays all around him but some of the easier ones get away due to lack of concentration. He's got all the skills needed to end up near the top of Buckeye receiving lists if he stays humble, concentrates and works like I think he will. He and Taurian might be the next Ginn/Gonzo combination as witnessed out there today. Great looking freshmen.

I am going to have to disagree with you... If you recall the opening kickoff, the ball was blown from the T twice in the same direction the ball floated away from Dane... Thw wind had everything to do with the way that play ended... Dane knew where he was on the field IMHO...