Is Jalin Marshall a Better Option at H-Back Than Dontre Wilson?

When Dontre Wilson arrived at Ohio State in the fall of 2013, it didn't take long for the hype to grow.

He was just an undersized true freshman, but his speed and playmaking ability blew his teammates away and eventually—or rather, inevitably—drew comparisons to former Florida great Percy Harvin.

“Dontre looks to be a special player,” former Buckeyes safety Christian Bryant said in July of 2013, according to Doug Lesmerises of The Plain Dealer. “With the speed, and his agility, just when he catches the ball, you can just see how he moves. He's going to be a special player.”

Fast-forward 16 months, though, and it's redshirt freshman Jalin Marshall who's producing the kind of highlights everyone expected from Wilson. In fact, Marshall has been so explosive filling in full time for Wilson—who broke his foot against Michigan State three weeks ago—that it raises a legitimate question.

Is Marshall a better option for Ohio State's offense than Wilson?

The person playing the H-back position at Ohio State draws so much attention (from both defenses on the field and media off of it) because of its pivotal role in Meyer's offense. The Buckeyes didn't have anyone with the right skill set for the position in 2012, and Ohio State's offenses suffered as a result.

That's why Meyer hit the recruiting trail so hard that year. The Buckeyes desperately needed a Harvin-like player who could stretch the field and put pressure on opposing defenses. That's when Wilson and Marshall, both of whom were rated 4-star prospects by 247 Sports, came into the fold.

Wilson got the early praise and attention last year, but Marshall is currently contributing at a level that's impossible to ignore.

Will Meyer decide to feature one over the other when Wilson fully recovers from his foot injury? 

Tale of the Tape 

Credit: David Regimbal

Wilson came into the season as Ohio State's top H-back after locking down a starting spot during spring camp, and he flashed his versatility in the season opener against Navy. The sophomore touched the ball eight times and produced 89 total yards for an offense that struggled to find its footing in quarterback J.T. Barrett's first start. 

But Wilson failed to produce consistent numbers as the season wore on. In Week 2 against Virginia Tech, he was absent—outside of one brilliant 40-yard catch—in a game that Ohio State needed a consistent playmaker. In fact, he's only produced more than 45 total yards in two games this season (against Navy and Cincinnati), none of which have come against Big Ten competition. 

Of course, his up-and-down numbers could be a reflection of his rotation with Marshall. While both were healthy, Meyer constantly plugged one or the other into the offense in an effort to maximize Ohio State's playmaking potential while keeping opposing defenses on their heels. 

That shouldn't discount what Marshall has done as the primary H-back over the last two weeks. 

Much was made of Marshall's two fumbles against Minnesota, which cost Ohio State at least seven points and directly led to 14 for the Gophers. Those two costly mistakes cast a shadow over an otherwise excellent performance—the redshirt freshman accounted for 107 total yards and a touchdown on just six touches.

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

After the game, Meyer was happy with the win, but he was concerned about Marshall's turnovers.

“Obviously, it’s got to stop, or eventually, he’ll lose his playing time,” Meyer said, according to Tim May, Bill Rabinowitz and Jess Myers of The Columbus Dispatch. He later added that it's not Ohio State's philosophy to pull a player the moment he makes a mistake. Meyer wants his players to be aggressive and make plays. 

With another chance, that's exactly what Marshall did. 

Trailing an upset-minded Indiana team 20-14 midway through the third quarter last Saturday, Marshall stepped up and saved Ohio State's season. He returned a punt 54 yards for a touchdown to help the Buckeyes retake the lead, and then scored on touchdown receptions of six, 15 and 54 yards to blow the game wide open. It was the first four-touchdown performance in a single game for a freshman since Dez Bryant in 2007, an accomplishment that earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. 

Marshall has thrived in a featured role, leading the team in receptions (10), receiving yards (190) and touchdown receptions (four) over the last two weeks. No other Ohio State pass-catcher has more than 75 yards and a touchdown during that same span.

Does that mean Marshall should be featured once Wilson returns from injury? The two playmakers, who coincidentally room together, are constantly competing for playing time.

“Me and Dontre are always competing for a spot to make a play, but I always feel like if I’m out there or if he’s out there, we can both make the big play,” Marshall said, according to Blake Williams of BuckeyeSports.com. “It will be fortunate if that’s me.”

If he continues to play at this level, it will be fortunate for Ohio State as well. 

All stats via NCAA.com.

David Regimbal covers Ohio State football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.