Ginn, scheduling and autographs.....
Here's a pretty decent article from today's Dayton Daily....
http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/osu/daily/0807osufbnotes.html
Ginn pushing for move
Record-setting returner wants a shot at OSU's vacant DB spot
By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News
COLUMBUS | Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will be looking to fill a vacant cornerback spot when fall camp begins today, and one high-profile player already has submitted his application.
Sophomore Ted Ginn Jr., who caught 25 passes last season and set the OSU career record for punt-return TDs with four, has pleaded with Tressel for additional duty on defense while dropping subtle hints with the rest of the staff.
"He'll go into the defensive (meeting) room and pencil his name in at corner," Tressel said with a laugh.
Ginn was the USA Today defensive player of the year as a senior at Cleveland Glenville High School after intercepting eight passes and returning five for TDs.
He will add kickoff returns to his repertoire this year. And while he did play some corner in man-to-man coverages during the spring game, Tressel is making no promises.
"The only thing I know for sure is that you don't want to overwork him because it's a long season," Tressel said. "The other thing I know is if you ask him if he's tired, the answer is no. I think we have to be smart."
The Buckeyes have one solid corner in junior Ashton Youboty, who was the Big Ten co-leader in interceptions last year with four. Senior Tyler Everett, a converted safety, is listed first on the depth chart at the other spot.
"I always felt Tyler was a little more of a true corner than he was a true safety," Tressel said. "But he's so smart, he can play both."
Ginn had such a stirring freshman year that few remember he was little more than an afterthought on offense for much of the season. He had just three receptions and no TDs in his first four games.
But Tressel pointed out that even cant-miss prospects have some trouble getting acclimated to college.
"When kids come in, they need to prove two things: one, I can play at this level and, two, I can go to school at this level — because it's a step up in both arenas," Tressel said.
"As extraordinary as he was on the field, he was even more extraordinary (in the classroom)."
USC, others coming
The Buckeyes will play Texas the next two seasons, and future schedules are packed with other marquee games.
OSU plays Washington in 2007, Southern Cal in '08 and '09, Miami (Fla.) in 2010 and '11, California in '12 and '13 and Virginia Tech in '14 and '15.
Tressel has been an advocate of stiff nonconference challenges since his days at Youngstown State.
"I remember in '89 calling my athletic director and saying, 'I need you to schedule Stephen F. Austin and Georgia Southern. They're playing for the championship this year. And if we're ever going to be champions, we need to play teams like that,' " Tressel recalled. "He said, 'Are you crazy?' "
The Penguins went 1-2-1 against Stephen F. Austin and 2-0 against Georgia Southern while winning four Division I-AA national titles.
"I think those games got us prepared to run the table four times," Tressel said.
Players to sign
OSU players will be available for autographs Thursday from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. at French Field House, which is located next to St. John Arena.
Contact Doug Harris at 225-2125.