Around The Block Flashback: 2009 Interview With Ohio State Running Back Carlos Hyde

By HD Handshoe — BlockONation.com Founder

Back in 2009, I had the pleasure of speaking with then-future Buckeye running back, Carlos Hyde.

For context in case any of the questions or answers don't completely make sense (example: a question was asked regarding how Carlos felt about the upcoming game vs. USC in 2009), Carlos was originally a 2009 recruit, but subsequently spent a year at Fork Union Academy and officially began his career at Ohio State in 2010.

The blog, and Carlos have each come a long way since then, so it seemed like the right time to share this again—enjoy!

First off Carlos, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this today.

No problem.


Let's start off by getting to know a little about you off the field.

OK.


What kind of music do you listen to most?

Rap.


So who is your favorite rapper?

Right now, Young Jeezy.


What's your favorite show(s) on TV?

Anything on ESPN - I watch whatever is showing.


Many people probably don't know it, but you are originally from Ohio near Cincinnati, correct?

Yes.


So when did you move to Florida?

My sophomore year, 2006.


Any idea what you're going to be majoring in at OSU?

No, not sure yet.


Who are YOUR top three running backs of all-time?

Herschel Walker, Beanie Wells, and Adrian Peterson


Three very worthy choices!

Yeah.


I've heard you being compared to P.J. Hill from Wisconsin and Eddie George from OSU. Who do you feel you are most like on the field?

Both Herschel and Beanie.


I definitely hear your stiff-arm compares to Beanie's; I'm looking forward to seeing that!

Yeah, I've got some power in it.


Have you had the chance to meet Beanie?

Yeah, he's cool.


So who at Ohio State was most involved in recruiting you and I'm talking players, coaches, the ball boy...name them all!

Coach Dick Tressel and I've met with (Head) Coach Tressel too.


Were any of your soon-to-be teammates in particular who called you or texted you bugging you to come to OSU before you made your commitment?

No, I really didn't talk to anybody before-hand other than the coaches.


You had a long list of schools lined up for you. What were the main reasons why you chose to come to Ohio State?

Because I've always loved Ohio State. It's the school I always wanted to go to.


Did the OSU losses to Florida and LSU in the BCS title games affect your choice at all and did it make you want to come here and help them win a title?

No, it didn't...I really didn't care. I just wanted to be a part of OSU, whether they won or not.


Well I'm sure you know the crazy Buckeye fans are hungry to see the Bucks win the title again, and I know many of them believe you can be a big part of helping them to do that...

Yeah, I feel I can be a really big part in that!


I know the recruiting sites all listed you as a fullback. What position will you be playing in your efforts to help the Buckeyes win a title, and do you know what number you're going to be wearing yet?

I will be playing running back, not fullback, and yes, I'll be wearing No. 34.


What personal and team goals have you set?

To be the starting running back and to win the BCS Championship!


And of course beating Michigan four times, right?

Yeah, I have family members who are Michigan fans, so I have extra motivation!


Speaking of Michigan, they are obviously rebuilding up there, but it's still Ohio State/Michigan, so what pops into your head when you think about playing them for the first time and in Ann Arbor of all places this year?

First thing I think is "BEAT MICHIGAN" and yeah, I'm very excited for that game and look forward to beating them!


If the NFL comes calling down the road, I'm sure you won't be too upset? OSU has sent a lot of RB's to the NFL. I think you've got a decent shot!

Yeah, I hope so!


Pryor and you could both win Heisman's and help OSU win it all and I hope that happens!

Yeah, me too!


USC will be the second game of your college career and it's a huge game to say the least. Are you pumped, nervous, excited? What are your thoughts?

Yeah, I'm definitely pumped to play them and hopefully show what I can do!


Well, that's all I've got but I just wanna say thanks again so much for your time and I wish you all the best in the coming seasons at OSU and beyond!

OK, Thanks!

---

---

As I go back over the questions and answers and type up this story, I can't help but notice a certain quiet confidence displayed by this young man.

He definitely seems to fit the bill as a Tressel strong-character on and off the field kind of guy. He will transition well as a Buckeye and will no doubt be embraced by the Buckeye faithful.

I would expect that there's a great deal of pressure in potentially being the next great running back in the long line of great running backs Ohio State has produced, and that's exactly what I personally think Carlos Hyde will be and why I wanted to interview him in the first place.

He might just be the next big thing at Ohio State, but you'd hardly know it from talking to him.

