scarletngrey11
All right, all right, all right.
Look for Josh to get alot of playing time tomorrow.
Upvote
0
-
Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
- Thread starter sears3820
- Start date
WestonBuckeye
Junior
I bet M Wells wished he didnt
Richardson killed him today and M Wells paid the price
Richardson killed him today and M Wells paid the price
Upvote
0
scarletngrey11
All right, all right, all right.
Hopefully he turns it around, because before the game today he was listed in the two deep at RT. Keep in mind that in all actuality Kerr is a freshman, while Richardson is an experienced senior with alot more game experience.
Upvote
0
CleveBucks
Serenity now
He's in the two-deep only because of injuries in the spring. He still has a long way to go to see the field.
Upvote
0
scarletngrey11
All right, all right, all right.
Thats why I said before the game today.
I agree. If he is still in the two-deep by the time NIU comes into town, then we are in trouble.
Upvote
0
official.site
In Step
For the first time, football paths cross for brothers John and Josh Kerr
Senior linebacker John Kerr and freshman tackle Josh Kerr.
Sept. 2, 2006
by Courtney Walerius Ohio State Athletics Communications
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
The path of life is complex with many twists and turns along the way. Sometimes the most clear-cut destinations are the most challenging to reach. From point A to point B is not always a one-step process. It can be frustrating, but the journey is made easier with another traveler. The road to playing college football has not exactly been straight forward for senior linebacker John Kerr or brother, freshman tackle Josh, but with the two playing for Ohio State this season, both are looking forward to taking the
same path for the first time in their lives.
"The closer you are to family, the better," John Kerr reflected.
"It's always been a dream for John and me to play together, so for one year it's a great opportunity," Josh Kerr added.
John and Josh were born two years apart - two years and 10 days to be exact. They were close enough in age to tag-team against their older brothers, Bill and Luke. Josh always was tall for his age and acted as wing man while John was the strong one. While they teamed up to defeat the elder Kerr brother duo, the two were unable to combine their physical feats on the football field.
Growing up, John and Josh always were climbing the youth football ladder one rung removed from each other. When the time came to move on to high school, John headed to football powerhouse St. Ignatius. There he helped the football team win two Ohio state championships as a sophomore and senior. Along with developing as a player and student, the motto of the all-boys school struck a chord with John and is something that will stick with him while navigating through life.
"Their motto is `Men for others,'" John said. "That's a very important thing."
While John was attending St. Ignatius, Josh decided to stay local and attend Strongsville High School. He wanted to stay with his coach, Russ Jacques, and his class. As an offensive lineman, Josh thought it was a good place to develop his football game.
"The route I ended up taking was an all-boys school," John said. "Josh stayed with his friends at Strongsville. We took different paths, but we ended up at the same place so it's all good."
Their varying directions continued after high school. After graduating from St. Ignatius, John matriculated to Indiana University. There the linebacker led all Big Ten freshmen in tackles in 2002 with 114, 75 of which were solo tackles. He was the only freshman at IU to start all 12 games that season and led the Hoosiers in tackles in four games. While his success during his first collegiate football season was undeniable, John decided to transfer to his home state and suit up for the Buckeyes.
That decision led to a change in direction. John was now heading down a different path than what he had envisioned just a season earlier. While it was a welcome homecoming to the state of Ohio, there were new bumps in the road. After completing a strong freshman campaign, John had to sit out the 2003 season because of NCAA transfer rules. He was able to participate in practice, but could only watch from the sidelines during games.
John's redshirt season was followed by a sophomore year when he was a member of the scout team and did not see any game action. During his junior season, he eagerly stepped into a leadership role with a young special team corps and saw action in all 12 games. He totaled 14 tackles, recording three tackles in three separate games, but his time as a linebacker was limited because of Ohio State's outstanding senior trio of Anthony Schlegel, Bobby Carpenter and All-American A.J. Hawk.
While John was facing hurdles finding a starting role at Ohio State, Josh was going through a football struggle himself. As a high school senior, Josh was recruited by numerous schools and decided to play for the University of Miami. After committing to the Hurricanes, an unforeseen change of plans left him without a place to play.
Just when it looked like both of their roads were heading in an unwanted direction, there was a turn of events placing the Kerr brothers on the same path. Ohio State called Josh and offered him a place to play. It was for a great program, it was for the home crowd and, most importantly, it was for the same team as his brother. After both traveling out of state, the roads home merged with a familiar face there to greet each other. Josh sat out more than a year and attended an OSU branch campus, meeting up with his older brother at the Ohio State main campus this spring.
