In times of uncertainty, it’s nice to have a security blanket.
Lately, as the offense has struggled to find consistency, quarterback Terrelle Pryor has used the time to develop a sense of security in fellow sophomore and starting wide receiver DeVier Posey.
The pressure felt by Pryor is not on him alone, but the recruiting class he was a part of.
The 2007 recruits were some of the most coveted in OSU’s history, and several of those young players have been thrust into big roles on offense early in their careers.
“I don’t feel like it’s pressure on him, I feel like it’s pressure on everyone,” Posey said. “Even though he’s the quarterback, we’re part of the offense too.”
Posey, like Pryor, was highly touted. The five-star recruit from Cincinnati was seen by many as the “go-to guy” Pryor would need. His rare blend of size, speed and hands allows him to make plays down field with speed or over the middle as a possession receiver.
Posey and Pryor’s connection on the field has become more apparent this season, especially in the last few games.
The duo only hooked up once for a score in the Buckeyes’ first four outings, but Pryor has found Posey for five touchdowns in the last four games.
Although Posey has been Pryor’s main target recently, he knows Pryor is trying to make whatever play he can.
“I feel like the quarterback that he is, he’s just trying to find someone,” Posey said. “I think he finds Dane [Sanzenbacher] in big situations, he finds Ray [Small] in big situations and even Duron [Carter]. I really don’t feel like he’s just looking for me, I feel like he’s just looking for somebody to throw to. To be a great quarterback, you have to spread the ball around, and I feel like he’s trying to do that.”
Posey had a career-high nine receptions and a touchdown against Purdue, but the Buckeyes’ loss to the Boilermakers put a damper on the numbers.
While Posey and Pryor connected quite a bit two weeks ago, it wasn’t the offensive output the Buckeyes needed against a Big Ten opponent.
That has seemed to be the story of OSU’s young offense this season, but Posey and Pryor have become the lead playmakers together.
“We’ve definitely had drives when we’ve been on the same page, it’s just been a little bit bumpy certain games,” Posey said. “But we know what we’re capable of. We’ve shown it in spurts, we’re just hopeful that we can do that more.”
The chemistry between Posey and Pryor has been key for big plays. All of the combo’s touchdowns in the last four games have been for more than 20 yards. Big scores from outside the red zone give the offense momentum.
“It feels good, but it’s better for our offense,” Posey said of becoming more of a playmaker. “As an offense, we needed plays like that. We need big plays for our feeling. Last week was so rough, it just makes us feel better.”
Pryor hooked up with Posey eight times for 161 yards and two scores in OSU’s win over Minnesota. Both touchdowns were bombs hurled by Pryor, who found an open Posey for 62 and 57 yards.
“The touchdowns feel good, but I’m only half of the equation,” Posey said. “Terrelle made great passes. I know he’s definitely relieved, he’s going to be able to relax now. But I know he’s going to want to do more, because that’s just the kind of kid he is. He always wants to get better.”
Pryor’s progression in his second year has been heavily scrutinized by fans and the media. Posey, however, has also been making strides, but his biggest critic may be himself.
“I feel like I still have a lot of learning to do,” he said. “I feel like I can make more plays. I always feel like when I leave the game, I’m not satisfied. I feel like that’s how I have to be. I feel, personally, that I’m nowhere near where I want to be yet. I haven’t reached my full potential. I’m learning a lot and really trying to incorporate that knowledge onto the field.”
Like Pryor, the coaches know that with time, bigger things will come from the young receiver. His big play recently, however, hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“We felt like DeVier was always going to end up being a good player and he’s steadily done that,” coach Jim Tressel said. “He had a little bit of a hamstring or something in preseason where he missed a bunch of time and didn’t develop quite like we’d hoped early on there, but DeVier’s going to be a good player. He’s got a long way to go, but he’s a learner.”
Only sophomores, Pryor and Posey have time to grow and progress together, something that could be key for the Buckeyes‘ future.
