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OSUBuckeye4Life
"THE" Ohio State Buckeyes
He recieves the ball in his "bread basket" from the QB on almost every play.
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Some nice comments towards Wells in this article. Also, the attack in a players attitude that he invited to the game, seems pretty out of the normal, or has he questioned many players attitudes before? (Referring to Harvin not Wells.)
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http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/9192078/rss
SportsLine: What player might make an immediate impact?
I think Wells could because Ohio State has been looking for a big back.
Lemming: (Running back) Chris Wells from Garfield High in Akron -- 6-2, 230. He's Maurice Clarett without the baggage. Same kind of size, speed and strength, great attitude. He was our best player in San Antonio (at the U.S. Army all-star game). I picked the players for that game. He was the best player there.
(Receiver) Percy Harvin from Virginia is great, my No. 2 player, but he's got a bad attitude.
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http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/9192078/rss
SportsLine: What player might make an immediate impact?
I think Wells could because Ohio State has been looking for a big back.
Lemming: (Running back) Chris Wells from Garfield High in Akron -- 6-2, 230. He's Maurice Clarett without the baggage. Same kind of size, speed and strength, great attitude. He was our best player in San Antonio (at the U.S. Army all-star game). I picked the players for that game. He was the best player there.
(Receiver) Percy Harvin from Virginia is great, my No. 2 player, but he's got a bad attitude.
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ABJ
1/29
DEALT A FULL HOUSE
Growing up in a big family with adopted siblings, OSU recruit Wells comfortable in a crowd, ready to lend a hand to Buckeyes
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
<!-- begin body-content --> She already has raised the recruit deemed the nation's best running back. This fall, she'll have two sons attending Ohio State: Parade All-American Chris Wells and his older brother Lenny.
Before Wednesday's national signing day makes it official, Paulette Wells was thinking about road trips to Texas and Iowa to follow Chris, the Garfield standout who will begin his first year with the Buckeyes when he enrolls March 26. But she couldn't escape the contents of the manila envelope lying below the television in the living room entertainment center.
Inside was information on two brothers, 17 and 15, who have been in foster care half their lives. For 10 years, Paulette and James Wells have acted on her calling to help less fortunate children in the Akron area. They became foster parents in 1996 and adopted their first child in 1999.
Now the family of 13 includes five adoptees. Nine people live in their modest five-bedroom, two-bath Cape Cod with gray aluminum siding and scarlet shutters.
``She likes to give kids another chance,'' James Wells said.
``Today's foster kids are tomorrow's homeless people,'' Paulette Wells said.
Paulette Wells has already turned down the request to help the two brothers. She told A Child's Waiting, a local agency that has a national network of children from newborn to 17, that their home would need another bedroom and bathroom to handle anyone else.
``We're taking donations for another bathroom,'' she said, and she doesn't sound like she's joking.
The subsidy -- the Ohio minimum is $250 per month -- and health-care card the Wells receive for each adoptee doesn't seem to go far. A recent dinner for the clan meant cooking 20 pork chops, 50 chicken wings, five bags of frozen green beans and a 10-pound bag of potatoes destined for mashing.
``We never have leftovers. Sometimes potatoes,'' Paulette Wells said.
The Wells' 11 children seem like a classic example of Yours, Mine and Ours. James' daughters Carlyse, 18, and Jalyse, 15, live with their mother. Two of Paulette's children, Cherise, 31, and Donald, 21, have moved out. Joey, 18, and Chris, 17, nicknamed ``Beanie'' because he was a long stringbean as a baby, remain at home. Adopted were Lenny, 19, Jordan, 15, Courtney, 13, James, 12, and Traci, 12. Traci was the first to join the household when she was 7 and is very close to Chris. Lenny, abandoned at birth at the hospital, arrived when he was 12.
Paulette Wells downplays how they all came together and said they've molded into ``one big family.'' Chris doesn't seem fazed by the number of children under their roof.
``I like it,'' he said. ``I don't know what I'd do without them. I'd be bored.
``It's great growing up with a big family, all of us looking out for the others. There's always so many people at our house. Always somebody visiting, somebody's friends over. It's like a community center.''
Other than Chris, the most athletic are Joey, who played football at Central-Hower, and Courtney, who stands 5-foot-11 and plays basketball, volleyball and softball. James participates in soccer, Jordan football.
Chris seemed undaunted by his parents' rules, like the assigned chores. Each has a day to do the dishes, a day to clean the bathroom, a day to wash clothes. Paulette said lately Joey and Chris have paid the younger ones to do their work, which helps supplement their $5 to $6 a week allowance.
