Ohio State's Post-Camp Two-Deep Depth Chart Projections

By HD Handshoe — BlockONation.com Founder

I would expect coach Meyer's official Buckeye depth chart to be released by early to mid-week, but why wait until then to quench our thirst?



There's nothing wrong with throwing out our best (somewhat?) edumacated guess as to how the chips will fall this week, so here goes nothing.

(Note: These projections exclude any currently injured or suspended player(s) and are subject to change upon their respective return(s) to the team.)

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Quarterback

1st team: Braxton Miller
2nd team: Kenny Guiton

Running Back

1st team: Carlos Hyde

2nd team: Rod Smith or Bri'onte Dunn

Fullback

1st team: Zach Boren

2nd team: Adam Homan

Wide Receivers (3-wide)

1st team: Philly Brown, Jake Stoneburner, Devin Smith

2nd team: Evan Spencer, Michael Thomas, Tyrone Williams or Verlon Reed

Tight End

1st team: Nick Vannett

2nd team: Jeff Heuerman

Offensive Line

1st team: Reid Fragel or Taylor Decker, Marcus Hall, Corey Linsley, Andrew Norwell, Jack Mewhort

2nd team: Taylor Decker or Reid Fragel, Antonio Underwood, Jacoby Boren, Tommy Brown, Daryl Baldwin

Defensive Line

1st team: John Simon, Jonathan Hankins, Garrett Goebel, Michael Bennett

2nd team: Steve Miller, JT Moore, Chris Carter, Noah Spence

Linebackers

1st team: Etienne Sabino, Curtis Grant, Ryan Shazier

2nd team: Stewart Smith, Luke Roberts or David Perkins, Connor Crowell or Jamal Marcus

Cornerback

1st team: Bradley Roby, Travis Howard or Doran Grant

2nd team: Doran Grant or Travis Howard, Adam Griffin

Safety

1st team: Christian Bryant, CJ Barnett

2nd team: Orhian Johnson, Devan Bogard

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It's very likely that there will be a few swings and misses in my projections, but I feel pretty confident with most of them, and if nothing else, it provides us all with a topic of debate for the next few days.

— HD

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@BlockONation


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Rise And Shine—Two Players Who Increased Their Stock During Ohio State's Fall Camp

By HD Handshoe — BlockONation.com Founder

In less than two weeks—12 days, to be exact—the Ohio State Buckeyes and first-year head coach Urban Meyer and his hand-selected Dream Team coaching staff will take the field to kickoff the highly-anticipated 2012 football season.

It seems Meyer came in already excited and impressed by some players, such as Braxton Miller, Devin Smith and John Simon, but a few others whose long-term futures as Buckeyes weren't always so clear have since also caught his attention in a positive way during camp.

If you've been watching ESPN's All-Access: Ohio State Football, you may have noticed a few of these previously under-the-radar, or in-the-doghouse players who have done a 180 and made a positive impression on Meyer and his staff.

For me, there are two guys who are the epitome of this. The first is sophomore receiver Tyrone (formerly T.Y.) Williams.

At 6-6, 230, Williams is literally a huge target. Physically, he has undoubtedly been blessed with the "tools" of the trade. The problem for Williams has been the mental part of the game. It's hard going from the superstar WR in HS to a backup (at least up until now) in college.

In limited action last year, Williams seemed to buckle under the pressure rather than rise to the occasion. If you play receiver and you drop more balls than you catch, the odds are stacked against you when it comes to seeing the field.


Frustrated by his lack of playing time, Williams posted a tweet questioning the teams' lack of appreciation and/or commitment to him. I remember it saying something to the effect of, "If they don't want a 6-6 receiver here, maybe I need to go somewhere they do want me..."

That's me paraphrasing from my memory and not an exact quote by any means, but you get the gist. Williams was unhappy and when Urban Meyer was hired last November, I thought for sure he was a goner.

He seems to be a new man these days under Meyer. Perhaps he is going to return to being the star player he was at Shaw HS just a few short years ago. That would be a win-win for both Williams and Ohio State.

I am not exaggerating when I say he was a fantastic HS player, and him landing a scholarship with Ohio State was no accident.

See for yourself.



Sophomore quarterback Braxton Miller could very-well-be the 2012 Big Ten Offensive POY or at the very least, a strong contender as he comes into his own this season.