"Both boys always wanted to play for Ohio State," Susan Kerr, their mother, said. "The Lord worked it out and it was a dream come true. When John found out Josh was going to be joining him (on the football team), the very first thing out of John's mouth was `I get to walk to the stadium with my brother.'"
The way to college football for the Kerrs included a few ruts, but for the first time in their lives the brothers could look across the locker room, go to practice and march into Ohio Stadium knowing there is the shoulder of a brother to lean on.
"It's awesome," John said. "He's one of my best friends in the whole world and now I get to see him every day."
"It's a great experience," Josh commented. "Once I found out I was coming to Ohio State, it was really exciting. We haven't ever played together and it's just fun to be with him out on the same field."
With the start of spring football practice in March, for the first time in their lives, the brothers suited up for the same team. At the spring football game in April, the Kerr family came to Ohio Stadium to watch both of the sons play. Susan recalled a man sitting next to her elbowing her during the first play. "Your one boy just blocked the other," he said. The entire family smiled and continued cheering the whole game, rooting on John with the defense and Josh with the offense.
While it is just for one season, the two are thrilled to have the opportunity to play together at all and eagerly want to make the most of it. They spend much of their time together when not at practice or meetings, but John also encourages his younger brother to get to know his fellow teammates. After being the in the "new guy" role twice in college, John has experienced first-hand the importance of opening up and making friends.
"A lot of freshmen and transfers, when they come over, if they are shy like I am and like he is, they won't talk to anybody and you won't make friends that way," John said. "I just told him to open up and don't be nervous to talk to people. Just let them know who you are and you'll make a lot of friends - a lot of life-long friends. You don't want to go through his whole experience and not have the best friends of your life. Otherwise you miss the boat. I just try to give him some advice I wish I would have had when I first got here."
"I try to set an example and keep on the straight line; live a good life," he added. "It's nice being able to help him out with things that freshmen go through, all the insecurities they have. Josh just comes to me and I talk to him and tell him what's going on."
Josh is appreciative of any hints his older brother gives for a smoother adjustment to college life.
"He's told me what to expect out of everything. Just little things you wouldn't think of," Josh said. "He's told me what to look out for and it's just been great to have him around. Not many freshmen have an older brother to even look up to, much less show them around."
After every meeting, every practice, every game, both John and Josh immediately call their mentor throughout their lives, their father, Bill Kerr. John will call him a few times a day and is usually the first to get through. After receiving words of wisdom and encouragement, he shares his questions and concerns, not only about his life but his brother's as well. Then Josh calls their father and hears his own specific supporting words while voicing questions and concerns for him and his brother. They are each other's keeper, watching out for one another.
Having a brother around has been mutually beneficial. While John can show
Josh the ropes to enduring his first year of Ohio State football and classes,
Josh has helped ease the pressure that John feels entering his final year. As a fifth-year senior, John begins the season the starter at middle linebacker on the depth-chart. As a member of the revamped Ohio State defense, the expectations of replacing Schlegel, Carpenter and Hawk can be steep and as a senior, he knows he is looked up to as a leader of the defensive unit.
"There are a lot of shoes to fill, not just in the linebacker position," John said. "I am getting a great opportunity. I need to go out there and give it my best. I'm excited about it. It's going to be a battle and a fight, but I can't wait to get out there and get after the opposition. I'm excited about playing with this group of guys and I think we are going to do wonderful things this year."
When the day has been particularly grueling or practice did not go as well as planned, John can turn to Josh to cheer him up. The easy-going youngest brother always has the right remark to crack a smile. Even when he is not around to joke, Josh will send John a funny text message to lighten the mood.
"There is one thing about Josh - he is a funny guy. He's always good for a laugh," John said. "He doesn't get angry with people and is always joking around. He breaks the tension. He keeps the mood light."
If even for a season, the path has come together for the Kerr brothers. For John, it is a rewarding way to conclude his college career, while for Josh, it is a comforting way to begin his college career. For both, the road leading to the 2006 Ohio State football season has been rough at times, but with the opportunity to finally suit up for the same team and play together, neither would change their previous course. If even for a season, the two are in step as brothers and can bond as fellow travelers.
"They grew up sharing a room, even sharing clothes, and now they can share this experience," Susan said. "How could it be more special than the two of them playing together at Ohio State?"
"We've both been down some hard roads, but it's good to see it open up a bit," Josh said. "It's exciting for us to get the opportunity to play together."
