Fall Camp and Other Tidbits
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Football
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11W MAILBAG: MICHAEL JORDAN'S MOVE TO CENTER, BRIAN HARTLINE'S IMPACT ON RECEIVERS AND OTHER KEY COMPONENTS
Finally, a seemingly longer-than-normal offseason is coming to an end. Ohio State kicks off its 2018 season with a 12:07 p.m. matchup against Oregon State in Columbus on Saturday.
We know you're anxious for the game to start, so we won't waste any more of your time. Let's get to your questions in this week's mailbag.
Where does Shaun Wade fit into the mix in the defensive backfield? — BUCKEYE3M
As soon as Wade arrived on campus, many people expected him to blossom into a first-round NFL draft pick. Even after being plagued with injuries last year, I still think the potential is there. While he's listed as the backup to starting cornerback Kendall Sheffield on the Buckeyes' depth chart, I still think we'll see Wade quite a bit this year. Defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said the team will stick with Jeffrey Okudah, Kendall Sheffield and Damon Arnette in its three-man rotation at the position. But he also noted how excited he was about the youth the Buckeyes have there. Wade, a redshirt freshman, fits that description.
Was moving Michael Jordan to center relatively late in the process more a function of (Malcolm) Pridgeon's development, or staff concerns about the other center candidates? — RBurgundy4
While Pridgeon's development certainly made the transition easier to put into place, I think Jordan was moved to center for two reasons: he brings experience to the position which Brady Taylor and Josh Myers did not have, and the move fits the formula of success we've seen in years past.
After Pat Elfein and Billy Price move from guard to center and then turn into Rimington winners, there's no reason Michael Jordan can't do the same. At 6-foot-7, 312 pounds, he's massive to say the least. He's also a first-team All-Big Ten player and has never missed a game in his collegiate career. Health, experience, leadership. Its a trifecta that's worked for the Buckeyes under Urban Meyer, who's made it a point to discuss how critical he thinks the center position is. If something's not broke, why try and fix it?
Urban can return to team activities after Oregon State (but not be on the sideline). Does the offense look different from Game 1 to Game 2, when Urban presumably can have a big say in the gameplan(s)? — Avail31678
First and foremost, I don't think there's any question Urban isn't having some type of effect on this Saturday's offensive game plan. That's just me, but I can't see that happening.
Acting coach Ryan Day told us Monday that "the plan to win is never going to change. What we have done in the spring is really what we're doing now. Are there a couple tweaks? Yes. But the culture's the culture. It's four to six, A to B, competitive excellence and the brotherhood. The plan to win has never changed. So that's the culture here and the plan to win is always going to be here at Ohio State."
As Day alluded to, from Game 1 to Game 2, I think we'll see some tweaks. But I don't think anything major is in the works and if there is, I don't think it's revealed until the Buckeyes travel to Texas for their Game 3 matchup with TCU.
In your opinion, which true freshmen, if any, see playing time on Saturday? — Darnell
Tyler Friday and Jeremy Ruckert come to mind. The coaching staff has already expressed their intent to play both as soon as Saturday. Josh Proctor is another that's interesting. He's behind Isaiah Pryor and Jahsen Wint on the safety depth chart. However, I don't believe that position is locked down yet. If Ohio State sticks to its script and rotates players at that position until they find the best possible option, I think Proctor gets playing time.
As for who will make the most immediate impact, I have to go with Ruckert. He's got the best chance to start at some point out of the three, and the Buckeyes can always use an extra pair of pass-catching hands.
More questions and answers: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...ines-impact-on-receivers-other-key-components
Finally, a seemingly longer-than-normal offseason is coming to an end. Ohio State kicks off its 2018 season with a 12:07 p.m. matchup against Oregon State in Columbus on Saturday.
We know you're anxious for the game to start, so we won't waste any more of your time. Let's get to your questions in this week's mailbag.
Where does Shaun Wade fit into the mix in the defensive backfield? — BUCKEYE3M
As soon as Wade arrived on campus, many people expected him to blossom into a first-round NFL draft pick. Even after being plagued with injuries last year, I still think the potential is there. While he's listed as the backup to starting cornerback Kendall Sheffield on the Buckeyes' depth chart, I still think we'll see Wade quite a bit this year. Defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said the team will stick with Jeffrey Okudah, Kendall Sheffield and Damon Arnette in its three-man rotation at the position. But he also noted how excited he was about the youth the Buckeyes have there. Wade, a redshirt freshman, fits that description.
Was moving Michael Jordan to center relatively late in the process more a function of (Malcolm) Pridgeon's development, or staff concerns about the other center candidates? — RBurgundy4
While Pridgeon's development certainly made the transition easier to put into place, I think Jordan was moved to center for two reasons: he brings experience to the position which Brady Taylor and Josh Myers did not have, and the move fits the formula of success we've seen in years past.
After Pat Elfein and Billy Price move from guard to center and then turn into Rimington winners, there's no reason Michael Jordan can't do the same. At 6-foot-7, 312 pounds, he's massive to say the least. He's also a first-team All-Big Ten player and has never missed a game in his collegiate career. Health, experience, leadership. Its a trifecta that's worked for the Buckeyes under Urban Meyer, who's made it a point to discuss how critical he thinks the center position is. If something's not broke, why try and fix it?
Urban can return to team activities after Oregon State (but not be on the sideline). Does the offense look different from Game 1 to Game 2, when Urban presumably can have a big say in the gameplan(s)? — Avail31678
First and foremost, I don't think there's any question Urban isn't having some type of effect on this Saturday's offensive game plan. That's just me, but I can't see that happening.
Acting coach Ryan Day told us Monday that "the plan to win is never going to change. What we have done in the spring is really what we're doing now. Are there a couple tweaks? Yes. But the culture's the culture. It's four to six, A to B, competitive excellence and the brotherhood. The plan to win has never changed. So that's the culture here and the plan to win is always going to be here at Ohio State."
As Day alluded to, from Game 1 to Game 2, I think we'll see some tweaks. But I don't think anything major is in the works and if there is, I don't think it's revealed until the Buckeyes travel to Texas for their Game 3 matchup with TCU.
In your opinion, which true freshmen, if any, see playing time on Saturday? — Darnell
Tyler Friday and Jeremy Ruckert come to mind. The coaching staff has already expressed their intent to play both as soon as Saturday. Josh Proctor is another that's interesting. He's behind Isaiah Pryor and Jahsen Wint on the safety depth chart. However, I don't believe that position is locked down yet. If Ohio State sticks to its script and rotates players at that position until they find the best possible option, I think Proctor gets playing time.
As for who will make the most immediate impact, I have to go with Ruckert. He's got the best chance to start at some point out of the three, and the Buckeyes can always use an extra pair of pass-catching hands.
More questions and answers: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...ines-impact-on-receivers-other-key-components
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