DE Keith Wells (official thread)

[Taosman]

Kids will be kids. And getting exposed to all the outside stuff on a big campus can lead you astray. But , as of now it sounds like he better get it going or he'll get passed by someone like Fellows. Competition boys!

[RB07OSU]

As others have mentioned, I'm not liking Duane's reports...even if Keith is unfocused right now I would wait awhile to see if the trend continues, rather than publicly say he may never play a down here. I really liked Keith as a recruit and thought he was one of the most polite, well spoken, and deep players coming into this class. He seemed like a classic JT recruit and I hope he starts to make some noise. With all that said, I don't expect him to pass Wilson, Heyward, Rose, Williams, or Gibson...plus Thomas has looked tough. Keith was never going to be an instant impact in any event so if it takes him awhile to log some time, that is A OK. He was an athletic specimen that needed some polish. I'm still a huge Keith Wells fan.

[sparcboxbuck]

Originally Posted by RB07OSU

I'm still a huge Keith Wells fan.

+1

Pulling for this one since the day I saw his video talking about becoming one of the good guys.

[zincfinger]

Originally Posted by generaladm

If [Wells is] still a non-factor during his junior year, I'll accept the questioning of his (fill in the blank). But I can't stomach "never play here" this early without some major back up.

To be fair, Long did not say categorically that Wells will never play a down at OSU. He said that Wells won't play unless he changes his attitude/approach. Whether the latter is accurate, I couldn't say, but the two things are clearly not the same.

[Poe McKnoe]

Originally Posted by buchtelgrad04

I dislike reading the majority of Duane's blogs. I always get the vibe that he likes to bash players moreso than he does praise them. His information could be true, but the way he comes off is very negative, from my perspective. I know Keith, he's a nice kid, I'd be a little surprised if he was to "never play here."

I could be wrong, but Keith has already played a down for Ohio State hasn't he? So the source is already wrong.

Seriously, I remember seeing him in there and he didn't redshirt, did he?

[jwinslow]

Seriously, I remember seeing him in there and he didn't redshirt, did he?

Against Troy, I remember that vividly.

['BusNative]

Pretty irresponsible post by DL, if you ask me. So his "source" makes an outlandish comment, DL posts it, and then backs it up with examples of players who have, in one way or another, already completed their OSU careers. Just like it's always unfair to compare current players potential with NFL players or NFL greats, its ridiculously unfair to compare a kid who has no reported violations, no reported issues and who is still enrolled and on the team to Hiley, or Clarett, etc. Keith hasn't even had his second fall camp yet, my Lord.

Let's not prophesy a kid's demise until he is done at tOSU, esp. based on a "source." If there are legit concerns about a kid's behavior, let's get some commentary from JT or on-the-record comments from other "staff." At least a police blotter

DL's blog has been consistently danced along the line, but he put one foot over it on this post, IMHO.

[Buckskin86]

Asked specifically about the status of receiver Ray Small and Keith Wells, Tressel said both were doing fine as far as he knows.

Terrelle Pryor not expected to be sophomore captain and other Ohio State notes - cleveland.com

[BB73]

Keith talks about his off-season shoulder surgery, and says that he's been lining up sometimes with his hand on the ground and sometimes at the Leo position.

Ozone

...

"Last year I was kind of devastated with injuries," said Wells.

"I dislocated my shoulder twice, so after the Texas game I went on ahead and had labrum repair surgery.

"The labrum is in your shoulder and is pretty much the muscle tissue that keeps the ball in the socket.

"All in the off-season, the summer and the spring, I've been rehabbing and getting my strength back so I can go out and compete."

Wells is in camp and champing at the bit to prove himself as a player who can make the same kind of impact that his classmate Williams made last year. Wells' biggest obstacle to that goal will be the formidable talent already on the OSU depth chart at his position. To see the field Wells will have to displace players like Thaddeus Gibson or Lawrence Wilson, both of whom are pure defensive ends, or even players like Cameron Heyward or Robert Rose, both of whom can play inside or outside. Despite the wealth of defensive ends, Wells is not deterred.
Keith Wells

"That doesn't discourage me," said Wells.

"I feel like once I'm at my point, the point
where I want to be, there won't be any competition for me."

Bold words, but Wells thinks he can walk the walk to back up the talk. He also knows that is a major challenge.

"There's definitely a lot of competition on the defensive line but at the same time once I get to where I want to be it won't matter who's on the depth chart. I feel like I'll excel over anybody," he said.

"The competition (at defensive end) definitely motivates you. At any given time you can move up on he depth chart and at any given time your spot can be taken, so you've definitely got to stay humble and you've definitely got to stay hungry."

What may help Wells get onto the field this year is his versatility. He has the size to be an effective run stopper yet possesses the speed an athleticism to rush the passer. That means he can fill several different roles, and that should help him get onto the field this year.

"I can play long and rangy and at the same time I can take on run blocks," said Wells.

"I've got my hand in the dirt right now but at any given time I can stand up and play the Leo position that Thaddeus Gibson plays. I can pretty much move around the line. I'm pretty versatile.

"Right now I'm playing with my hand in the dirt but they're experimenting with me at Leo also."

Cont'd ...