"In my opinion, there are no coincidences in life," John remarked. "This is the way that God wanted it. We both wanted to be here and are needed here. The closer you are to family, the better. Everything is in its place now."
In Step
For the first time, football paths cross for brothers John and Josh Kerr
Senior linebacker John Kerr and freshman tackle Josh Kerr.
Sept. 2, 2006
by Courtney Walerius Ohio State Athletics Communications
Complete Release in PDF Format
The path of life is complex with many twists and turns along the way. Sometimes the most clear-cut destinations are the most challenging to reach. From point A to point B is not always a one-step process. It can be frustrating, but the journey is made easier with another traveler. The road to playing college football has not exactly been straight forward for senior linebacker John Kerr or brother, freshman tackle Josh, but with the two playing for Ohio State this season, both are looking forward to taking the
same path for the first time in their lives.
"The closer you are to family, the better," John Kerr reflected.
"It's always been a dream for John and me to play together, so for one year it's a great opportunity," Josh Kerr added.
John and Josh were born two years apart - two years and 10 days to be exact. They were close enough in age to tag-team against their older brothers, Bill and Luke. Josh always was tall for his age and acted as wing man while John was the strong one. While they teamed up to defeat the elder Kerr brother duo, the two were unable to combine their physical feats on the football field.
Growing up, John and Josh always were climbing the youth football ladder one rung removed from each other. When the time came to move on to high school, John headed to football powerhouse St. Ignatius. There he helped the football team win two Ohio state championships as a sophomore and senior. Along with developing as a player and student, the motto of the all-boys school struck a chord with John and is something that will stick with him while navigating through life.
"Their motto is `Men for others,'" John said. "That's a very important thing."
While John was attending St. Ignatius, Josh decided to stay local and attend Strongsville High School. He wanted to stay with his coach, Russ Jacques, and his class. As an offensive lineman, Josh thought it was a good place to develop his football game.
"The route I ended up taking was an all-boys school," John said. "Josh stayed with his friends at Strongsville. We took different paths, but we ended up at the same place so it's all good."
Their varying directions continued after high school. After graduating from St. Ignatius, John matriculated to Indiana University. There the linebacker led all Big Ten freshmen in tackles in 2002 with 114, 75 of which were solo tackles. He was the only freshman at IU to start all 12 games that season and led the Hoosiers in tackles in four games. While his success during his first collegiate football season was undeniable, John decided to transfer to his home state and suit up for the Buckeyes.
That decision led to a change in direction. John was now heading down a different path than what he had envisioned just a season earlier. While it was a welcome homecoming to the state of Ohio, there were new bumps in the road. After completing a strong freshman campaign, John had to sit out the 2003 season because of NCAA transfer rules. He was able to participate in practice, but could only watch from the sidelines during games.
John's redshirt season was followed by a sophomore year when he was a member of the scout team and did not see any game action. During his junior season, he eagerly stepped into a leadership role with a young special team corps and saw action in all 12 games. He totaled 14 tackles, recording three tackles in three separate games, but his time as a linebacker was limited because of Ohio State's outstanding senior trio of Anthony Schlegel, Bobby Carpenter and All-American A.J. Hawk.
While John was facing hurdles finding a starting role at Ohio State, Josh was going through a football struggle himself. As a high school senior, Josh was recruited by numerous schools and decided to play for the University of Miami. After committing to the Hurricanes, an unforeseen change of plans left him without a place to play.
Just when it looked like both of their roads were heading in an unwanted direction, there was a turn of events placing the Kerr brothers on the same path. Ohio State called Josh and offered him a place to play. It was for a great program, it was for the home crowd and, most importantly, it was for the same team as his brother. After both traveling out of state, the roads home merged with a familiar face there to greet each other. Josh sat out more than a year and attended an OSU branch campus, meeting up with his older brother at the Ohio State main campus this spring.
"Both boys always wanted to play for Ohio State," Susan Kerr, their mother, said. "The Lord worked it out and it was a dream come true. When John found out Josh was going to be joining him (on the football team), the very first thing out of John's mouth was `I get to walk to the stadium with my brother.'"
The way to college football for the Kerrs included a few ruts, but for the first time in their lives the brothers could look across the locker room, go to practice and march into Ohio Stadium knowing there is the shoulder of a brother to lean on.
"It's awesome," John said. "He's one of my best friends in the whole world and now I get to see him every day."
"It's a great experience," Josh commented. "Once I found out I was coming to Ohio State, it was really exciting. We haven't ever played together and it's just fun to be with him out on the same field."
