PARRIS CAMPBELL READY TO PLAY H-BACK ROLE, LEAD OHIO STATE WIDE RECEIVERS
Parris Campbell doesn’t consider himself to be a Curtis Samuel clone, but he is embracing the opportunity to take over Samuel’s role in Ohio State’s offense.
"On the field, I’m Parris Campbell," Campbell said Thursday. "I’m not Curtis Samuel. But I’m definitely the H-back of the offense."
After taking over the H-back role in Ohio State’s offense last year, Samuel had a breakout year, leading the Buckeyes with 74 receptions for 865 yards and seven touchdowns while also running the ball 97 times for an additional 771 yards and eight touchdowns.
That enabled Samuel to declare early and be a second-round pick in the NFL draft, opening the door for Campbell to slide into his H-back role.
While Campbell doesn’t want to directly compare himself to Samuel, he does have his sights set on having a breakout year of his own.
"I’m just looking to have a great year," Campbell said. "In whichever way that comes, it’s going to come."
Ohio State wide receivers coach Zach Smith says it’s Campbell’s "time to go be that guy."
"He’s always been a role player, always been a really good player, but he’s never had to be the guy," Smith said. "You had a Mike Thomas, you had a Curtis Samuel. Now it’s Parris’ turn to be the guy. Every year we’ve had one receiver that is kind of your dude. And I’d like it to be more than that, I think it’s got a chance to be more than that, but it’s Parris’ time to go be the guy on offense."
Fellow fourth-year junior wide receiver Terry McLaurin said Campbell "looks really comfortable" in his new role.
"I think he’s going to emerge in that role," McLaurin said. "If you need him to be outside, he can be outside too, but I feel like at H, that’s really his home and he’s really owned that spot this year."
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