Top Buckeyes coach channels Jim Tressel's motto for Ohio State running back competition: 'You gotta earn it'
The top of the Ohio State running backs depth chart has yet to be settled as spring practices get closer. While the Buckeyes' third-leading back, James Peoples, would theoretically be in line to be the heir apparent to stars TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, nothing will be handed to him. Ohio State running backs coach Carlos […]
The top of the Ohio State running backs depth chart has yet to be settled as spring practices get closer. While the Buckeyes' third-leading back, James Peoples, would theoretically be in line to be the heir apparent to stars TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, nothing will be handed to him.
Ohio State running backs coach Carlos Locklyn was clear this week in addressing his loaded backfield. Only incoming West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson is proven on the field. Everyone, including Donaldson, three true freshmen, Peoples, and Sam Williams-Dixon, has to work for their role.
"I get it. James was behind the two guys. This microwave society that we have is moving right in. No, you gotta earn it. Like I ain’t giving them nothing. None of them. I’m not giving them anything. That’s just how it is,” said Locklyn.
Peoples carried the ball 49 times for 197 yards and two touchdowns last year. Donaldson was the No. 2 back for the Mountaineers, totaling 734 yards and 11 touchdowns. With Peoples being more of a slasher like JK Dobbins, it'd make sense for this to be a 1-2 punch.
However, Locklyn is right for wanting to see how this room shakes out. He learned how to handle loaded running back rooms while at Memphis and Oregon previously and then again last year.
Learning from Jim Tressel hasn't led him astray yet.
“I believe in the philosophy that Coach Tressel said: You need two and a spare,” Locklyn said. “So I’m hoping we get two and a spare and another spare. We just reload. This university’s been about having great running backs, and I think was that’s what we’re going to have in the room. And it’s on me to set the tone of the kids, the mindset in the room. So that’s on me. So I think we’re going to be good.”
Building a healthy rotation where he's not overly reliant on one individual is critical now that the College Football Playoff spans almost as long as an NFL season. The Buckeyes will likely never rely on one player in the room again, and therefore, it's as important as ever to have a pulse on everyone's skill set.
“I’m still getting to know each one of the kids,” Locklyn said. “Even though we lost two big dogs, James had a good offseason. CJ, still learning, but he’s working hard. Excited about Bo Jackson. We still have Isaiah West and then Turbo Rogers will be here in June. We still have TC Caffey. And Sam is back, so we have a pretty good room. It’s going to be some fun battles.”