Knowing that, and with coach Meyer looking for playmakers at wide receiver to WOW him, Williams' time to step up and make a positive impact on this team and to forever change the course of his (previously?) fledgling Buckeye career is right now.

Just in case you haven't been watching, here's a clip from the Ohio State Training Days series. You've been missing out!



The other player who has really stood out over the last two weeks is junior tailback Carlos Hyde. As far as being under-the-radar or in-the-doghouse, Hyde was a little of both. Regardless, I've personally been a fan of Hyde's since his commitment and BlockONation.com interview back in 2009.

Last season, then-sophomore Hyde showed that he has the potential to be a very dependable and capable running back, despite being Jordan Hall's backup.

He wasn't always utilized as often as many Buckeye fans (myself included) wanted him to be and it may have had something to do with his work ethic and attitude. His playing time diminished even further when senior Dan Herron came off of suspension.

At one point during the 2011 season, he too posted a tweet that reflected a broken man who was considering giving up.

Maybe it was a bad attitude, or laziness, or something else all-together that cost Hyde carries and had him pondering—however so briefly—the end to his his time as a Buckeye, but those days seem to be well behind Hyde on the eve of the 2012 campaign.

With Hall still at least 4-6 weeks away from a full recovery after undergoing off-season foot surgery, Hyde is the No. 1 back right now, and regardless of when Hall returns, Hyde can solidify his standing as such if the effort he has displayed in camp continues through the first month or so of the season.

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@BlockONation


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Ohio State Football Camp "All-Access" Specials Set To Air On ESPNU And ESPN

By HD Handshoe — BlockONation.com Founder

Most football fans are familiar with Hard Knocks, the yearly HBO behind-the-scenes reality show that features one chosen NFL team and a raw, unedited look at that teams training camp.

Past seasons of the HBO series have featured the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and the New York Jets. Well, move over Hard Knocks...

According to ESPN.com's Recruiting Nation, ESPNU and ESPN will air several fall camp specials featuring the Buckeyes and first year head coach, and former ESPN college football analyst, Urban Meyer.

This isn't the first time the mothership is featuring one of college football's all-time elite football programs. Last year, ESPN aired several Oklahoma Sooners all-access specials.

Admittedly, I didn't watch very much of last years all-access series (I'm guessing neither did many other Buckeye fans), but even the most anti-ESPN Buckeye fan will almost undoubtedly set aside their bitterness towards ESPN for a few days to watch this showcasing of Ohio State football.

Below is the entire press release, including episode air-dates and times.


Ohio State fans will get a close-up on the 2012 football season with new head coach Urban Meyer when ESPN debuts a series of All-Access specials beginning August 14 on ESPNU and additional ESPN platforms.

ESPN All-Access: Ohio State Training Days will showcase the Buckeyes as they train under Ohio native (Ashtabula, Ohio) Meyer who has returned from a coaching hiatus to lead the team.

With extensive behind-the-scenes access to on- and off-field play, team meetings and campus facilities, ESPN cameras will introduce players and coaches as they complete grueling pre-season training across six days.

Viewers will see four, 30-minute specials on ESPNU (August 14-17), a five-part series across College Football Live Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods and SportsCenter (August 19-24), and a one-hour special on ESPN (August 22).

Lee Fitting, ESPN senior coordinating producer, said, "Anytime we can provide behind-the-scenes access inside one of the traditional power programs, it’s a treat for the viewers and the fans. Urban Meyer’s success at Florida and the unique story lines surrounding the Ohio State program will add to the intrigue of this series."

Tue, Aug. 14 5 p.m. ESPN All-Access: Ohio State Training Days ESPNU

Wed, Aug. 15 5 p.m. ESPN All-Access: Ohio State Training Days ESPNU

Thu, Aug. 16 5 p.m. ESPN All-Access: Ohio State Training Days ESPNU

Fri, Aug. 17 5 p.m. ESPN All-Access: Ohio State Training Days ESPNU

Sun, Aug. 19 4:30 or 11 p.m. SportsCenter                     ESPN

Mon, Aug. 20 3:30 p.m. College Football Live                  ESPNU

Tue, Aug. 21 3:30 p.m. College Football Live                  ESPN

Wed, Aug. 22 3:30 p.m. College Football Live                  ESPN

Wed, Aug. 22 7 p.m. ESPN All-Access: Ohio State Training Days ESPN

Thu, Aug. 23 3:30 p.m. College Football Live                  ESPN

Fri, Aug. 24 3:30 p.m. College Football Live                  ESPN

ESPN might not always be Buckeye-Football-friendly, but they aren't all dummies (or haters...cough, Mark May, cough...Ohio State 72, Pitt 0, cough...) up there in Bristol.

