KY RB Damien Harris (Alabama Verbal)

[pnuts34]

Samuel is pretty well put together and he can defintely be the the primary running back in the offense. Up until his injury Elliot and Samuel had same amount of carries through 3 games. That speaks volumes about his work ethic and his top end speed. Jamal Charles and Lesean MCcoy weren't big backs but carried the work load. What helps Samuel is that he should avoid a lot of the big hits that a bruiser would take. All talk about Samuel aside, Harris is the answer we need for our 3rd and short situations. Landing Harris would give us the perfect storm at RB in the nation with potentially the most complete RB in Elliot, best speed back in Samuel and best power back in Harris. I mean looking across the nation there aren't a whole lot of RBs that are better than the 3 of those guys (Gurley, Gordon and Yeldon). It's crazy to think that we are one of only 11 teams yet to break off a 30 yd run or more. I've been waiting to see Samuel in the open field because I think he's the fastest Buckeye. Harris would be in the mix right away because he's already college ready.

Based on what, do you think Harris is college ready already? He's played suspect competition, with I'm sure a very simplified playbook. I would love to get him in our class, but you might need to pump the brakes if you think based off of HS highlights that he's ready for the college game. Samuel is seeing right now how much of a step up college is compared to HS

 

[jwinslow]

You're talking about OSU not having a goal line RB threat like Brionte Dunn has been left for dead. We haven't had enough time to get him carries but coaches raved about him in camp, and he could easily take up Rod Smiths goal line role. And its funny that one (marvelous) year with Hyde as a workhorse RB skews so many peoples thoughts of this offense. From day 1, Herman and Meyer said they want to spread the ball out and move down field on mismatches. Carlos Hyde came along at the right time, when our offense had no identity and we were just run, run, Carlos, ask Braxton to make something happen with his legs or launch a prayer down field. This years offense is what Herman and Meyer wanted, IMO. And it shows we don't need a workhorse, as well use a stable of RBs depending on the situation. And EzE is the main RB weapon, with Rod as goal line and short yardage and Samuel a change of pace. Harris' role in this offense is TBD as he's not a member of the team. We can't state what it'd be playing sub par competition in KY. Rod Smith was supposed to come in here and be a do it all back, and had to find a niche, Hyde was the only RB able to do everything, and very few have as much talent, and there's nothing wrong with that. But Harris, IMO wouldn't be a workhorse here, he'd be a weapon and the staff would figure out what type of weapon once he got to campus. And the fact that the staff is still having Weber come in for a visit and has even offered another RB, shows that they're quite comfortable pursuing other RBs.

They want to pound the rock down the middle first and foremost. What they don't want to do is pound the rock inside relentlessly because they lack the weapons to stretch them laterally (H-backs) and vertically (WRs). Now they have plenty of H-back talent and are getting closer at WR.

 

[Wham]

We don't

You're talking about OSU not having a goal line RB threat like Brionte Dunn has been left for dead. We haven't had enough time to get him carries but coaches raved about him in camp, and he could easily take up Rod Smiths goal line role. And its funny that one (marvelous) year with Hyde as a workhorse RB skews so many peoples thoughts of this offense. From day 1, Herman and Meyer said they want to spread the ball out and move down field on mismatches. Carlos Hyde came along at the right time, when our offense had no identity and we were just run, run, Carlos, ask Braxton to make something happen with his legs or launch a prayer down field. This years offense is what Herman and Meyer wanted, IMO. And it shows we don't need a workhorse, as well use a stable of RBs depending on the situation. And EzE is the main RB weapon, with Rod as goal line and short yardage and Samuel a change of pace. Harris' role in this offense is TBD as he's not a member of the team. We can't state what it'd be playing sub par competition in KY. Rod Smith was supposed to come in here and be a do it all back, and had to find a niche, Hyde was the only RB able to do everything, and very few have as much talent, and there's nothing wrong with that. But Harris, IMO wouldn't be a workhorse here, he'd be a weapon and the staff would figure out what type of weapon once he got to campus. And the fact that the staff is still having Weber come in for a visit and has even offered another RB, shows that they're quite comfortable pursuing other RBs.

we don't need a workhorse? Wait till we play msu, and then we can talk again.

 

[TooTall]

we don't need a workhorse? Wait till we play msu, and then we can talk again.

I think we have a workhorse in EZE. He's just a soph, and he's already showing he can take quite the work load and succeed. It seems he prefers to run between the tackles, he's just a little more elusive than your prototypical smash-mouth workhorse back. Which I'm perfectly fine with that.

 

[Wham]

I think we have a workhorse in EZE. He's just a soph, and he's already showing he can take quite the work load and succeed. It seems he prefers to run between the tackles, he's just a little more elusive than your prototypical smash-mouth workhorse back. Which I'm perfectly fine with that.

I love elliot and he is slowly becoming a great one. I dont expect to have him two more years though, especially if he remains healthy.

 

[buckeyeintn]

Could at least some of the posts reference Harris and not just a general tOSU RB discussion?

 

[buckeye4ever21]

Based on what, do you think Harris is college ready already? He's played suspect competition, with I'm sure a very simplified playbook. I would love to get him in our class, but you might need to pump the brakes if you think based off of HS highlights that he's ready for the college game. Samuel is seeing right now how much of a step up college is compared to HS

Dude chill out! His talent stands out regardless of if he plays in Florida or North Dakota. It's not where you it's about your skill set that you show through camps, games, vision, 40 time, shuttle and various other things. Harris is ready size and speed wise and fits a mold we don't have here. Dunn isn't Hyde and he has yet to make a dent in the rotation right now.

