bnckeye27;1405546; said:
bnckeye27;1405546; said:
leroyjenkins;1405576; said:
OSU football: Small stays to show he's not 'the bad guy'
Punished twice last season, receiver considered NFL draft
Saturday, April 18, 2009
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Senior Ray Small is competing for the No. 2 receiver spot.
It would have been easy for Ray Small to do what he does best: run away from people.
In January, the receiver said he seriously considered giving up his senior season at Ohio State and declaring for the NFL draft. Maybe it was time to put Columbus in his rearview mirror.
Since coming to OSU, he had endured the humiliation of having his jersey number taken away, then serving a two-game suspension for which his father publicly blasted the Buckeyes' coaching staff.
At that point, the "go" route looked mighty tempting.
"It was a thought going through the mind, but I fought through it," Small said yesterday. "I just couldn't leave like that. I couldn't leave as the bad guy."
If Small were a cat, he would be on about his sixth life by now.
He arrived in 2006 and played behind Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez. His most memorable moment was getting knocked silly by a Minnesota defensive back. The next season, he was a solid No. 3 receiver behind Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline.
Then his troubles began. Last spring, coach Jim Tressel ordered the jersey number stripped (Small was No. 4, now he's 82) and held him out of most of spring drills.
The reason never was explained, but it's safe to say that Small was not taking his schoolwork seriously.
He seemed to have put that behind him as the season began. He had a 45-yard punt return in the opener against Youngstown State, then a 69-yard return for a touchdown the next week against Ohio University.
He spoke of redemption. He spoke too soon.
In November, Small was suspended. His father, Ken, said it was because Small was late for a meeting. Ken then accused the coaches of picking on his son and intentionally trying to ruin Ray's career.
Ray said he was blindsided by his father's reaction.
"Everybody was calling me, like, 'Your dad is on ESPN,' and I'm like, 'What? What are you talking about?' " Ray said. "I was completely clueless about the situation. He went to the media on his own."
OSU notebook: Small flashes his big-play ability
Sunday, April 26, 2009
By Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Kyle ROBERTSON | DISPATCH
Ray Small makes a catch between Orhian Johnson (19) and Chimdi Chekwa (5). Small had four receptions for 74 yards and a TD. | More photos from the spring game
Time will tell whether Ohio State senior receiver Ray Small has found a permanent place outside of coach Jim Tressel's doghouse. But yesterday, he delivered a big blow for the Gray in its 23-3 win over the Scarlet.
Small caught a seam pass from Terrelle Pryor, then cut inside and turned it into a 42-yard touchdown play that gave the Gray a 17-0 halftime lead. He avoided safety Rocco Pentello and linebacker Austin Spitler on the way to the end zone.
Small had four catches for 74 yards.
"That's something Ray always has had the ability to do," said Scarlet safety Anderson Russell, who wasn't close enough to get in on the play. "He's not the biggest guy (5 feet 11, 180 pounds) in the world, but he's probably the best big-play threat on our team."
OCNut;1505312; said:
Buckskin86;1505292; said:
JT also said a few minutes later I believe, that he expected everyone to be okay for fall ball. So even though grades aren't officially out, perhaps Mr. Tressel knows already that Ray did well enough??? I imagine the coaches and advisors were watching Ray pretty closely throughout the summer quarter.
buckeyes_rock;1505780; said:
sparcboxbuck;1505816; said:I imagine you are correct as well. While I did not teach at tOSU, I did teach at a D1 program and had athletes as students. Depending on the student and depending on the coach, I would get pinged about attendance and performance. My classes were always 8:00 AM stats classes. You only showed up to that class if you (a) wanted to be there, or (b) HAD to be there. Hence, I got super motivated kids.
2009 NFP scouting series: Ohio State
Buckeyes prospects worth watching this season.
Wes Bunting
July 28, 2009
This summer, the National Football Post is breaking down every team in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) to identify players who might warrant interest from NFL teams in the 2010 draft.
The Ohio State Buckeyes again have a talented group of NFL prospects and are definitely one of the favorites to capture the Big Ten title.
Ray Small
AP
Ray Small
Offense
Ray Small: No. 82, WR, 5-11, 185
A gifted start-and-stop athlete who has the ability to change directions and crank it up to full speed quickly. Displays a good first step off the line and possesses the vertical speed to get down the field. Tracks the ball well over his outside shoulder and showcases the coordination to adjust to the throw. Is very sudden out of his breaks and possesses the body control to stop on a dime when driving corners up the field and separate underneath. Is dangerous with the ball in his hands and can create after the catch.
However, he isn?t a natural plucker and lets the ball consistently get into his body. Lacks physicality in any area of the game and can be easily rerouted off the line or down the field. Struggles recognizing coverages and isn?t a real polished route runner when asked to snap off routes down the field.
Impression: Is still developing as a receiver. Has the tools to separate at the next level, but hasn?t shown the willingness to put it all together.
sammyjenkis;1505373; said:
