DE Mitchell Melton (Official Thread)

[brodybuck21]

 

[brodybuck21]

• “Mitch has grown a lot at the defensive end position ... Mitch is very smart, very level-headed.” Added that it will be a matter of ensuring his tools aren’t lessened by playing the “Jack.”

 

[ScriptOhio]

Ohio State Defensive End Mitchell Melton Standing Out in Spring Practice, Aiming to Stack Healthy Seasons for First Time

Aiming to stack healthy seasons together for the first time in his career, Mitchell Melton is making some noise at defensive end this spring.

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OHIO STATE DEFENSIVE END MITCHELL MELTON STANDING OUT IN SPRING PRACTICE, AIMING TO STACK HEALTHY SEASONS FOR FIRST TIME​

Blocking Mitchell Melton at Student Appreciation Day 10 days ago looked like a waking nightmare for Ohio State’s offensive tackles.

The fifth-year senior backup defensive end invaded the backfield constantly, putting pressure on quarterbacks, grabbing a sack or two and blowing up plays.

“I think for a majority of the spring I’ve been feeling more confident in my abilities,” Melton said. “Even with everything that’s happened in the past, I still think I have a lot to give and a lot to give to this program.”

A lot has certainly happened to Melton in his first four years with the Buckeyes. Specifically on the injury front.

The 2024 season offers his first chance to string healthy seasons together. In 2021, Melton tore his left ACL in spring practice. After a season of rehab, Melton tore his right ACL in the 2022 spring game.

But off a year without major injuries, he’s starting to play his way into a serious rotational role behind Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau off the edge.

“You’ve seen Mitchell Melton get in the backfield as a rush end,” Ryan Day said after the Student Appreciation Day practice. “He got a couple sacks, I think, today. We’re looking for three guys at each position because all those guys are gonna play. We’re gonna roll it this year because we know it’s gonna be a long season.”

Robbed of two seasons by ACL tears and playing just one game in his COVID-19-ravaged freshman season in 2020, Melton felt like a first-year all over again in 2023.

“I feel like last year was my freshman year, kind of, just getting my feet under myself, figuring out how to play college football again,” Melton said. “Now I feel more renewed than ever and, I think, more comfortable in the position I’m playing now. I’m playing end. Got a lot of extra work with the guys and Coach (Larry Johnson) off the field, so it’s definitely helped me get into a more comfortable spot on the field.”
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