Will Terrelle Pryor Follow in Troy Smith's Footsteps at Ohio State?

By Will Frasure—Featured Contributor

Terrelle Pryor’s Rose Bowl performance against the Oregon Ducks looked eerily similar to that of another former Buckeye QB in a BCS bowl game.

In 2006, Troy Smith led a bludgeoning over the Notre Dame defense, throwing for 342 yards en route to a 34-20 victory over the Irish.

Momentum from the game carried over into the next season—Smith led Ohio State to the national title game and took home the Heisman Trophy.

Will a great BCS performance lead to the same for Pryor?

Judging by what fans are saying after the Buckeyes’ spring practices, the answer would appear to be yes. After Pryor threw 37 times in his dominating performance against Oregon (nine more attempts than his previous season high), coach Jim Tressel has let him take the reins of the offense during spring ball

Pryor, although he has always had great confidence, has appeared more comfortable at the quarterback position this spring, which bodes well for the season. His success against Oregon proved what Pryor could do when he isn’t hesitant, a huge confidence-builder carrying over to this year.

The biggest problem with Pryor last season was his indecisiveness. Pryor may have great speed and scrambling ability, but he also has a rocket arm. If he can stay in the pocket and deliver the ball to his receivers, the quarterback can turn into the dangerous weapon Ohio State envisioned when he first touched down in Columbus.

Smith was always known as a scrambler before his Heisman year, but he became calmer in the pocket his senior year, which led to his success. The same can happen with Pryor.

Tressel has always been known for his conservative play-calling, but if there was ever a year for “The Vest” to break away from his ways, this would be the year.

The Buckeyes return nine offensive starters. Brandon Saine has proven he is a dangerous pass-catching threat out of the backfield, and the emergence of Jake Stoneburner as a hybrid tight end/receiver gives Pryor another target. Tressel loosened things up the most he ever has at Ohio State during Smith's Heisman.

Expect an even bigger step this next season.

Signs point to an explosive offense for Ohio State, but what if Pryor doesn’t show progress? What if he has an early game like his abysmal Purdue game last season? If the past gives us any indication, Tressel is going to make the offense more conservative, like he always has at Ohio State. He’ll rely on his outstanding defense and won’t get creative with the offense, a la Iowa last season.

With the inconsistency Pryor has shown in the past, it’s not unreasonable to think he’ll resort to his old ways in 2010.

But after seeing such great progress against the Ducks, expectations about Pryor are ridiculously high. Against what is supposed to be the best spread offense in the land, Pryor thoroughly outdid Jeremiah Masoli and the rest of Oregon’s spread attack.

He showed what everyone had been expecting when he signed with the Buckeyes

With all the talent returning, along with the progress he’s shown, it’s not crazy to think Pryor can bring home the Heisman Trophy like Smith did in 2006.

Like Smith, his journey to the Heisman may have started during his bowl game the year before.


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Two Of A Kind? Revisiting The Terrelle Pryor To Vince Young Comparison

by HD Handshoe
Founder—Block-O-Nation



I did a short piece on this exact topic back a couple months ago, but with the season now complete for the Buckeyes, I thought the stats, and general similarities of each players' sophomore seasons, were worth a second look.

The comparisons between the two were inevitable—but physical attributes and sick, almost freakish athletic ability aside—I believe that Terrelle Pryor and Vince Young could both go down as two of the best quarterbacks that college football has ever seen.

Of course, Young is already in that club. Pryor's reservation is pending, and whether or not he ever ascends to that level of greatness remains to be seen for now.

Young's 2005 season was statistically outstanding, and capping it off by nearly single-handedly beating USC to win the BCS Championship secured Young's place in history as a college football legend, and certainly one of the best to ever play.

While Pryor is not a legend as of yet, he could very well be on his way to achieving such status. He didn't hurt his chances any on 1/1/2010 by leading the Buckeyes to the 2010 Rose Bowl Championship over high-powered and then-No. 7 Oregon.

If you disagree with the comparison, or aren't sure one way or the other, perhaps a closer look at the two will help you with your conundrum.

Young started 25 games for Texas in his second and third years in the program as a redshirt sophomore and junior in 2004 and 2005.

Pryor to date has had 22 career starts at Ohio State—nine as a true freshman in 2008, and 13 in his just completed sophomore season.

Texas went an amazing 24-1 with Young at quarterback, including the 13-0 title season of 2005. Pryor is 19-3 as a starter for the Buckeyes.

I get the feeling that not everyone believes that Pryor's stats measure up to Young's. I'm not sure if it's just bias against Pryor or Ohio State, or if they are just forming their opinion without the facts.

