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2011 running backs
Written by Duane Long   
Monday, 01 March 2010 12:41

This was always going to be a short blog post. It borders on embarrassing how bad this class of backs is for 2011 in Ohio. I see Trayion Durham as the best back in the class and I don't see a Big Four offer from him. The Buckeyes are too deep to add a back unless is the kind of player you don't say no to. Durham does not fit the Michigan or Notre Dame offenses. Penn State is the only one of the Big Four who might come in with an offer and I am not aware of any interest from the Nittany Lions at this early stage.

Beyond Durham I like Rico Butler at Hilliard Davidson. Nice looking sattellite guy. He is about the only other guy I have seen that looks like at least a MAC level RB. I just don't see backs that I can say for sure will even be MAC level kids.That is incredible. Even those years where we do not see Big Four backs we see a handful of MAC backs. Not this year. Shocking lack of talent at a position where Ohio is usually strong.

That brings me to the name Jameel Poteat. I saw him a couple of months ago but fans on Bucknuts picked up that he was a possible Buckeye offer. The consensus was to pass as the Buckeyes are loaded as is the class of 2012 at running back in Ohio. I think passing would be a mistake. Poteat is a talent you don't say no to and the idea that we are going to stay this loaded is something we cannot take for granted. We have at least six backs and maybe seven, with only one senior. Something has to give. Saine is a senior and coming off a really good last half of the year. Rod Smith is a superstar waiting to happen. I doubt we see Herron go anywhere this late in his career. He is a solid kid and has worked hard. JT will make sure he is involved. If Corey Brown is a back, that means three players who are very similar, Brown, Jordan Hall and Jamal Berry. We are not going to keep all of them. When a another player at your position is close to the same age and brings the same skill set to the table, it is only natural to look for someplace where you can play. I have always been a big carlos Hyde fan but he is no better as a power runner than Smith, and Smith is the superior all-around back. Smith is so close to being a complete back that all the backs on the roster might at least let the thought of going elsewhere pass through their minds. You take Poteat, or any other elite back, if you can get him.


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Comments (5)Add Comment
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written by dbuckeye44, March 01, 2010
Yes, I am not like most in that I think that it is quite important that we get one good back this year. Next January we know that Saine will not be back and I expect 1-2 of the other backs to transfer. Thus that 6 goes to 3 real quick. Now if Howard should go to Fork Union perhaps we could get him for next year other than that at the present I do not see any good RBs in our sights.
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written by Fifty, March 01, 2010
By definition if ‘Poteat is a talent you don't say no to,’ then well…you don’t say ‘no’

However, I would say we don’t need a RB in this class, especially if not taking one would help us land a couple of great ones in 2012. The only two I can see transferring are JB and maybe Hall and that is only likely if Smith quickly climbs up the depth chart. If that happens Hyde (and maybe Brown) could red-shirt and still have time to compete for the starting position in 3 or 4 years after Smith leaves. Boom is coming back for his senior year and will surely get carries, I doubt Hall would leave and there’s always Martin who looked good in limited action and seems to be OK with being a situational or back-up.

We’ll be in great shape for years to come, if you can add a great back (maybe Poteat is that great back) then do it, but otherwise go for 2 in 2012, our depth is in great shape even if one or two guys transfer which isn’t a foregone conclusion.
Take No RB in '11
written by JarheadBuck, March 01, 2010
Wasting a schollie on a RB in '11 would be a big mistake...and that includes Poteat.

- There's only 1 ball;

- Saine is a Sr.;

- Boom ain't going anywhere at this point;

- Martin stays and gets plenty work at FB when not at RB;

- Hyde invested a year at FU to get here, he stays (we can use him ala Martin if needed);

- Smith is the best thing since sliced bread you say, he'll compete and get carries;

- Hall's already seen the field (and ball) running and throwing...and done well - he stays;

- C. Brown can be moved to DB to get on the field and still be an extreme emergency RB...or he could surprise and see the field ala Hall;

- Berry may suprise and see the field (everyone thought he was all-world out of HS). If commitment/focus is his issue (per Mr. Bucknuts column rumor), why would he go to the trouble of transferring. IF he does transfer, OMG we'd be down to ONLY 4-5 RB for '11;

- If 2 of Hall / Brown / Berry transfer...OMG we're down to 3-4 RB (plus guys like Archie's boy) for '11. That's still plenty;

- We'll make a NC run this year (and maybe next). Not a lot of guys want to walk away from that high probability shot just to get more PT at a lesser program.

The only exception to this rule would be IF (and only if) you know Brown is needed as DB AND both Hall and Berry have said they're looking to transfer AND guys like Griffin are judged not up to the RB task. Definitely losing 3 would make taking a RB in '11 logical (and more sellable to the RB being recruited).
RB's
written by Crazy 8, March 02, 2010
Doesn't anyone actually think this is a big deal? I think losing Berry would be a problem. I know he hasn't played a snap for us yet, but he is the type of back that we have not had around here for awhile, not to mention he is a person of interest in kick returning, which we have a ton of room to improve on.

I would say that only Herron won't leave. Berry, Hyde,Martin, Hall,and Smith are competing for carries. If Corey Brown is in the mix and doesn't end up in the defensive backfield then add one more mouth to feed. Don't forget that Adam Homan and Zach Boren have been given the fullback duties and are more adept at blocking then Martin or Hyde would be this year.

Maybe we should hope to get a good back this year, because we are going to lose at least 2.
...
written by Kasino, March 04, 2010
C Brown might end up as a slot WR too. Kid has a nice well rounded skill set.

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