Five Deep—A Closer Look at Ohio State's 2015 Running Backs

By HD Handshoe—BlockONation Founder

Image courtesy of Taylor Wilhelm

A lot has been made — and rightfully so — of the unique position Ohio State finds itself in this coming season, with essentially three starting quarterbacks returning, but that's a discussion to save for later this fall.

While what happens this coming season at quarterback is about as clear as mud right now, the running back hierarchy should be a lot less cloudy.

Despite having off-season wrist surgery, certain 2015 Heisman Trophy candidate Ezekiel Elliott sits atop a heap of young and talented backs.

Running back coach Stan Drayton left the Buckeyes and took a job with the Chicago Bears in February causing some speculation that the production of Elliott and company could tail off without him.

Drayton was instrumental in developing the Buckeye's potent rushing attack during his three years in Columbus.

He also played a huge role in the recruitment of highly-touted running back Mike Weber, who signed with the Buckeyes just one day before Drayton's departure. Initially, Weber seemed to react somewhat negatively on Twitter but in the end was happy with Drayton's replacement.

Ohio State hired former Notre Dame running backs coach Tony Alford, whom many consider a very ample replacement and possibly even an upgrade.

Truthfully with each of their exceptional running abilities, I could go Eight Deep with this article or list Braxton Miller, JT Barrett and Cardale Jones at 3, 4, and 5 on the RB depth chart.

That's how great Ohio State is at running the ball, but since the QBs aren't RBs, I'll shelve that thought for the sake of this article.

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How I see them stacking up

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5. Mike Weber — 4-star incoming freshman that could potentially challenge Ball and/or Dunn for the backup to the backup spot. If my memory serves me correctly, being the 3rd man up wasn't a bad thing last season,...not at all...

4. Warren Ball Jr. 2014 Stats — 18 carries, 88 yards, 4.7 yards per carry.

3. Brionte Dunn 2014 Stats — 9 carries, 63 yards, 7.0 yards per carry.

2. Curtis Samuel 2014 Stats — 58 carries, 383 yards, 6.6 yards per carry, 6 rushing touchdowns and 11 receptions for 95 yards.

1. Ezekiel Elliott 2014 Stats — 273 carries, 1,878 yards, 6.9 yards per carry, 18 rushing touchdowns and 28 receptions for 220 yards.

We may know a little more about where the RB chips will fall under Elliott once Spring football concludes on Saturday, April 18th.

Than again, there could still be some jockeying behind Elliott and Samuel through the end of August and right up to kickoff in Blacksburg against Virginia Tech on Monday September 7th.

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Urban Meyer Landing Some Big Fish In The Ohio State Recruiting Net

by Nick Weaver - BlockONation Contributor


Urban Meyer is doing what he does best — setting fire to the recruiting trail.

A great movie phrase comes to mind here -- “If you build it they will come”.

Urban has built a great reputation with Florida and it has carried over to tOSU. I have to insert my props to Coach Tressel for building a super foundation that Urban can just step in and run with.

I know what you are thinking, what about Luke? I know many think he did a good job, but me, I am not so sure.

I believe with the structure that was set up anyone could have went 6-6 with this Buckeye team. Let me get back on point, however. Urban has swooped in and made an impact in recruiting in just a couple weeks.

Meyer has been robbing the cradles of the other power house B1G teams.

With the verbals received from Tommy Schutt and Se'von Pittman (pictured at left), both Penn State and Michigan State have already felt the intoxicating effects of Urban, while Wisconsin is next up to get robbed. I can't wait to hear Biliema's remarks afterwards.

Running back Bri'onte Dunn realized his future will be better at Ohio State instead of going up north to scUm, and reassured the Buckeye Nation that he is 150% Buckeye!

Meyer has been able to do all that along with staying in tune with the fight going on over the baby bearing Urban as his middle name in Florida. Urban has developed a simple pitch that he tells the recruits -- “Not a Big Ten championship, not a national championship, but multiple championships”.

I really believe there are several top-notch guys yet to change their allegiances out of the top 150. Urban has now locked in his coordinators and the two-week Christmas break could see a couple other Christmas presents under the tree for Buckeye fans.

