Bye Beanie, Bring on the Backups: How the 2009 Buckeye Running Game Will Fare

The success of the 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes and their 10-3 record can possibly be measured by one man, running back Chris "Beanie" Wells. 

In each of the Buckeyes' 10 wins, Wells either contributed and/or could not be stopped, or he did not play and the opposition was not enough to take the "Beanie-less" Buckeyes down.

In the first of their three defeats, coming at the hands of the Southern California Trojans, Wells did not play due to a nagging injury he suffered when he was taking a hand-off in the Buckeyes' season opener against Youngstown State. The end result was a 35-3 drubbing by the Men of Troy.

Their second loss, a 13-6 struggle against Penn State, was said to be the result of a couple of Terrelle Pryor turnovers, and while the Buckeyes' young quarterback essentially lost the game for them, Wells did not help the cause. He managed only 55 yards on 22 rushes, and was constantly stuffed at the line of scrimmage.

In their final game of the season, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, the Buckeyes had their hearts ripped out when Texas quarterback Colt McCoy led a fourth-quarter comeback and threw the winning touchdown, capping off a 24-21 win.

Wells rushed for over 90 yards in the first half, and it seemed as though his success would continue into the second half.

But due to an apparent concussion, Wells was limited in the second half and was left to watch his team regain the lead only to blow it late in the fourth quarter.

Just this past Thursday, Wells announced he will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft. This decision probably left many fans, coaches, and teammates upset and down. But to Coach Jim Tressel, it was a no-brainer.

"If it were me, it wouldn't be tough," Tressel said weeks before the Fiesta Bowl. He later stated in interviews, that he feels Wells should be a Top Five pick.

Now I know I do not speak for all of Buckeye nation when I say Beanie should return, because I know many fans think he has done all he can and cannot increase his draft stock anymore.

It is still a little strange to me that Tressel is so enthusiastic about Wells' departure. Replacing a player like Wells is not always easy, but Tressel is known as an excellent recruiter and the Buckeyes' running game should be fine without their "star child."

It will surely not be the same, but these are the players who will step in for Beanie and help the running game.

Terrelle Pryor

The versatile quarterback will probably spend most of his off-season polishing his passing game, but come next season Pryor's speed will still be dangerous and will greatly contribute to the Buckeye's success.

Dan "Boom" Herron

Herron will most likely be the starting running back next year. He is smaller than Beanie and is a good east-west runner, but he also likes to plunge up the middle.

In Wells' absence this year, Herron proved he could carry the load. He was the team's third leading rusher, behind Pryor and Wells.

Brandon "Zoom" Saine

Limited this year due to injury and other's playing time, Saine was a highly-recruited back his senior year in high school and was Ohio's "Mr. Football."

Look for Saine to get more time at running back, with most of it coming on third down. He will also return kicks and sometimes line up in the slot, as he has very good hands for a back.

Jaamal Berry

The "crown jewel" of this year's recruiting class for the Buckeyes, Berry is about the size of Herron.

He is ESPN's third-rated running back in the country and while his senior season was interrupted at times by injuries, Berry still drew attention from many top schools.

He will compete for the starting job, but will most likely end up sharing time with Saine as Herron's backup.

Carlos Hyde

Hyde,the second best running back recruited by Ohio State, has the same dimensions as Wells, and like Wells he is a down-hill runner who loves to go up the gut of the offensive line.

Many analysts project Hyde to turn into more of a fullback, but his size will be needed for goal-to-go situations. Hyde will likely get less reps than Berry and Herron, but will line up in the fullback position in the "I"-formation.

Other possibilities to fill in and help the cause are Jordan Hall, Justin Green, and Storm Klein. The other remaining backs currently on the roster have all combined for little-to-no playing time and small statistics.

Hall was Pryor's teammate in high school and can also return kicks and line up in the slot.

Green is an athlete, and could possibly play defensive back, but is better and more dangerous on the offensive side.

Klein is another athlete who can carry the ball but is better at linebacker.

Wells certainly left his mark at Ohio State. Before he broke out as a star at Ohio State, many fans were worried that former Buckeye Antonio Pittman's early departure to NFL would put more pressure on the passing game's shoulders.

Wells certainly silenced the critics, and if this trend continues, any one of the aforementioned backs may be in the same position Wells was a few years down the line.