Fact finding can be a time-consuming, and sometimes bothersome chore, so allow me to do the work and make it simple for you.


Vince Young

Year      Comp/Att/%         Pass Yards/TD/INT  Rating  Rush Yards/TD's
====     ============        =================  ======  ===============
2004     148/250/59.2           1,849/12/11     128.4       1079/14

Terrelle Pryor

Year      Comp/Att/%         Pass Yards/TD/INT  Rating  Rush Yards/TD's
====     ============        =================  ======  ===============
2009     167/295/56.6           2,094/18/11      128.9        779/7

Here's what Vince then did statistically the following season as a junior:

Year      Comp/Att/%         Pass Yards/TD/INT  Rating  Rush Yards/TD's
====     ============        =================  ======  ===============
2005     212/325/65.2           3,036/26/10     163.9       1050/12

In addition to the stats, Young was second in the Heisman voting in 2005, and as I mentioned above, he single-handedly led Texas to the BCS Championship in the Rose Bowl over heavily-favored USC.

I'm not saying, suggesting, or guaranteeing that Terrelle Pryor will be at or near the top of the 2010 Heisman voting, or that he will put up numbers that are close to, or exceed those of Youngs'. Nor am I predicting the Buckeyes will win the 2010 BCS Championship—but I am saying that, depending on how the 2010 recruiting class shakes out between now and signing day, and what we see in the Spring game, all of those things could happen.

Believe it!

Is it September yet?


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Terrelle Pryor Isn't The Next Vince Young - He's the Next Terrelle Pryor

by HD Handshoe
Founder—Block-O-Nation


The comparisons were inevitable, but physical attributes and sick, almost freakish athletic ability aside, I believe that Terrelle Pryor and Vince Young could both go down as two of the best quarterbacks that college football has ever seen.

Of course, Young is already in that club. Pryor's reservation is pending.

His 2005 season was statistically outstanding, and capping it off by nearly single-handedly beating USC to win the BCS Championship turned Young into a college football legend as one of the best to ever play.

While Pryor is not a legend as of yet, he could very well be on his way to achieving such status.

If you disagree, or aren't sure one way or the other, perhaps comparing the two will help with your conundrum.

Young started 25 games for Texas in his second and third years in the program as a redshirt sophomore and junior in 2004 and 2005.

Pryor to date has had 19 career starts at Ohio State—nine as a true freshman in 2008, and 10 so far in this, his sophomore season.

Texas went an amazing 24-1 with Young at quarterback, including the 13-0 title season of 2005. Pryor is 16-3 as a starter for the Buckeyes.

I get the feeling that not everyone believes that Pryor's stats measure up to Young's. I'm not sure if it's just bias against Pryor or Ohio State, or if they are just forming their opinion without the facts.

Fact finding can be a time-consuming, and sometimes bothersome chore, so allow me to do the work and make it simple for you.

Vince Young

Year      Comp/Att/%         Pass Yards/TD/INT  Rating  Rush Yards/TD's
====     ============        =================  ======  ===============
2004     148/250/59.2           1,849/12/11     128.4       1079/14
2005     212/325/65.2           3,036/26/10     163.9       1050/12

Terrelle Pryor

Year      Comp/Att/%         Pass Yards/TD/INT  Rating  Rush Yards/TD's
====     ============        =================  ======  ===============
2008     100/165/60.6           1,311/12/4      146.5        631/6
2009     121/224/54.0           1,668/15/9      130.6        604/7

Obviously, you can see Young rushed and passed for more yards, but their QB ratings are similar when combined and Pryor has a better touchdown to interception ratio than Young (2.07/1 vs. 1.81/1).

Plus, Pryor still has three games left this season, so he will close those gaps heading into year three.

I'm not saying that right now Pryor is as good as Young was—he's not and it's not even close at the moment.

I am saying given the fact that Young had an extra year in the program at Texas to learn the system, and settle into college life without the pressure of being the guy before taking over helped him immensely.

The hype and expectations surrounding Pryor did not afford him that same luxury.

Three games into 2008, Boeckman was struggling, the o-line stunk, and the fans wanted Pryor, so he was shoved into the deep end to sink or swim. Overall, he's been able to tread water, but now the time is rapidly approaching for him to prove that he can swim.

Next year for Pryor could, and hopefully will, look a lot like Young's 2005 campaign—BCS title preferably included.

Maybe he even does something Young didn't do in 2005, like win the Heisman.

Stats can only take you so far though. I don't care if Pryor ever puts up huge numbers like Young did in his third year.