``They're always saying, `Mom, we need a raise,' '' Paulette Wells said. ``I say, `When I get a raise, you get a raise.' ''
Paulette, 46, drives a van for Akron Board of Education special education students, starting her run about 7:30 each morning. She is also looking for a part-time job. James, 41, is a shipping clerk for Wellman Products.
Their income tax refund, boosted by a $10,000 tax credit for each adopted child, is always earmarked before it arrives. Next on the horizon is a joint graduation picnic for Chris and Joey in June. Earlier this month, came expenses for a trip to San Antonio, Texas, for 18 family members, including Paulette's 80-year-old mother, Florence Wheeler, to watch Chris play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Rushing for 67 yards and three touchdowns, Chris was named Most Valuable Player, prompting Paulette to send him balloons at school and order a large arrow sign for their front yard.
Already excelling with his combination of strength and smarts, Chris Wells could feel pressure to eventually reach the NFL and provide for his parents and siblings.
``I'd like to do it out of my heart,'' he said. ``There's not any pressure that I've got to take care of my family. My brothers and sisters are real smart, they're going to be able to take care of themselves. I'm pretty sure they're going to have great jobs.''
Paulette boasted that Traci and James carry 4.0 grade-point averages, and Jordan has a 3.5 and Courtney a 2.5. They also get a monetary reward for good grades, often with a little extra from their grandma.
James and Paulette Wells have been married 13 ½ years, meeting when she was working part-time at a check-cashing business.
``She thought I was loaded. I'd been working a lot of overtime,'' James said with a smile.
At that time, Paulette Wells was an education assistant in the Akron schools and what she saw began to trouble her.
``A lot of kids were in foster homes and they came to school so unkempt,'' she said. ``I thought, `Maybe I can take some of these kids and make a difference.' ''
Chris, who plans to room with Lenny in their sophomore year at OSU, said he never felt deprived. He's proud of what his parents have done.
``My mom and dad did a great job raising us,'' he said. ``We've always thought about helping other people.''
1/29
DEALT A FULL HOUSE
Growing up in a big family with adopted siblings, OSU recruit Wells comfortable in a crowd, ready to lend a hand to Buckeyes
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
<!-- begin body-content --> She already has raised the recruit deemed the nation's best running back. This fall, she'll have two sons attending Ohio State: Parade All-American Chris Wells and his older brother Lenny.
Before Wednesday's national signing day makes it official, Paulette Wells was thinking about road trips to Texas and Iowa to follow Chris, the Garfield standout who will begin his first year with the Buckeyes when he enrolls March 26. But she couldn't escape the contents of the manila envelope lying below the television in the living room entertainment center.
Inside was information on two brothers, 17 and 15, who have been in foster care half their lives. For 10 years, Paulette and James Wells have acted on her calling to help less fortunate children in the Akron area. They became foster parents in 1996 and adopted their first child in 1999.
Now the family of 13 includes five adoptees. Nine people live in their modest five-bedroom, two-bath Cape Cod with gray aluminum siding and scarlet shutters.
``She likes to give kids another chance,'' James Wells said.
``Today's foster kids are tomorrow's homeless people,'' Paulette Wells said.
Paulette Wells has already turned down the request to help the two brothers. She told A Child's Waiting, a local agency that has a national network of children from newborn to 17, that their home would need another bedroom and bathroom to handle anyone else.
``We're taking donations for another bathroom,'' she said, and she doesn't sound like she's joking.
The subsidy -- the Ohio minimum is $250 per month -- and health-care card the Wells receive for each adoptee doesn't seem to go far. A recent dinner for the clan meant cooking 20 pork chops, 50 chicken wings, five bags of frozen green beans and a 10-pound bag of potatoes destined for mashing.
``We never have leftovers. Sometimes potatoes,'' Paulette Wells said.
The Wells' 11 children seem like a classic example of Yours, Mine and Ours. James' daughters Carlyse, 18, and Jalyse, 15, live with their mother. Two of Paulette's children, Cherise, 31, and Donald, 21, have moved out. Joey, 18, and Chris, 17, nicknamed ``Beanie'' because he was a long stringbean as a baby, remain at home. Adopted were Lenny, 19, Jordan, 15, Courtney, 13, James, 12, and Traci, 12. Traci was the first to join the household when she was 7 and is very close to Chris. Lenny, abandoned at birth at the hospital, arrived when he was 12.