With the start of spring football practice in March, for the first time in their lives, the brothers suited up for the same team. At the spring football game in April, the Kerr family came to Ohio Stadium to watch both of the sons play. Susan recalled a man sitting next to her elbowing her during the first play. "Your one boy just blocked the other," he said. The entire family smiled and continued cheering the whole game, rooting on John with the defense and Josh with the offense.
While it is just for one season, the two are thrilled to have the opportunity to play together at all and eagerly want to make the most of it. They spend much of their time together when not at practice or meetings, but John also encourages his younger brother to get to know his fellow teammates. After being the in the "new guy" role twice in college, John has experienced first-hand the importance of opening up and making friends.
"A lot of freshmen and transfers, when they come over, if they are shy like I am and like he is, they won't talk to anybody and you won't make friends that way," John said. "I just told him to open up and don't be nervous to talk to people. Just let them know who you are and you'll make a lot of friends - a lot of life-long friends. You don't want to go through his whole experience and not have the best friends of your life. Otherwise you miss the boat. I just try to give him some advice I wish I would have had when I first got here."
"I try to set an example and keep on the straight line; live a good life," he added. "It's nice being able to help him out with things that freshmen go through, all the insecurities they have. Josh just comes to me and I talk to him and tell him what's going on."
Josh is appreciative of any hints his older brother gives for a smoother adjustment to college life.
"He's told me what to expect out of everything. Just little things you wouldn't think of," Josh said. "He's told me what to look out for and it's just been great to have him around. Not many freshmen have an older brother to even look up to, much less show them around."
After every meeting, every practice, every game, both John and Josh immediately call their mentor throughout their lives, their father, Bill Kerr. John will call him a few times a day and is usually the first to get through. After receiving words of wisdom and encouragement, he shares his questions and concerns, not only about his life but his brother's as well. Then Josh calls their father and hears his own specific supporting words while voicing questions and concerns for him and his brother. They are each other's keeper, watching out for one another.
Having a brother around has been mutually beneficial. While John can show
Josh the ropes to enduring his first year of Ohio State football and classes,
Josh has helped ease the pressure that John feels entering his final year. As a fifth-year senior, John begins the season the starter at middle linebacker on the depth-chart. As a member of the revamped Ohio State defense, the expectations of replacing Schlegel, Carpenter and Hawk can be steep and as a senior, he knows he is looked up to as a leader of the defensive unit.
"There are a lot of shoes to fill, not just in the linebacker position," John said. "I am getting a great opportunity. I need to go out there and give it my best. I'm excited about it. It's going to be a battle and a fight, but I can't wait to get out there and get after the opposition. I'm excited about playing with this group of guys and I think we are going to do wonderful things this year."
When the day has been particularly grueling or practice did not go as well as planned, John can turn to Josh to cheer him up. The easy-going youngest brother always has the right remark to crack a smile. Even when he is not around to joke, Josh will send John a funny text message to lighten the mood.
"There is one thing about Josh - he is a funny guy. He's always good for a laugh," John said. "He doesn't get angry with people and is always joking around. He breaks the tension. He keeps the mood light."
If even for a season, the path has come together for the Kerr brothers. For John, it is a rewarding way to conclude his college career, while for Josh, it is a comforting way to begin his college career. For both, the road leading to the 2006 Ohio State football season has been rough at times, but with the opportunity to finally suit up for the same team and play together, neither would change their previous course. If even for a season, the two are in step as brothers and can bond as fellow travelers.
"They grew up sharing a room, even sharing clothes, and now they can share this experience," Susan said. "How could it be more special than the two of them playing together at Ohio State?"
"We've both been down some hard roads, but it's good to see it open up a bit," Josh said. "It's exciting for us to get the opportunity to play together."
"In my opinion, there are no coincidences in life," John remarked. "This is the way that God wanted it. We both wanted to be here and are needed here. The closer you are to family, the better. Everything is in its place now."
Upvote
0
Oneshot
Goes For Three
Still not sold on Josh after the Spring Game.
I think it was him that watched Larry Grant KILL Boeckman.
Didn't see anything special in run or pass pro. Am I missing something? Is he really 2nd string? What does that say about the tackles behind him? Hope the injury bug doesn't come during the season.
I think it was him that watched Larry Grant KILL Boeckman.
Didn't see anything special in run or pass pro. Am I missing something? Is he really 2nd string? What does that say about the tackles behind him? Hope the injury bug doesn't come during the season.
Upvote
0
