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2008 tOSU Running Backs discussion (official thread)

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BB73

BB73

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Bookie
'16 & '17 Upset Contest Winner
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)
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Actually I'm very interested in how Saine Herron and Mo Wells will be used.

I'd think Mo will be in on some passing situations to block and to run some Screens. Saine I'd like to see in the backfield at the same time as Beanie simply to add a dimension of counters and fakes much like Arkansas last year. Herron I expect to get 2-3 carries a game enough to get some experience and a rest to the backs ahead of him. Either way we have some sick depth this year with many different styles and[puts on ScarletGlasses]guys that would be top dogs in some other programs that are in our 2-3-4 spots[takes off ScarletGlasses]:biggrin:

:osu:
 
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And ya never know...Thomas might be too dangerous to keep off the field at RB, though I do think he will primarily play slot. We are going to have a crazy-good running attack.
 
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CFN Unit rankings.

1. Clemson (Spiller and Davis)
2. tOSU
3. Wiscy
6. USC
10. Mish St.
12. NW'ern
13. TSUN
90. Illinois

cfn

1. Clemson
Folks in places, such as Los Angeles, College Station and Miami may believe otherwise, but no one in the country has a better backfield tandem than Clemson. The front man for is senior James Davis, who returned to school after strongly considering early entry into the NFL Draft. In three productive seasons, the All-ACC first teamer has rushed for 3,130 yards and 36 touchdowns. Davis' partner in the backfield will again be junior C.J. Spiller, the homerun hitter of the ground game and the Tigers' leader in all-purpose yards. At 5-11 and 190 pounds, he?s lethal with a combination of blazing speed and shake-and-bake moves. The only possible shortcoming is that Spiller will join Davis and be off to the NFL after this year, which can sometimes mess with the focus of young athletes in November and December. It?s a reach, but there isn't much these guys do poorly.

2. Ohio State
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-1]Beanie [/SIZE][/FONT]Wells is a superstar, No. 1 overall pick type of back who can carry the Ohio State offense on his back. And he has help. Maurice Wells is a quick runner who can be a good third down back or can be the featured runner from time to time. The star in the making is Brandon Saine, the 217-pound speedster who has good power and jaw-dropping moves. This backfield is deep, fast, big and very, very talented. Both of the Wells can tear off big runs, and Saine has the speed to become one of the Big Ten's most dangerous backs. All they'll need is a little bit of room and they're gone. It doesn't hurt that the three combine to average around 215 pounds.

Cont'd ...
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Dispatch

'Beanie' Wells leads talented OSU foursome at running back
Mo Wells, Herron, Saine give Buckeyes depth at key position
Saturday, August 23, 2008 3:19 AM
By Tim May


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Beanie_Wellssp_0823_08-23-08_C3_SCB46BR.jpg
RENEE SAUER dispatch
Chris "Beanie" Wells rushed for 1,609 yards as a sophomore and enters the season as a contender for the Heisman Trophy.




It would be hyperbole to the third power to call the current stable of Ohio State running backs the second coming of the Four Horsemen, but give the group some time, Chris "Beanie" Wells said yesterday.
"It's incredible."
For now, just call them Wells and Mo Wells, Boom and Zoom.
It's understood that Beanie Wells is the leader. He did, after all, rush for more yards (1,609) than any other sophomore at a school that produced Heisman Trophy winners Archie Griffin and Eddie George. It's no surprise, then, that Wells is a Heisman contender this year.
Backing him up is Maurice "Mo" Wells, a senior considered to be a big brother-type leader in the locker room. And behind them are freshman Daniel "Boom" Herron, the most talked-about nonplaying member of last season's team, and sophomore Brandon "Zoom" Saine, who played some last season and has been hampered by a slight hamstring pull this preseason.

Continued.......
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