If he can lead the Buckeyes to a BCS title in 2010 or 2011 (as I believe he can and will), he won't be the next Vince Young. He will be Terrelle Pryor—quarterback; leader; champion.

His legacy at Ohio State will forever be secure, and his career as a Buckeye—absolutely legendary.


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USC Knows "Expected" Win Over Terrelle Pryor, Buckeyes Won't be Automatic

Posted by HD Handshoe
Founder—BlockONation


Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor is a dual-threat quarterback in the mold of Vince Young—exactly the type who gives Trojans fits—forcing them to make tough choices to defend both pass and run.


Jethro Franklin has seen it before.

As an NFL defensive line coach for eight seasons, he schemed against some of the most prolific dual-threat quarterbacks of the last decade.

Michael Vick and young Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper were among those who tested his players, not to mention his patience.

And in his first tour of duty at USC, Franklin was on the Rose Bowl sideline when Texas quarterback Vince Young carried the Longhorns to a victory over the Trojans in the 2006 Bowl Championship Series title game.

On Saturday, third-ranked USC will play eighth-ranked Ohio State, which features quarterback Terrelle Pryor, a Young-like 6 feet 6 inches of speed and elusiveness.

Asked if the sophomore merits comparison to Young, Franklin did not miss a beat.

"Ask me after the game," the Trojans' defensive line coach said, breaking into a hearty laugh.

Coach Pete Carroll does not need to wait. He describes Pryor as "almost un-tackle-able."

That sounds a lot like Young, who ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 267 yards in Texas' 41-38 victory over the Trojans nearly four years ago.

To return to the BCS title game, once again at the Rose Bowl, USC probably will have to contain Pryor and get past Ohio State.

"He can do whatever he wants to do," Carroll said of Pryor on Monday. "You think you're going to keep him in the pocket and then he just scoots up and gets back out again.

"You can holler at guys for not containing and it doesn't matter -- you contain-rush and he just dips and goes."

Whether Pryor is the second coming of Young remains to be seen. But there is no doubt Pryor has come a long way since last September, when he split time with senior Todd Boeckman in a 35-3 loss to the Trojans at the Coliseum.

Pryor rushed for 40 yards and completed seven of nine passes that day. He moved into the starting lineup a week later.

He finished the season as a 60% passer, throwing for 12 touchdowns with four interceptions. He also ran for more than 600 yards and six touchdowns.

Against Navy on Saturday, Pryor completed 14 of 21 passes for 174 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He rushed for 30 yards in five carries.

"He's faster than he looks and then he's so big and strong, guys bounce off him and slip off him all the time," Carroll said.

But Pryor now appears capable of winning games with his arm as well as his feet.

Steve Clarkson, a private quarterback coach whose proteges have included USC's Matt Barkley, Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen and 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart among others, has witnessed the change.

Pryor attended two camps run by Clarkson, one before his final season at Jeannette High in Jeannette, Pa., and one before his freshman season at Ohio State.

"You could see he had tons of talent, and the thing you liked about him more than anything was he wanted to learn," Clarkson said. "Physically, he was undeniably a beast."

Pryor, Clarkson said, has grown dramatically as a passer since arriving in Columbus.

"They've done an unbelievable job with him over there," Clarkson said. "Rarely do you see a kid get better mechanically when he goes to a program like that. This kid clearly got better.

"He throws the ball more accurately -- he looks like a quarterback. I think he's a much better passer than Vince Young was."

Pryor's running ability, though, remains his calling card. And running quarterbacks have caused trouble for USC in the Carroll era.

Kansas State's Ell Roberson, Virginia Tech's Bryan Randall, Oregon's Dennis Dixon and, of course, Young gave the Trojans problems.

Now comes an improved Pryor, running an offense tailored to his talents.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio State ran the option five times against Navy and averaged 7.4 yards per play.

"I think that we definitely feel really comfortable doing it, and Terrelle makes real good decisions out there, so hopefully we'll see it a lot more," tailback Brandon Saine told the newspaper.

Pryor also ran four quarterback draws, the Plain Dealer reported, and a bootleg for a two-yard touchdown. He scrambled once for seven yards.

"He's a playmaker . . . so this is a week where the emphasis for us has to be on tackling," USC middle linebacker Chris Galippo said. "No arm tackles. Forceful hitting has to occur or it could be a long game."

Franklin sees it the same way, so he is stressing that his charges remain disciplined in their pass-rush lanes while keeping an eye on Pryor.

"He's hard to bring down," Franklin said, "so we've got our hands full."


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Original article written by Gary Klein of the L.A. Times