Paulette Wells downplays how they all came together and said they've molded into ``one big family.'' Chris doesn't seem fazed by the number of children under their roof.
``I like it,'' he said. ``I don't know what I'd do without them. I'd be bored.
``It's great growing up with a big family, all of us looking out for the others. There's always so many people at our house. Always somebody visiting, somebody's friends over. It's like a community center.''
Other than Chris, the most athletic are Joey, who played football at Central-Hower, and Courtney, who stands 5-foot-11 and plays basketball, volleyball and softball. James participates in soccer, Jordan football.
Chris seemed undaunted by his parents' rules, like the assigned chores. Each has a day to do the dishes, a day to clean the bathroom, a day to wash clothes. Paulette said lately Joey and Chris have paid the younger ones to do their work, which helps supplement their $5 to $6 a week allowance.
``They're always saying, `Mom, we need a raise,' '' Paulette Wells said. ``I say, `When I get a raise, you get a raise.' ''
Paulette, 46, drives a van for Akron Board of Education special education students, starting her run about 7:30 each morning. She is also looking for a part-time job. James, 41, is a shipping clerk for Wellman Products.
Their income tax refund, boosted by a $10,000 tax credit for each adopted child, is always earmarked before it arrives. Next on the horizon is a joint graduation picnic for Chris and Joey in June. Earlier this month, came expenses for a trip to San Antonio, Texas, for 18 family members, including Paulette's 80-year-old mother, Florence Wheeler, to watch Chris play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Rushing for 67 yards and three touchdowns, Chris was named Most Valuable Player, prompting Paulette to send him balloons at school and order a large arrow sign for their front yard.
Already excelling with his combination of strength and smarts, Chris Wells could feel pressure to eventually reach the NFL and provide for his parents and siblings.
``I'd like to do it out of my heart,'' he said. ``There's not any pressure that I've got to take care of my family. My brothers and sisters are real smart, they're going to be able to take care of themselves. I'm pretty sure they're going to have great jobs.''
Paulette boasted that Traci and James carry 4.0 grade-point averages, and Jordan has a 3.5 and Courtney a 2.5. They also get a monetary reward for good grades, often with a little extra from their grandma.
James and Paulette Wells have been married 13 ½ years, meeting when she was working part-time at a check-cashing business.
``She thought I was loaded. I'd been working a lot of overtime,'' James said with a smile.
At that time, Paulette Wells was an education assistant in the Akron schools and what she saw began to trouble her.
``A lot of kids were in foster homes and they came to school so unkempt,'' she said. ``I thought, `Maybe I can take some of these kids and make a difference.' ''
Chris, who plans to room with Lenny in their sophomore year at OSU, said he never felt deprived. He's proud of what his parents have done.
``My mom and dad did a great job raising us,'' he said. ``We've always thought about helping other people.''
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0
Cols Dispatch
1/29
OSU FOOTBALL | 2006 RECRUITING CLASS
Scarlet and gray? Feels just like home
Hotshot prospect Chris Wells is eager to get his college career going
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
<!--PHOTOS--> <table class="phototableright" align="right" border="0"> <!-- begin large ad code --> <tbody><tr><td> <table align="center"> <tbody><tr><td align="center">
</td></tr> <tr><td class="credit" width="200"> CHRIS RUSSELL | DISPATCH </td></tr> <tr><td class="cutline" width="200">Chris Wells will have to find room for his collection of shoes when he arrives at Ohio State. </td></tr> <tr><td align="center">
</td></tr> <tr><td class="credit" width="200"> JOCELYN WILLIAMS | AKRON BEACON JOURNAL </td></tr> <tr><td class="cutline" width="200">Chris Wells, left, starred at Akron Garfield, but he graduated early so that he could enroll at Ohio State in the spring. </td></tr> <tr><td align="center">
</td></tr> <tr><td class="credit" width="200"> CHRIS RUSSELL | DISPATCH </td></tr> <tr><td class="cutline" width="200">When Chris Wells made up his mind on Ohio State, his mother, Paulette, decided that the house needed a scarlet-and-gray look. </td></tr> </tbody></table> </td></tr> </tbody> </table>
KRON — Chris Wells is headed to college a little early, but know this about the young man who might be the next great Ohio State tailback: He’s accustomed to big crowds, and he’s used to the scarlet-and-gray motif.
