Ohio State Football: Who Will Start at Running Back for the Buckeyes in 2011?
Most of the talk surrounding the depth chart of Ohio State has revolved around the quarterback position, with Terrelle Pryor being suspended for the first five games of next year. But last year's 1000-yard back, Dan Herron, will also miss the first five games, leaving an open competition for the job.
Ohio State has one of the nation's deeper backfields, despite not signing one running back in this years recruiting class.
The Buckeyes will rely heavily on the run with the uncertainty's at the quarterback position, so expect multiple backs to be used.
Which one will get the nod as "starter"?
1. Jaamal Berry
1 of 5Jaamal Berry was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school who redshirted his freshman year and showed flashes of greatness last year in limited action. Berry is a quick, elusive type of running back that can get outside and go, as he showed when he had a 67-yard scamper against Eastern Michigan early in the 2010 season.
Berry only had 32 carries last year, but gained 266 yards, averaging over eight yards per carry.
To this point, I would say Berry has the best chance to start at the beginning of the season, but he will have multiple running backs nipping at his heels for carries.
2. Jordan Hall
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Jordan Hall is a similar runner to Jaamal Berry, but put up less yards with more carries then Berry last year, averaging around five yards per carry.
In winter workouts, it was reported that Hall looked like the fastest of the backs and was making the most out of his reps, with him and Berry pushing each other for every carry.
Berry gets the nod over Hall, as Berry has a better build and offers more as an all-around running back, but Hall will get his chances.
3. Roderick Smith
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Rod Smith, who redshirted last year, comes in with the most potential of any back and could be the dark horse to get the starting job come September.
Smith is impressive physically at 6'3, 220 pounds and is a punishing runner, much like Buckeye great Beanie Wells. Smith rushed for over 6,600 career yards in high school and accounted for 68 total touchdowns.
It will be hard for Ohio State to not throw the bruising young back into the mix because of how nicely he would compliment either Jaamal Berry or Jordan Hall.
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4. Carlos Hyde
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Carlos Hyde is the biggest back on the Buckeye roster at 6'0", 240 pounds. Hyde rushed for over 1,600 yards with 16 touchdowns his senior year at Naples High in Florida.
During winter workouts, it was reported that Hyde appeared a bit winded and out of shape, so there's a little concern there for Hyde, but that's what winter workouts are for.
I don't see Hyde beating out Berry, Hall or Smith but Tressel likes big physical backs, so more then likely, he will have opportunities to prove his worth in the coming months.
Who Gets the Job?
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I look for Jaamal Berry to be the starter, but I expect Hall and Smith to get carries as well.
Much like last year, when Tressel split carries between Herron and Saine the first few games before Herron got the carries, I look for a similar situation this year. It wouldn't surprised me if by week three, Rod Smith was the featured back of the offense because that's how good I think he'll be.
It will be interesting to see if the Buckeyes are having success running the ball the first five games and how Dan Herron will fit in, as I think the Buckeyes will get the ball rolling fine without him.
With such great depth at running back, this is a dilemma any coach is glad to have.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
