Young Wideouts Still Impress: Ray Small is back this week and veteran wide receivers Devon Lyons and Albert Dukes are both available after missing practice time early this season with injuries, Lyons with an ankle injury and Dukes with a sore finger.
"Early they both missed considerable time. They're both pretty close to 100 per cent now," said wide receiver coach Darrell Hazell.
Hazell said that the Buckeyes will probably take nine wide receivers to Washington. That group will include Brian Hartline, Brian Robiskie, Small, Dukes, Lyons, Dane Sanzenbacher, Devon Torrence, Taurian Washington and at least one other receiver. The playing rotation will be much shorter and will include at least two freshmen, Washington and Sanzenbacher, to go along with Robiskie, Hartline and Small. According to Hazell, both Sanzenbacher and Washington have made the most of their opportunities to play while Lyons and Dukes were injured and will be tough to get out of the rotation.
"Saturday we'll probably play five guys based on how the game goes," said Hazell.
Hazell said he is impressed with how the freshmen have picked up the nuances of college football.
"They're probably a little further advanced at this time than what I expected." said Hazell
"I thought that maybe by week five or six they would be at this point. I think they've done a tremendous job of studying off the field and that's given them a chance to be good."
Sanzenbacher has already developed a reputation as a fast learner and heady player. According to Hazell, Washington brings his own set of assets to the table.
"He's strong," said Hazell.
" He's a very strong guy. Powerful but he has very soft hands. He's a little raw with his body right now in terms of getting in and out of breaks but he's going to be a special guy when it's all said and done."