The modest two-story house where he grew up on Clara Avenue on the south side of Akron has gray vinyl siding with scarlet trim, the colors chosen by his mother, Paulette, and approved by his father, James, for a needed makeover a little more than a year ago.
‘‘Actually, if you look closely at the shingles, they have some scarlet and gray in them, too," Paulette said.
You might even call her a doting mom, if it’s possible to dote on 11 children (six boys, five girls). That helps explains why Chris, who prefers to be called by his nickname ‘‘Beanie," shouldn’t have trouble adjusting to dormitory life or crowds when he reports for spring quarter at OSU.
‘‘I am going to miss having my brothers and sisters around; I always need them to run errands and things for me," he said, laughing. ‘‘No, I’m always messing with them. But I’m also looking forward to moving out and starting this new part of my life."
The Buckeyes are looking forward to it, too. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound running back is considered the No. 1 overall prospect in the country this recruiting season by Scout.com’s Tom Lemming. In OSU’s 2006 recruiting class, which will number as many as 21 on signing day Wednesday, Wells is the gem, a blend of power, speed and plain football savvy.
In many ways, Wells is similar to Maurice Clarett, who graduated from high school ahead of time and enrolled early at OSU in 2002 so he could get a head start on his college career.
Even before he committed to Ohio State almost a year ago, Wells said he was already on the same fast track, earning credit in summer school and with extra work so he could graduate early from Garfield High School.
"Ever since I heard about Maurice Clarett going to college early and then seeing the success he had as a freshman, no matter where I ended up going to college, I wanted to get there early," Wells said.
The Clarett inspiration ends there, though. Clarett’s football career hit the skids after his freshman season, and he is awaiting trial on a robbery charge stemming from a Jan. 1 incident Downtown.
"I really just sat back and watched and learned from his mistakes," Wells said. "I don’t want to fall into the same traps he fell into.
"I don’t know if you can compare us, but I will say I’m in a hurry to get down to Columbus and play football."
But Wells is leaving a lot behind, including his baby brother, James, 12, who is good for more than just cute smiles. For instance, James in recent years has been willing to help Chris with household chores — for a fee.
"He pays me sometimes if I do the dishes for him," James said.
The extra cash is not the only thing James will miss about his big brother.
"I just like the way he’s always nice to us," James said. "He’s a good guy."
Chris Wells, 17, will come to Columbus for a couple of weeks starting in a few days and stay with a cousin while getting a feel for his new surroundings. He’ll return for good in late March and take part in spring drills with the team.
That’s when Paulette Wells hopes her primary words of advice kick in.
"I’ve told him, ‘I want you to watch who you will be around, stay focused and stay humble. Everybody is not always your friend,’ " she said. "He has always been a very giving young man, and some people might want to take advantage of that."
Chris will have a lot to learn as a freshman.
"I don’t expect it to be easy at all," Wells said. "I expect it to be a real learning process when I first go in. I want to learn everything I can about college life."
He knows people will be watching him and that he can’t afford to mess up.
"I really don’t think about that stuff that much, though," he said, "because I really don’t see myself stepping out of line."
His mom hopes it works out that way.
"I’m excited for him because he has always wanted to play football; when he was little he’d always tell me, ‘I’m going to be the best football player ever,’ " Paulette said. "And sure enough, God answered his prayers, and he is doing a good job.
"But I’m nervous, too, because now he won’t be at home. I won’t be able to see what he’s doing all the time. He probably won’t miss me yelling at him all the time, but I’m going to miss him."
[email protected]
1/29
OSU FOOTBALL | 2006 RECRUITING CLASS
Scarlet and gray? Feels just like home
Hotshot prospect Chris Wells is eager to get his college career going
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
<!--PHOTOS--> <table class="phototableright" align="right" border="0"> <!-- begin large ad code --> <tbody><tr><td> <table align="center"> <tbody><tr><td align="center">
KRON — Chris Wells is headed to college a little early, but know this about the young man who might be the next great Ohio State tailback: He’s accustomed to big crowds, and he’s used to the scarlet-and-gray motif.
The modest two-story house where he grew up on Clara Avenue on the south side of Akron has gray vinyl siding with scarlet trim, the colors chosen by his mother, Paulette, and approved by his father, James, for a needed makeover a little more than a year ago.
‘‘Actually, if you look closely at the shingles, they have some scarlet and gray in them, too," Paulette said.
You might even call her a doting mom, if it’s possible to dote on 11 children (six boys, five girls). That helps explains why Chris, who prefers to be called by his nickname ‘‘Beanie," shouldn’t have trouble adjusting to dormitory life or crowds when he reports for spring quarter at OSU.