The great ones don't feel the pressure or a need to brag. They just perform. It comes naturally, and they're not cocky...just confident.

---

---

@BlockONation


Check Out Other BlockNation Articles - Click Here

2001-2010: Ranking Jim Tressel's 10 Buckeye Teams

In his 10 years at Ohio State, Coach Jim Tressel has compiled an impressive 106-22 win/loss record.

That is an amazing average of 10.6 wins per season, and an astonishing .828 winning percentage.

There have been a few lows along the way, but through it all, the Buckeyes have been one of college footballs best teams over these last 10 years.

Not to say that any of his teams have had the distinction of really being bad, but let's just say perhaps some were better than others.

Here's how each of Tressel's teams from 2001-2010 stack up against one another.


Number 10—2001

In his first season in Columbus, Tress led the Buckeyes to a 7-4 regular season record and a near miss at that then-elusive bowl game win vs. an SEC opponent, barely losing 31-28 to South Carolina to finish the year at 7-5.

The season was a success though when considering the Buckeyes had a winning record, played in a bowl game, and they beat Michigan in Ann Arbor as Tressel had promised they would right after he was hired.


Number 9—2004

The 2004 season was a rebuilding year but it was also still a bit of a disappointment.

You see, 10 win seasons (at least) are not the exception, but have become the rule to most Buckeye fans, so an 8-4 season in year four nearly caused the sky to fall in Columbus as you might imagine.

The Buckeyes uncharacteristically lost four conference games to four teams they historically don't lose to very often—Northwestern, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Purdue.

The season ended better than it was looking it might for a few weeks when the Buckeyes again beat rival Michigan and followed that win up with a victory in the Alamo Bowl over Oklahoma State and then-coach Les Miles, who coincidentally is currently in the running to become Michigan's next coach.


Number 8—2008

The 2008 season had the potential to be one of the best in Ohio State's glorious history. Instead, while it was a good year, it was definitely not the great year that many expected.

In week three, the No. 5 ranked Buckeyes traveled to the L.A. Coliseum to face top ranked USC in "The Game of the Century." Unfortunately, only USC showed up and they routed and embarrassed the Buckeyes, 35-3.

After climbing back into the top 10 with five consecutive wins, the Buckeyes hosted No. 3 Penn State who hadn't won in Ohio Stadium since 1970. It was a defensive battle that was ultimately decided by an ill-timed fumble that led to the game's only touchdown and a 13-6 PSU victory.

The Buckeyes finished the regular season with three straight wins, including another victory over the Wolverines. In return, they received a bid to the Fiesta Bowl to face No. 3 Texas.

That game ended up being very entertaining and it came right down to the wire, but in the end, with a little bad luck, Ohio State lost a 24-21 heart breaker to the Longhorns to finish the year at 10-3.


Number 7—2003

This one was very close. The 2003 team almost earned slot No. 6, but it was edged out by the thinnest of margins by the team you will read about after this.

What made it so tough to put the 2003 team down here instead of one spot higher was the difficult schedule the Buckeyes faced in 2003. Of their 13 opponents, only five were not ranked when the Buckeyes played them.

What ultimately landed the 2003 team here was the fact that they didn't win the Big 10 Conference despite having a solid season, and they lost to Michigan, the team that did win the conference in 2003.

That was salt in the wound to not win the conference and have it be because of a loss to the Wolverines.

As noted however, it was still an extremely good season as the Buckeyes defeated No. 10 Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl to finish off the year at 11-2.


Number 6—2007

In 2007, the Buckeyes were suppose to be one of the favorites to make a run at the BCS title game.

By week eight, they were the No. 1 team in the polls and well on their way.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the BCS title game. No. 1 Oho State lost to unranked Illinois at home, in The Horseshoe, to Ron Zook and his Illini, 28-21.

A week later, the No. 7 Buckeyes somewhat salvaged their season with another victory over Michigan.

After the rest of the teams finished their regular season games and then conference championship games, wouldn't you know it—Somehow, someway, after every team from one to six lost, Ohio State went from No. 7 back up to No. 1 in the final BCS rankings.

Unfortunately, LSU had the same fortune and moved up to No. 2 and the BCS title game, which was to be played in New Orleans, right down the road from Baton Rouge, was set.

The Buckeyes looked sharp early, even taking a 10-0 lead, but they were outgunned down the stretch and finished the season at 11-2 after the 38-24 loss, their ninth bowl loss in nine tries vs. an SEC foe.