This decision was a no-brainer—Featuring Ohio State football will equal big ratings, and big ratings equal big money.

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Ohio State Players Arrive for 2010 Fall Camp: The Journey and High Expectations Begin...

Today was arrival day for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team at the University Plaza Hotel.

Check-in was followed by a day of team meetings at the Woody Hayes athletic center.

In case you're interested, pictures of a large majority of the players showing up at the hotel can be seen over at www.TheOzone.net.

I'll keep everyone posted as I am working on hopefully getting a few post-camp interviews set up.

Check back for more updates and links to new pics from camp as they become available.

Only 27 more days...

GO BUCKS!


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Ohio State Fall Camp Days—Players Say Camp Tougher, but Better

Posted by HD Handshoe
Founder
BlockONation


It was billed as Hell Week, but for Ohio State football players, it might have been Jell Week.

Last week, the Buckeyes were put through grueling workouts on the field and stripped of cell phones, televisions and other electronic gizmos off of it.

They had had no choice but to get to know one another a little more and get to know the game even better.

"We came together as a team," linebacker Ross Homan said yesterday. "It was just all football; sleep and football. It's been a very intense, very physical camp, and I think it's going to help us."

With the season opener against Navy nine days away, camp is almost over. And there were signs yesterday in practice that some things are on the upswing.

Left guard Justin Boren, who suffered a sprained knee Aug. 14 and had practiced little since then, took part in the entire session with the first-team offensive line.

Senior receiver Ray Small, whose start of camp was delayed until Aug. 14 because of academic issues, appeared to be getting farther removed from coach Jim Tressel's doghouse. Small took part in some plays with the first-team offense and still appears to be the No. 1 choice for punt returner.

On defense, end Nathan Williams went through workouts with the linebackers, helping shore up the ranks while one projected starter, Austin Spitler, recovers from a calf strain suffered last week.

When the first-team defense took the field, the linebackers were Homan, a returning starter, with Brian Rolle and Etienne Sabino. Defensive tackle Doug Worthington scooted down to end while Cameron Heyward recovers from a sprained ankle.

The practice, conducted in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts, was considered light contact. Yet it still had the intensity that has been the hallmark of this camp, right guard Bryant Browning said.

"This is my fourth year here, and this has been by far the hardest camp," Browning said. "The guys are really laying it on the line every day, we're taking the coaching the best that we can, we're trying to apply it out here, we're really getting after each other, offense vs. defense.

"We're just trying to get each other better, because we both know what goals we want as a team."

When asked to define what "hardest camp" meant, Browning smiled and said, "More of everything. More running, more hitting, more full-pad practices, more scrimmages. I think they are just trying to get us game-ready as quick as possible because we have a real tough September schedule."

Cornerback Chimdi Chekwa agreed that this camp has been tougher, but "it's also been more fun. I don't know why, but it's been fun and tougher at the same time. So I guess it's been a good camp for me."

The defense has found a rallying cry for the season: no name, no blame. Homan said it plays off the absence of four Buckeyes taken in the NFL draft: linebacker James Laurinaitis, cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, linebacker Marcus Freeman and cornerback Donald Washington.

"We can go out there without all the pressure," Homan said. "We can go out there and play relaxed and confident."

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Photo Copyright: TheOzone.net
Original article was written by Tim May of THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH and appears here.

Starting D-Lineman Cameron Heyward Injured

by HD Handshoe
Founder
BlockONation


Lawrence Wilson may have a chance to get his starting job back, at least for a day or two.

Starter Cameron Heyward injured his ankle and could miss a couple practices, although at this time, the full extent of the injury is not known so don't take it to the bank yet.

It is also not known as of yet if there have been X-rays or an MRI, or if and when either test may scheduled.

What is known is that Heyward had to be helped off the field, had ice on his ankle the rest of the scrimmage, and left practice on crutches.

Coach Tressel said Heyward should be fine and doesn't believe the injury is serious.

The Buckeyes open the 2009 season in two weeks when they host the Navy Midshipmen and there are already several players nursing injuries, but Tressel expects them all to be ready by game day.

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BlockONation will add any updates on Heyward's condition when they become available.

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