 

[pnuts34]

Dude chill out! His talent stands out regardless of if he plays in Florida or North Dakota. It's not where you it's about your skill set that you show through camps, games, vision, 40 time, shuttle and various other things. Harris is ready size and speed wise and fits a mold we don't have here. Dunn isn't Hyde and he has yet to make a dent in the rotation right now.

I thought I was quite chill. I was just asking questions. HS is entirely different than college (as I'm sure you know) as far as competition. Hyde took a few years to become the Hyde we saw last year. A lot of factors go into if a kid is ready more than size and speed. Smith also had tremendous size and speed coming out of HS, and it took him 5yrs to make a dent in the rotation. we don't know how well Harris can block, catch passes or comprehend a playbook whicj are all things camps and scenarios you provided don't show. We would only know that once a kid is on campus. True we don't seem to have a player like him, but our staff has shown that they can mold an offense around skillb players.

 

[buckeye4ever21]

Smith still really isn't making a dent in the rotation and only still gets a few touches per game. He's a big back but still runs to light on his feet to be a great power back, which is why he hasn't really materialized. He doesn't run with a chip on his shoulder. This years team should give you hope for freshmen who are physically ready and the fact that they are making an impact. He has the skill set to contribute in an area where we really don't have a nationally elite short yardage power back. I made a post in his forum because I feel like his probably the only guy who could come in contribute something. I'm not saying he's going to jump to the number one back, he could jump in through hard work and earn 2-4 short yardage carries per game. It would just add another facet and his role could grow or diminish based upon results.

 

[pnuts34]

Smith still really isn't making a dent in the rotation and only still gets a few touches per game. He's a big back but still runs to light on his feet to be a great power back, which is why he hasn't really materialized. He doesn't run with a chip on his shoulder. This years team should give you hope for freshmen who are physically ready and the fact that they are making an impact. He has the skill set to contribute in an area where we really don't have a nationally elite short yardage power back. I made a post in his forum because I feel like his probably the only guy who could come in contribute something. I'm not saying he's going to jump to the number one back, he could jump in through hard work and earn 2-4 short yardage carries per game. It would just add another facet and his role could grow or diminish based upon results.

And youre making my point for me, that's why I keep referencing Smith. He also was a highly touted RB coming out of HS and it took him his entire collegiate career to get significant PT. Nothing Harris has done in HS says he'd do otherwise. A HS kid is not further along than kids akready in college in a college S&C program. Not even close. Only if Harris graduates and enrolls early could I see him contributing in the 2-3 deep as a true frosh. if Harris were to become a Buckeye and not enroll until thw summer, he's facing a huge uphill battle. Next year will see the return of EzE, Samuel, Dunn and Ball. And multiple guys at the Pivot/hybrid spot that will also see carries and not to mention QBs. Harris has to have a number of intangibles down that you keep failing to mention. Just having size and speed doesn't mean that youll be successful past HS. If Harris can't block, he won't see much PT, if he can't catch out the backfield he won't see much PT in our offense. How do we know he has such a unique skill set when he hasn't set foot on a college field? When youre bigger and faster than almost all your competition, it's easy to say you have a unique skill set. I think Harris could be a part of the rotation, but it'll certainly be a battle against Dunn for that last spot as the goAl line RB. And its difficult to gp against the guy who's already been in yhe offense for a few years and knows what the coaches are looking for

 

[sepia5]

LSU 41, UK 3

That is the score of inevitability, Mr. Harris.

 

[tsteele316]

LSU 41, UK 3

That is the score of inevitability, Mr. Harris.

Next 3 for UK, msst, @mizz, uga.

Stock up on the good lube kitties.

 

[UpNorth_Buckeye]

LSU 41, UK 3

That is the score of inevitability, Mr. Harris.

71 yards rushing on 27 attempts. Solid.

 

[buckeye4ever21]

And youre making my point for me, that's why I keep referencing Smith. He also was a highly touted RB coming out of HS and it took him his entire collegiate career to get significant PT. Nothing Harris has done in HS says he'd do otherwise. A HS kid is not further along than kids akready in college in a college S&C program. Not even close. Only if Harris graduates and enrolls early could I see him contributing in the 2-3 deep as a true frosh. if Harris were to become a Buckeye and not enroll until thw summer, he's facing a huge uphill battle. Next year will see the return of EzE, Samuel, Dunn and Ball. And multiple guys at the Pivot/hybrid spot that will also see carries and not to mention QBs. Harris has to have a number of intangibles down that you keep failing to mention. Just having size and speed doesn't mean that youll be successful past HS. If Harris can't block, he won't see much PT, if he can't catch out the backfield he won't see much PT in our offense. How do we know he has such a unique skill set when he hasn't set foot on a college field? When youre bigger and faster than almost all your competition, it's easy to say you have a unique skill set. I think Harris could be a part of the rotation, but it'll certainly be a battle against Dunn for that last spot as the goAl line RB. And its difficult to gp against the guy who's already been in yhe offense for a few years and knows what the coaches are looking for

You've done nothing to make your point for a reason to keep a #1 rated back off the field. Meyer has said himself if a guy is talented enough to play there's no reason to keep them from playing. Yes there are tons of factors that go into seeing the field at and every schools situation is different. But looking at rivals 2014 RB list without going through it name by name, 5 of the top 15 RBs from last year are getting significant carries and i'm sure that number would go up if I looked even deeper at it. We also aren't the same type of team as when Smith came in, we rotate a lot of players in the mix offensively because of the diversity of our players skill sets.

 

[pnuts34]

Next 3 for UK, msst, @mizz, uga.

Stock up on the good lube kitties.

And a final 2gms of Tenn and Louisville is nothing to sneeze at for them either