The Ohio State Buckeyes are used to having quality running backs, just not having several of them at one time.
Throughout Jim Tressel’s tenure at OSU, the Buckeyes have usually had a top ball carrier in the backfield, but little depth beyond that.
“As far as numbers, we went a few years with really shaky numbers in 2001, ‘02, ‘03, ‘04,” Tressel said about his lack of depth at tailback. “In ‘05 we were OK.”
This season, however, depth should not be a problem for the Bucks, as they will have an army of quality running backs to carry the football.
Although it looks like OSU should be set at the position, Tressel was quick to point out that running back is the one position where you can never have enough options.
“I hesitate to ever talk about depth at tailback because it takes two sprained ankles and a bruised thigh and a broken hand and you end up being empty again,” Tressel said. “But we’ve got a chance there.”
At the top of the depth chart, OSU returns both players who shared the starting role in 2009.
“Boom” and “Zoom” is how they are most often known. Daniel Herron and Brandon Saine were the players who led OSU to the Rose Bowl when the Buckeye offense became primarily run-oriented late in the season.
Herron can get the tough yards, while Saine is a home-run threat whenever he touches the football. Together, they are a two-headed monster that opposing defenses have struggled to contain, Tressel said.
“I do think we have some real solid guys in ‘Boom’ and ‘Zoom,'” Tressel said. “Those guys are really good.”
Saine took strides last season when Herron went down with an ankle injury and the two combined to be an effective duo in sharing the role of starter.
This spring, however, it has been Saine who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
“I want to be out there,” Saine said. “You see the competition, all the yelling and everybody getting into it. I’m just over here standing and I can’t do anything, saying, ‘Please don’t run into me.'”
Behind the tag team, the Buckeyes have a plethora of quality young players who will be looking to make an impact.
Last year, Jordan Hall found himself thrust into the lineup early in his career. This season, he should continue to improve as one of OSU’s best young talents.
“Jordan, he’s a great back,” Saine said. “He might look small if he walks by you, but he’s one of the strongest of the group. He might have the strongest bench out of all of us. He’s able to hide behind the linemen and he’s real shifty.”
Herron cited Hall’s vision as the one thing he thought set him apart from the rest of the running backs.
In addition to Hall, Jaamal Berry and Carlos Hyde are two other young backs who could be in the mix to get carries.
“Jordan and Jaamal have been good,” Tressel said. “I’ve been very impressed with Carlos Hyde, the way he moved in the winter drills, and he looked very fluid out here for 230-some pounds.”
Behind those five options, the Buckeyes also have Jermil Martin and incoming freshman Roderick Smith, who could figure into OSU’s future plans.
The fact that all of OSU’s options bring something unique to the position is a good thing. The stable of running backs OSU now possesses can help take pressure off quarterback
Terrelle Pryor and the running backs will be a big part of the Buckeyes’ attempt to win the national title.
“It’s safe to say we have a lot of options,” running backs coach Dick Tressel said. “I would go one step further and say lots of good options, so that’s even better.”