Number 5—2009

Once again, the Buckeyes were an early favorite to play for the BCS title, and once again, the season was derailed unexpectedly not once, but twice.

After looking ahead in week one and narrowly escaping Navy, the Buckeyes were looking for sweet revenge against USC and coach Pete Carroll.

With true freshmen QB Matt Barkley taking over for the Trojans, and the Buckeyes hosting USC in The Shoe at night, the stage for redemption was set. A few blown calls and a big dose of Tressel being way too conservative ultimately led to another disappointing defeat by just an 18-15 margin.

They always say, it's better to lose early as it allows a team to recover and climb back up in the rankings. A look at the slate of games remaining gave reason for great optimism and the potential for the Buckeyes to finish 11-1 was very real.

Then came that fateful day in week seven in West Lafayette, Indiana. The Bucks looked out of it all game long. Terrelle Pryor had his worst day as a Buckeye and the seasons' goal was derailed a second time, only this time for good as the Buckeyes lost to lowly Purdue, 26-18.

After that, Tressel went back to good old-fashioned Tressel-ball. Run, run, and run some more—play defense—kick plenty of field goals—and punt fairly often—and it worked.

After winning their final five games and winning the Big 10 title, Ohio State won the Rose Bowl bid and would face PAC-10 champion, Oregon and their high-powered offense.

The Buckeye defense contained Oregon and the offense set a Rose Bowl record in time of possession. In what was dubbed by the media as "Terrelle Pryor's coming-out party", OSU defeated the Ducks 26-17 to finish the season 11-2.


Number 4—2005

The 2005 season almost came in third. The combination of two losses and only playing 11 regular season games are really the only reasons for this. Going forward from here up to No. 1 in these rankings, we'll really be splitting hairs to differentiate the teams.

In week two, Vince Young and No. 2 Texas visited Columbus for one of the biggest games the stadium has ever hosted. The Buckeyes were a Ryan Hamby dropped touchdown pass away from victory over the eventual 2005 National Champion Longhorns, instead suffering a 25-22 defeat.

One month later, the No. 6 Buckeyes found themselves in Happy Valley to face the No. 18 Nittany Lions. In a low-scoring battle, PSU prevailed 17-10, dropping the Buckeyes to 3-2 and all the way down to No. 15 in the polls.

With six consecutive wins, including victories over three ranked teams—Michigan State, Minnesota, and Michigan—the No. 4 Buckeyes were back in business and earned another trip to the desert, this time to face No. 6 Notre Dame.

The outcome was never really in doubt as the Buckeyes dropped the "Fightless" Irish, 34-20 to finish the season at 10-2.


Number 3—2010

Heisman Trophy contender? Check.

Highly ranked veteran team to start the season? Check.

Another BCS title game appearance derailed? Check.

Sure, the Buckeyes did have the preseason Heisman favorite, and the team was ranked No. 2 in the polls to open the season. And yes, they were No. 1 during the season after Alabama lost, until they themselves met the same fate just one week later.

Then there was what became known as Tat-Gate after the regular season was over and a couple of weeks before their bowl game.

But all that said, this team and this season was very special, despite falling short of another BCS title game appearance.

How often do three teams go 12-0 or 13-0 in a season making an 11-1 season not that impressive? Almost never, that's how often.

But winning a share of a sixth consecutive conference title, beating Michigan for the seventh straight time, playing in yet another BCS bowl game, and winning that BCS bowl game against No. 8 Arkansas to finally capture that elusive, first-ever win over an SEC team in a bowl game to finish the year 12-1 all adds up to one of the best seasons under Tressel, or any Buckeye coach for that matter.


Number 2—2006

The 2010 season was a lot like the 2006 season.

Heisman Trophy contender? Check.

Highly ranked veteran team to start the season? Check.

Troy Smith was not the preseason favorite for the Heisman like Pryor, but he was in the running, and the Buckeyes were actually No. 1 in the first poll and remained at No. 1 wire to wire.

They defeated three ranked teams during the regular season, two of which were No. 2 at the time. They finished the regular season 12-0 after what was surely the best Ohio State-Michigan game in the history of the series as No. 1 OSU edged No. 2 Michigan 42-39.

After the season and some controversy over who should be No. 2 and face Ohio State for the BCS title, SEC Champion Florida jumped the Wolverines in the final rankings and faced the Buckeyes in Arizona.

Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, Troy Smith did win the Heisman and he and several other of his teammates lost their focus and determination. They also had to become overconfident after hearing constantly how they couldn't lose and that Florida had no chance.