The Meyer camp has already started to turn down WRs because the team is practically overloaded at the position -- Urban recently added a couple of height and speed guys to our already fast receiving core.

While many complain that it is unfair for tOSU to have two separate coaching staffs, I say rubbish! It's an NCAA rule that many other schools have been granted use of.

Over a few thousand dollars in tattoos, the NCAA launched an investigation that has almost totaled one-million dollars (in my Austin powers voice) in costs.

I didn’t hear those critics feeling sorry for OSU during the season, amazingly enough. I can’t imagine the bill to investigate the “U” when that gets going.

The way I see it, the NCAA owes Ohio State this much, seeing as how they came in and took our lunch and ate it right in front of us, i.e. Hall, Howard, Herron, and especially Posey (excessive) suspensions.

I know everyone is as excited as I am to see what will happen the next couple months right up until NSD in February. I have already talked to many folks that wish it were Spring, 2012 NOW!

It can't get here soon enough.

Follow Nick on Twitter @nick_weav

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Despite Distractions/Tattoos/Doomsday Predictions, OSU's 2012 Class Shaping Up Nicely

National Signing Day 2012 is over 7 months away, meaning a lot can still happen in terms of which prospects commit to or decommit from Ohio State in the coming months, but don't expect the worst, because it's not going to happen.

Regardless of where the OSU 2012 class ends up in the national rankings, the cupboards are far from bare in Columbus.

The Buckeyes have brought in a top 5 class in 3 of the last 4 years and have had a top 25 class every year since 2002 -- a trend that will likely live on when the dust settles next February.

5-star Lineman Kyle Kalis (6-5, 305), Ohio's top-rated player in the 2012 class recently retracted his verbal commitment to tOSU but is still considering the Buckeyes.

Personally, I believe he will ultimately become a Buckeye, but if he does go elsewhere, he's just one guy, and it's not like he's a QB, RB, or WR -- he's an offensive lineman -- a position that Ohio State isn't in dire need of filling at the moment.

Before Kalis decided to look at other programs, 4-star LB Ejaun Price (5-11, 230), a member of the 2011 class for the Buckeyes asked to be released from his LOI. His release was granted and he will be playing football for Pitt instead.

Again, Price is a good player, but not a skill position game-changer. Not to mention, Ohio State always has stud linebackers on the roster, so alas, the Buckeyes will be fine moving forward without him.

While Kalis is on the fence, the other 9 talented players should all be considered moderate to solid verbal commits that are still heading to Columbus in 2012. Here are video highlights of each.


5-Star RB Brionte Dunn (6-1, 215)
Glen Oak HS (Canton, OH)




4-Star RB Warren Ball (6-2, 200)
St Francis Desales HS (Columbus, OH)




4-Star LB/WR Joshua Perry (6-3, 225)
Olentangy HS (Lewis Center, OH)




4-Star S Devan Bogard (6-1, 175)
Glenville HS (Cleveland, OH)




3-Star TE Blake Thomas (6-4, 225)
St Ignatius HS (Cleveland, OH)




3-Star WR/ATH Frank Epitropoulos (6-3, 195)
Upper Arlington HS (Upper Arlington, OH)




3-Star OL Jacoby Boren (6-2, 275)
Pickerington HS (Pickerington, OH)




3-Star S Tyvis Powell (6-3, 180)
Bedford HS (Bedford, OH)




3-Star CB Najee Murray (5-11, 175)
Steubenville HS (Steubenville, OH)




All 9 guys are from Ohio and 5 of them are "only" 3-Star prospects. Critics like to allude to those facts as a sign of some impending apocalypse.

Ever heard of AJ Hawk, Santonio Holmes, or James Laurinaitus? They too were also once considered "lowly" 3-Star recruits. For the record, I love the Epitropoulos kid. He is VASTLY underrated IMO.

As for none of these recruits being from out of state -- This really shouldn't have to be pointed out to anyone, but apparently it needs to be said, so in closing:

OHIO IS ONE OF THE MOST FERTILE GROUNDS IN THE ENTIRE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL AND FUTURE D-I COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS, SO HAVING A CLASS FULL OF OHIO-GROWN PLAYERS IS NOT A BAD DEAL...


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