What we expect to hear from Buckeyes running backs, tight ends
COLUMBUS — Ohio State tight ends and running backs will meet with the media Wednesday morning after practice inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Every other position group on the roster has spoken. Tony Alford and Keenan Bailey — along with their respective units — will finally have a chance to take center stage to update their progress throughout spring. With just under two weeks until the April 15 spring game, there’s plenty of intrigue surrounding both units.
Lettermen Row is looking at those two position groups and putting together a list of what we’ll be listening for on Wednesday, the final full position media session of spring practice. Let’s dive in.
Updates on TreVeyon Henderson, Evan Pryor
Ohio State has seemed positive about both TreVeyon Henderson and Evan Pryor so far this spring, as both backs are battling back from injuries.
Let’s start with Henderson, who is already beginning to work on individual drills in the last couple of weeks. Ohio State coach Ryan Day claims Henderson has been ‘dying’ to get back into drill work and team exercises, but the Buckeyes are holding off on that until the end of spring. Tony Alford and the Buckeyes want Henderson back soon. His progress will be watched closely in the closing weeks of spring ball.
Pryor, meanwhile, has been sidelined since suffering a severe injury in August training camp. He was seen running off to the side from practice on Saturday, a good sign for the third-year back looking to finally make an impact after having his second season cut short before it began. Ohio State had plans to use Pryor a year ago, and whether he progresses through the rest of spring — and works back onto the field this summer — will determine whether he can find a role in the offense come fall. His progress will be asked about Wednesday.
Buckeyes pleased with state of tight end room
Ohio State received a huge boost this offseason when Cade Stover announced his return as the top tight end on the roster. He chose to come back for his senior season over heading to the NFL. And the Buckeyes have two fourth-year tight ends in the room to join Stover, making this one of the most veteran rooms in the country. That’s important for an offense that wants to utilize multiple tight ends at once.
Joe Royer is expected to play a large role. But the emergence of Gee Scott Jr. in the last two weeks has been a big boon for the Buckeyes.
I recently wrote this about Gee Scott Jr.’s spring so far:
Cade Stover is the unquestionable top tight end for Ohio State. Joe Royer and Gee Scott Jr. are two fourth-year players looking to finally carve out a role alongside Stover this fall. Royer stood in for Stover and performed admirably in the Peach Bowl semifinal loss to Georgia, while Scott ended his season by head-butting a Michigan defender and drawing a back-breaking penalty in that regular-season loss. Maybe that’s why it’s surprising to see Scott having such a productive spring, given how different those two ended their seasons. Royer has done well in spring, too. But Scott is showcasing why the Buckeyes saw it as a benefit to move him to tight end despite being a top receiver recruit coming out of high school. If this is the version of Gee Scott Ohio State is going to get this fall, he’ll have a role in the offense. He looked good for the second straight Saturday.
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Expect tight ends coach Keenan Bailey, in his first year with that title, to speak glowingly about the top of his depth chart.
Are Dallan Hayden, Chip Trayanum progressing well for Ohio State?
From what we have seen so far this spring, both Dallan Hayden and Chip Trayanum have made the most of their increased workload this offseason. TreVeyon Henderson and Evan Pryor are out for the spring, and Miyan Williams is a veteran who doesn’t need the full load of a spring session. Hayden and Trayanum have both looked powerful, explosive and quick in the glimpses of open practice. Have they looked the same when the Woody Hayes Athletic Center doors are closed? That’s the big question. If yes, the Buckeyes have one of the deepest batches of tailbacks in America. If not, then training camp will be another opportunity for each of them to prove themselves.
Are young tight ends on track to help future of Buckeyes offense?
The Buckeyes have already seen growth from some of their young tight ends this spring, as freshman pass-catcher Jelani Thurman has turned heads early in his career. But can he be more than a pass-catching threat? Can he do what Ohio State asks of its tight ends?
Second-year tight end Bennett Christian, meanwhile, has been spotted catching passes after practice and getting extra field work in multiple times this spring as he progresses in his second spring at Ohio State. He is a name to watch — if Bailey says that Christian has made strides this offseason. And then there’s third-year tight end Sam Hart, who is rarely in the spotlight but has been working toward a role in the offense.
The top of the Ohio State depth chart appears to be set at tight end. Can one of the others make a move for playing time this fall? Or can they position themselves to compete for a spot later in their respective careers?
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