What ensued was a beatdown of epic proportions. No. 1 Ohio State looked like a high school team on both sides of the ball against the Gators. Florida beat the Buckeyes 41-14.

Ohio State might have been the better team on paper in 2006, but Florida was the better team on the field that night, hands down.


Number 1—2002

In 2002, Ohio State became the second team to win 14 games in a season, and the first to win 14 games in an undefeated season. BYU was 14-1 in 1996.

Over the course of the year including the BCS title game, the Buckeyes faced and beat five top 25 teams. Two of those games were blowouts, while the other three were fairly close as you might expect games between two ranked teams to be.

What was not expected and actually surprising were the three games Ohio State nearly lost against three below average and unranked teams.

Cincinnati almost became the first state school to beat the Buckeyes since Oberlin College did it in 1921. The No. 6 Buckeyes eked out a 23-19 win over the Bearcats to save their season.

A few games later, the No. 4 Buckeyes (7-0) faced unranked Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium. The Buckeyes again escaped, this time with a 19-14 win.

Three weeks later, No. 3 Ohio State (10-0) saw their season slipping away late in the fourth quarter as they trailed Purdue 6-3.

On fourth down and a yard to go as the clock ticked under 1:40, Buckeye QB Craig Krenzel delivered a miracle 37-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins that caused announcer Brent Musberger to exclaim "Holy Buckeye!"


One thing is for sure. The Buckeyes were battle-tested in 2002 and they found ways to win games even in the face of tremendous adversity—something elite teams do.

The season ended with the unbeaten Miami Hurricanes ranked No. 1 and the unbeaten Buckeyes ranked No. 2. Much like the 2006 Gators team, the 2002 Buckeyes constantly heard the experts projecting that OSU had no chance and to expect a big Miami win.

It made sense at least when you considered how chock-full of future NFL pros the Miami roster was stocked with.

Nevertheless, in what most people still consider to be the greatest BCS title game to date, the Buckeyes shocked the college football world and won the 2002 BCS championship 31-24 in a double overtime instant classic.

There was some controversy over a possibly questionable interference call on fourth down against Miami in the first overtime period that allowed the Buckeyes to force a second overtime, but there were calls earlier that went against OSU that would have allowed them to win the game without OT, so it all evened out in the end.


You can see there have been a few games and moments we'd all like to forget, but overall, we really can't complain about where JT has taken the program in his 10 years.

Having won 10 or more games in eight of his 10 seasons is boast worthy. He has made Ohio State football the cream of the crop in the Big 10, and restored it as one of the best programs in the country.

We're looking forward to ranking the next five or 10 years under Coach Tressel if we're so blessed to have him at the helm that long.


Tweet



Click For The Block Nation Front Page

Buckeye Backfield: Will Three Backs Be Better Than One?

by Kyle Strittholt
BlockONation Contributor



Last season there was one Buckeye player that was certainly a problem for opposing defenses, and his name was Chris "Beanie" Wells.

This season would be Beanie's senior season, but he decided to go to the NFL and make his millions.

Without Wells, it is easy to think that the Buckeyes won't be as effective in the running game, but that is not the case for this season.

Dan Herron had a very productive season filling in last year, rushing for 439 yards and six touchdowns.

He was really effective in the Michigan game last season, rushing eight times for 80 yards and galloping to a 49-yard touchdown in the Buckeyes 42-7 victory over their rivals.

In the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Herron had a late, go-ahead touchdown that nearly won the game for Ohio State, if not for the last-minute heroics of Colt McCoy.

It would appear as if he will be the starter this season, and although he isn't Chris Wells, he will cause some problems for opposing defenses.

Wells did not have another player besides Herron to step in and take some heat off him, but Herron now has two other players that will make the Buckeyes' backfield effective.

Not only do they have an athletic quarterback who can run in Terrelle Pryor, but they also have Brandon Saine returning from injury and the young freshman Jaamal Berry who was the Buckeyes' star recruit of the 2009 incoming class.

Brandon Saine has been plagued with minor injuries that have caused him to sit much of the last two seasons, but when he did play, he was a threat in the passing game.

His biggest strength is his catching ability out of the backfield, and he can also line up in the slot if needed. This opens up the potential for a few trick plays here and there.

In 2007, he rushed for 267 yards, and like Herron last season, he was the backup to Wells during his best season in Columbus. He added 160 receiving yards in the '07 season, and he averaged 13 yards a catch.

