Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer spoke with the media following practice on Monday. He provided updates on his team and the various position battles. Here are the highlights.
+ Meyer has a good idea of what his team is this year, but doesn’t want to share it. He doesn’t want to throw out a bunch of coachspeak. He likes where the team is right now. Today was a bit sluggish. Classes are beginning. “I don’t think we have a great team yet. I like where we’re at.”
+ Full into Indiana game planning starting today. Also some Army work, but the focus is on IU.
+ Mike Weber ran full speed today and is good to go. J.K. Dobbins will play. They’ll call his family this week and tell him to get ready to come see him play.
+ Wednesday is when they’ll start making calls on starters. Branden Bowen is in the mix at right guard.
+ Trevon Grimes is much improved. He is right on the bubble of traveling or not. That will be determined the next two days. His last 10 days have been much better.
+ The position group that has caught his eye from the beginning to now, the receivers and the offensive line are the two most improved. Branden Bowen and Michael Jordan have really improved. Damon Webb is a really good player now. He is playing at a high level.
+ Last year the deep ball was high risk and not much reward. Defenses loaded the box on them and OSU was still able to run the ball. They haven’t executed the passing game as well and has been a huge priority to go down the field.
+ There have been conversations with the team on what happened in Charlottesville. “We talked about things. There’s tough things going on right here.” That was the purpose of some of the Live Life Wednesdays this offseason. “Can’t control Virginia but you can control what goes on here with your family.”
+ The boundary safety is still between Erick Smith and Jordan Fuller. Right guard is still up in the air. Sean Nuernberger is still a little bit ahead of Blake Haubeil at kicker.
+ Kevin Wilson spits plays out really fast. He and Ryan Day work very well together.
+ Punt return was poor last year. Teams have changed, so it’s hard to block punts nowadays. So there is now more emphasis on the return game. It’s K.J. Hill and Demario McCall returning punts right now.
+ Asked if Ezekiel Elliott’s perceived troubles reflects poorly on Ohio State, Meyer said no. They are in touch with him and his family. He spent time with the family yesterday. There were issues when he was at Florida, but there are no issues here at Ohio State.
+ Tracy Sprinkle will probably be a captain. They’ll announce that tonight. That’s how much he means to this team. “It’s great to have him back, plus he’s a very good player.”
+ Dre’Mont Jones is one of the most improved players. He was playing very well at the end of the season last year and has picked right up and is playing even better.
+ J.K. Dobbins is a mature freshman. Like Raekwon McMillan when he came in. Dobbins is an excellent student. “He’s a real one and we’re glad he’s here.”
+ There is a plan for the backup quarterback but it has not been finalized yet.
+ Nick Bosa didn’t practice much before the season a year ago, but “he is ridiculous right now.” “I need some more Bosas.”