Of all the positions to play and all the teams to play for, offensive line at Ohio State seems like a recipe for a redshirt.
But incoming Buckeyes freshmen like Jack Mewhort have new hope to see the field early in their careers. The team is getting a lot younger in 2009, and the offensive line loses three starters. One of the returning starters, center Mike Brewster, earned the job as a true freshman.
"[Line coach Jim] Bollman told all the linemen in our class that we have to come in with the mentality that we're going to compete," Mewhort said. "If I do get in there and get some reps, that's going to be great."
Ohio State's strong recruiting at the line positions the last few years could result in three sophomore starters -- Brewster and tackles J.B. Shugarts and Mike Adams -- this fall. Mewhort, an ESPNU 150 selection, and Marcus Hall both are candidates to crack the two-deep as true freshmen.
"I don't know if I'm comparable to Michael Brewster," Mewhort said. "He's a great football player. But I look at him and saw him play, that's exciting to see. I'm going to have to get a lot better at what I do in order to get to that position."
As one of four early enrollees, Mewhort feels like he has a head start on the competition. He's still adjusting to the 6 a.m. workouts four times a week but has blended in well with his new teammates.
The team's shift toward younger players is obvious to Mewhort, who lives a floor above quarterback
Terrelle Pryor and has seen the rising sophomore take on a greater leadership role.
"It's really exciting, especially with Terrelle running the show," Mewhort said. "We had a 7-on-7 [last week], and just watching him take control, you can tell he wants to lead this team. He's pulling people aside, telling people where to go. You can just tell he's a natural leader."