‘‘I am going to miss having my brothers and sisters around; I always need them to run errands and things for me," he said, laughing. ‘‘No, I’m always messing with them. But I’m also looking forward to moving out and starting this new part of my life."
The Buckeyes are looking forward to it, too. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound running back is considered the No. 1 overall prospect in the country this recruiting season by Scout.com’s Tom Lemming. In OSU’s 2006 recruiting class, which will number as many as 21 on signing day Wednesday, Wells is the gem, a blend of power, speed and plain football savvy.
In many ways, Wells is similar to Maurice Clarett, who graduated from high school ahead of time and enrolled early at OSU in 2002 so he could get a head start on his college career.
Even before he committed to Ohio State almost a year ago, Wells said he was already on the same fast track, earning credit in summer school and with extra work so he could graduate early from Garfield High School.
"Ever since I heard about Maurice Clarett going to college early and then seeing the success he had as a freshman, no matter where I ended up going to college, I wanted to get there early," Wells said.
The Clarett inspiration ends there, though. Clarett’s football career hit the skids after his freshman season, and he is awaiting trial on a robbery charge stemming from a Jan. 1 incident Downtown.
"I really just sat back and watched and learned from his mistakes," Wells said. "I don’t want to fall into the same traps he fell into.
"I don’t know if you can compare us, but I will say I’m in a hurry to get down to Columbus and play football."
But Wells is leaving a lot behind, including his baby brother, James, 12, who is good for more than just cute smiles. For instance, James in recent years has been willing to help Chris with household chores — for a fee.
"He pays me sometimes if I do the dishes for him," James said.
The extra cash is not the only thing James will miss about his big brother.
"I just like the way he’s always nice to us," James said. "He’s a good guy."
Chris Wells, 17, will come to Columbus for a couple of weeks starting in a few days and stay with a cousin while getting a feel for his new surroundings. He’ll return for good in late March and take part in spring drills with the team.
That’s when Paulette Wells hopes her primary words of advice kick in.
"I’ve told him, ‘I want you to watch who you will be around, stay focused and stay humble. Everybody is not always your friend,’ " she said. "He has always been a very giving young man, and some people might want to take advantage of that."
Chris will have a lot to learn as a freshman.
"I don’t expect it to be easy at all," Wells said. "I expect it to be a real learning process when I first go in. I want to learn everything I can about college life."
He knows people will be watching him and that he can’t afford to mess up.
"I really don’t think about that stuff that much, though," he said, "because I really don’t see myself stepping out of line."
His mom hopes it works out that way.
"I’m excited for him because he has always wanted to play football; when he was little he’d always tell me, ‘I’m going to be the best football player ever,’ " Paulette said. "And sure enough, God answered his prayers, and he is doing a good job.
"But I’m nervous, too, because now he won’t be at home. I won’t be able to see what he’s doing all the time. He probably won’t miss me yelling at him all the time, but I’m going to miss him."
[email protected]
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Great articles, guys. I can't wait to meet this young man (not to mention watch him on the football field 
) He sounds like a kid with a great head on his shoulders. Thanks for the read.
) He sounds like a kid with a great head on his shoulders. Thanks for the read.
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OhioState49
Hall of Fame
Chris Wells is going to be a great running back. He should get alot of playing time next year. I see him taking over the job in the 2007 season.
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Moose
Back on track baby!!!!!!!!
Gosh! What can you say about Chris's parents! What a great young man, and athlete. That is the kind of roll model future buckeyes need to see. Chris has a Hunger to play smash mouth football, and has the desire to
help people out. What a class act.
OSUgrad21,
Thanks for the read! I think as fans, we need to see this kind of info to understand the quality of player Coach Tressel and company are targeting. And of course the OSU staff is to notch too!!:osu:
Moose
help people out. What a class act.
OSUgrad21,
Thanks for the read! I think as fans, we need to see this kind of info to understand the quality of player Coach Tressel and company are targeting. And of course the OSU staff is to notch too!!:osu:
Moose
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Not sure how we missed this one, but...
Scout (Free)
1/28
Chris was named Scout.com Player of the Year.
Scout (Free)
1/28
Chris was named Scout.com Player of the Year.
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even if "Beanie" was the 500th ranked RB and the 15,000 ranked player with no stars, he would be a great addition to tOSU with his down to earth attitude and incredible upbringing. Can't wait to see him in scarlet and grey...
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