He has not lived up to the high expectations Buckeye fans had for him as of yet, but this is the year he can show it—It's now or never!

He will not be a backup to one of the best running backs in the nation, so he should get plenty of play-making opportunities.

With the recent news about Carlos Hyde, I don't know if Jaamal Berry will redshirt this season, but it's unlikely and he would certainly be a valuable asset to the backfield.

He is a back that explodes with speed and has power to back it up. He has great vision, toughness, and power. He's essentially a smaller, faster version of Chris Wells.

Will Berry be as good as Wells was ultimately?

Maybe not, but time will tell.

Wells was a very gifted and talented back, and that kind of player is not generally so easily replaced.

The bottom line is that this year in Columbus will mainly be about Terrelle Pryor.

Teams will be focusing on Pryor and how they can hope to contain him. In a weeks time, it will prove difficult for teams to game plan for how Pryor moves in the pocket and around, and down the field.

Then there are the three running backs who all add a unique part to this offense.

I think a key to the Buckeyes' offense is to immediately take advantage of their opponents' lack of familiarity with the new Buckeye backfield.

If they make defenses fear the running backs, it opens up everything for this offense and if Pryor can replicate his Spring game performance passing the ball, watch out!

With Pryor, a preseason Heisman candidate pick by most prognosticators, and three running backs to have to prepare for, and a young, but talented crop of receivers, it will prove to be a great challenge to any and all defenses that will face the 2009 Buckeyes.

This article is also featured on

CLICK HERE to return to the Blog.BlockONation.com Front Page

Buckeye Roll Call: 5 Locks and 11 Sleepers in the 2009 NFL Draft

by HD Handshoe
Founder
BlockONation.com


The 2009 NFL Draft could see as many as sixteen former Ohio State Buckeye players have their names called. Five are no-doubters, three of which are almost certainly guaranteed to be chosen in the 1st round.

After that, it's basically a crap-shoot as to where the chips may fall but I'll offer you my best educated guess as to how it may play out. Keep in mind, these are just guesses!

The most likely Buckeye to hear their name called first on draft day will be S/CB and 2008 Thorpe Award winner, Malcolm Jenkins.

He could break the top 10 with either Cleveland (No. 5 overall) or Green Bay (No. 9 overall), but will certainly be gone to New Orleans (No. 14 overall) if he drops down to them.

Next should be RB Chris 'Beanie' Wells. Teams that may show some interest in Wells are Cleveland (No. 5 overall), Jacksonville (No. 8 overall), Denver (No. 12 overall), New England (No. 23 overall), Philadelphia (No. 21 and No. 28 overall) and Arizona (No. 31 overall).

Linebacker James Laurinaitis will be the third, and likely last Buckeye to be picked in the first round. James was thought to be a top 10 pick had he entered the 2008 draft and he certainly did nothing to lessen his draft status, but based on team needs in this draft, he'll most likely be picked in the latter half of the first round.

Teams possibly considering Laurinaitis may include Green Bay (No. 9 overall), Denver (No. 12 overall), Chicago (No. 18 overall), New England (No. 23 overall), Miami (No. 25 overall) and New York Giants (No. 29 overall).

Wide receiver Brian Robiskie leads the list of Buckeyes who could find a new NFL home in round two. After an impressive workout at the NFL combine, he moved closer to the late first round, but won't quite make it that high. Teams interested in the 2nd could include Cleveland, St. Louis, Cincinnati, NY Giants, NY Jets, Indianapolis and Dallas.

Linebacker Marcus Freeman, CB Donald Washington, and WR Brian Hartline could also get some consideration in the 2nd round although I could see Freeman and Washington each going as low as the third or fourth and Hartline going anywhere from the third to the seventh round.

The best of the rest who may steal a spot in the draft (but could just as easily go undrafted) include DT Nadar Abdallah, QB Todd Boeckman, OL Alex Boone (especially given his recent off the field troubles.), OL Steve Rehring, TE Rory Nicol and PK Ryan Pretorius.

Running back Mo Wells, S Jamario O'Neal, and P A.J. Trapasso are probably on the outside looking during the draft, but may get looks as undrafted rookie free agents.

Whether they are drafted or not, I suspect all of these former Buckeyes will have a shot to make it.

The Buckeyes may have had recent struggles winning BCS bowl games, but one thing they haven't dropped off in is sending players to the pros.

2009 should be no exception!

CLICK HERE to return to the Blog.BlockONation.com Front Page