"Shark Week" at Ohio State's football training camp is wrapping up. Urban has said this week will make or break the 2013 season for the Buckeyes. An "official" two-deep depth chart has not been released, although that could come any way. We will race against the OSU media team and coaching staff and see how close we end up. Without further ado, here is your depth chart for the 2013 Ohio State offense:
QB:
1) Braxton Miller (Junior), aka Xbrax 360. Heisman Trophy favorite, regardless of Manziel's eligibility. Miller will be expected to put up even bigger numbers in Year 2 of Urban Meyer and Tom Herman's spread offense. Last season saw him total more than 3,300 total yards and 28 touchdowns, including some ridiculous running ability. Feel free to look up his 2012 highlights on YouTube for moves not able to be duplicated in video games. He'll also look to improve his 58.8% completion percentage in becoming a more efficient passer.
2) Kenny Guiton, aka Kenny G. The fifth-year senior from Texas has been called "the ol' right hander" by Urban Meyer as well as Mr. Reliable. If Miller misses time because of the beating he takes running the ball, similar to last year, Guiton can be counted on to manage the offense. He led the Buckeyes to a thrilling 4th quarter-tying drive against Purdue and capped off the comeback in OT. There probably isn't a backup QB in America as highly thought of and respected as Kenny G.
Others - Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett
RB:
The Bucks are absolutely loaded at running back. They're seven deep, and Coach Meyer says, "There's not a miss in the group." There is a good mix of scat backs and power backs. With returning senior Carlos Hyde suspended for the first three games, true freshman Dontre Wilson has been receiving a lot of buzz at training camp. Wilson is a speedster in the mold of recent Oregon backs. In fact, he was committed to the Ducks before Chip Kelly bolted for the NFL.
1a) Carlos Hyde* - "El Guapo" won't see the field until at least the fourth game. He rushed for 970 yards last season in just 9 games of work. He's a true power back but has sub-4.5/40 speed to go with it. He set the goal of becoming Meyer's first 1,000 yard running back, but his suspension will likely prevent that.
1b) Jordan Hall - The fifth-year senior was granted a medical redshirt after missing most of last year with various injuries. He's slated to start at RB in game 1, but he will likely move to the H-back/pivot position.
2) Rod Smith - Last season, Smith was all over the field in various spots, returning kickoffs, catching passes, and running all over Nebraska's defense. If he can conquer his fumbling issues, Smith could be poised for a breakout year with Hyde suspended. He's 6'3'', 225 pounds, which isn't the typical Urban Meyer running back.
The rest - Bri'onte Dunn and Warren Ball return. Ball received a lot of buzz in the spring, but both guys haven't gotten a lot of hype in camp. Incoming freshmen are Ezekiel Elliot as well as the previously-mentioned burner Dontre Wilson. Many believe Wilson will be more of an H-back in the mold of Percy Harvin.
WR:
Three guys have separated themselves over the past year - returning starters Corey Brown and Devin Smith are expected to be the starters and returning junior Evan Spencer has impressed the coaches as well. Brown was Mr. Reliable last season, though he struggled to gain many YAC (or is it RAC?) yards. Smith was the big play threat, but often could not break free from tighter coverage. Sophomore Michael Thomas is slotted in that 4th WR position. Chris Fields received praise from coaches at the end of last season as well as in the spring.
The rest - The Bucks are unproven beyond those first four to five guys. Injuries and transfers have left little depth. Incoming freshmen Jalin Marshall and James Clark could see some time as they push the veterans. Other than that, there hasn't been a lot of talk in the two-deep.
H-back:
Aka "The Percy Harvin Role" (real original, media) - This position was almost non-existent in last season's offense. The staff has been grooming Jordan Hall for this role. Other candidates to back him up are Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall.
TE:
Meyer has called this perhaps the best tight end group he's ever had. They are led by Jeff Heuerman and Nick Vannett. Both guys are very solid catching the ball as well as blocking. It is unclear if sophomore Blake Thomas will be playing, as there are rumors out now of a career-ending injury (more to come as it becomes available). Finally, freshman Marcus Baugh will miss the first game for underage drinking and should provide some depth after that.
OLine:
The offensive line was a strength in 2012. Only converted-TE Reid Fragel left (fighting for a spot with the Bengals in the NFL), which opened up the RT position. It appears sophomore Taylor Decker has edged out Chase Ferris for that spot. Next to him at the RG spot will be Marcus Hall, senior. Hall is flanked to his left by three more seniors (wow, 2014 could be rough up front) - center Corey Linsley, LG Andrew Nowell, and LT Jack Mewhort.
Behind the starting five it's a little less clear - the guess here is LT Kyle Dodson, LG Darryl Baldwin, C Jacoby Boren, and RG Tommy Brown to go along with the previously mentioned RT Chase Ferris.
We shall see how this compares to the official Depth Chart in a matter of days. What is clear on offense is that there is a lot of returning starters, and quite a bit of experience in the backups mixed in with some highly-touted freshmen. Expect the Bucks to improve on their B1G-leading 37 points per game from last season.
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