From the practices in pads so far.......These thoughts are from an "insider" from a premium site. If I need to do something or no post these let me know guys! I added the () so everyone would know what they were "starred" out of HS.
Todd Boeckman- Is the guy. He has experience. Can throw a great deep ball. Can move in the pocket. Barring a collapse, he should be able to guide OSU to a 7-1 or 8-0 start. Then it gets interesting. I'm hearing the same thing as Adam Jardy, all 3 should get time early on. Henton and Robbie are battling for #2. Bauserman is a QB for a later time. Not this year. If things fall apart early, and OSU is 5-3 or 4-4, then it becomes a free for all at the QB spot. I don't see that happening. All 3 QB's need to get better for OSU to make a run. Look for JT to stick with 1 guy and give him a ton of work and reps to get him where he needs to be. Boeckman is that guy for now.
Chris Wells- IS NOT HURT despite reports to the contrary. Got popped in the hoot and holler but finished practice that day. I don't have an official weight, but I'm hearing he's in fantastic shape and that 240 could be accurate. It's no secret that 3 of our early season opponents worked the OSU summer camp. Their entire staffs. All 3 staffs interact with the OSU staff as friends. Jim Tressel told a coach from one of the 3 schools that he wasn't upset that Beanie got dinged in the spring because he didn't want his defense to have to tackle him every day. I asked if JT was "gaming" him and he said no, that Tres was being honest. Not good news for OSU opponents. Beanie should have a monster year if he stays healthy. He's a lot better than last year when he was pretty freakin' good.
Brandon Saine (#11 RB, 4*, 2007)- The speed is impressive on film and from the stands. It's unbelievable on the field. It's hard to imagine someone this big running as fast as he does. Not ready to play TB yet, but he's getting there. He IS ready to be on the field in specialty situations, looking to isolate him on a LB. He won't red-shirt and should make an impact early on in certain sets. He needs to learn the game. Right now he's simply faster than everyone else. That's good enough for now.
Connor Smith (#4 OL, 5*, 2006)- Will get PT early on. It's his time to be in the rotation. He's strong and aggressive. Pass blocking will tell the tale but he's worked himself into favor with the coaches. He is as hard working a kid as is on the roster. He has earned the right to play. If an injury occurs, Smitty is The Guy. As it is he will get time on the field in the early games. He just might stay there, too, if someone else isn't performing. Browning is right there too. These 2 guys will get early opportunities. Cordle and Person are starting for a reason, but they're being pushed. Rehring will be the starter at the other guard spot and he's doing fine now.
Jake Ballard (#6 TE, 4*, 2006)- Is entrenched as a TE. I argued with Bob L. about how I thought Ballard would eventually move to tackle. Bob said No Way, tight end all the way. Bob was right. Ballard isn't beating out Rory Nicol, but he's pushing him. Ballard should see the field a lot this year. OSU could be in a lot of 2-TE sets and this puts him on the field. If Ballard continues to progress he will play Sunday football in a few years. Not as fast as Nicol down the seam, but a solid receiver and a great blocker.
Which WR had the highest average yards per catch in 2006 ?????????? Ginn? Gonzo?? Nope. Hartline. Brian is a legit deep threat and is in remarkable shape. JT keeps pointing him out for a reason and it's all good. Hartline blows up totally this year. He's still an under the radar guy and that's good for him. I bragged about him for 3 years and now people will see why. I might be a homer but I'm not putting my name out there on every Stark County kid that comes to OSU. No Devin Jordan. No Justin Zwick. No Tyler Everett. I brag on Hartline because I believe in him. I think he showed last year why OSU offered him a scholarship. This year he will become a big-time target. He is as DRIVEN an athlete that is on the roster. He also has NFL talent. That combination always succeeds. Always.
Robo (Brian Robiskie, 2* WR, 2005, OSU or Miami, FL)has worked hard on his YAC. His speed and elusiveness became his focus. He's also stronger and can dominate CB's physically. He is a great 3rd down target and great in the red zone. He is the son of an NFL coach and knows what it takes to succeed. Both Hartline and Robo have higher skill levels than Gonzo. If Boeckman, or Henton or Robbie, come up big, so will Hartline and Robo. No worries with these 2 guys. None. Hazell called them the law firm of Brian and Brian as true freshmen. He knew what he had. Now they get their chance to show the nation.
NOW FOR THE DROP-OFF.
Small (Ray, #11 CB, 4*, 2006)needs to be more consistent. Practice habits, film study, work ethic, etc. etc. He should be a more mature player this year. He's a year older. There is concern about nagging injuries. He had a solid spring and needs to continue. He's got a small injury now. He needs to be on the field. Every so often he does something that makes everyone go "Wow." He needs to be more consistent in making the solid, routine play that Hartline and Robo always do. He needs to be more dependable that he will be there when needed. The jury is still out. The next 13 days will tell where he is for 2007. He needs to make a move.
Lyons (Devon, #17 S, 3*, 2004)is following in the Roy Hall tradition of building a career. Always looks good, but is injured often and never seems to make it on the field. Lyons has talent. He's a kid that could blossom overnight. He hasn't yet. He's a big, strong possession-type WR. There is an opportunity for him to get on the field this year. He's a good kid who works hard but hasn't put it all together yet. He needs to go now because there is pressure coming from the frosh. He needs to prove he can hold up physically and make plays. So far... so good.
Dukes (Albert, #24 WR, 4*, 2004)has talent. No doubt about it. It's starting to become realized but he has a way to go. He drops balls he shouldn't and doesn't always run the right routes. That has to stop. Today. He's another kid that has a chance to see the field in 2007. He's got 2 weeks to put himself there. He needs to "play fast." He is fast, but he doesn't always play fast. He's the offensive equivalent of Jamario O'Neal. So far he's doing good. He needs to keep it up to hold off the young kids.
T.Washington (Taurian, #40 WR, 4*, 2007)is causing some heads to be turned. Realistically he should red-shirt, but if the above 3 guys don't all cut it, then Taurien will have to play early. Great physical skills and a hard worker. He can and will play at OSU. The question is when. If he tears it up the next 2 weeks, they might be forced to play him. The best players will play. If he's even with the above-3, then he should red-shirt. He's inexperienced, but very talented.
Dane S. (Sanzenbacher, #58 WR, 4*, 2007)is getting mixed reviews from everyone I talked with. Some love him. Some think he's an automatic red-shirt. He has enough talent to play at OSU some day. I think he needs a red-shirt year and needs to add strength. I think Robo should have red-shirted his first year. Why blow a year to catch 3 passes and run down on a few kickoffs ??? Dane is very smart and a heckuva lot faster than people realize. He is fighting to put himself in the mix. The 2 frosh WR's have no "cool" about them. They're wide-eyed pups looking to find a spot. Great attitude kids usually find a way. They wouldn't be here without enough talent.
