Spring Back: Stoneburner Gives Tight Ends New Look
By Brandon Castel
COLUMBUS ? Once upon a time there was a tight end who caught passes for Ohio State?or so the fairytale goes.
Today tight ends have become so synonymous with offensive tackles in Columbus that John Peterson coaches both positions.
Buckeye tight ends accounted just 16 catches last season, less than 10 percent of the team?s total catches. Their 180 yards were less than three percent of Ohio State?s total offense. No OSU tight end has caught 30 passes in a season since Ben Hartsock snagged 33 passes for 290 and a pair of touchdowns.
Starter Jake Ballard made only 14 grabs in 2009, but the one he made on New Year?s Day in Pasadena was the kind that never gets forgotten. Watching the 6-foot-7 Ballard climb the ladder to come down with a leaping catch from Terrelle Pryor late in the fourth quarter to keep the drive alive was the kind of play Ohio State fans will be telling their kids about in 10 years.
But was it the kind of play that will have Pryor looking for his tight ends more often in 2010? In our latest ?Spring Back? piece we take a look at the tight ends and how they might fit into the offense this coming season.
Key losses: Jake Ballard (Undrafted)
Returning lettermen: Jake Stoneburner
Spring newcomers: None
Help is on the way: None
