Centers of Attention
Even though Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer has a very publicized quarterback battle on his hands, he has already stated several times that the competition at center is more of a concern for him.
The Buckeyes have had the nation’s best center each of the past two seasons in Pat Elflein and then Billy Price. Now they have four players vying for the starting job, only one of whom has any actual game experience at the position.
Fifth-year senior Brady Taylor has played the position for most of his career, seeing action here and there over the years. Fourth-year junior Matt Burrell has moved from guard to center in an effort to increase the competition. He has been joined by redshirt freshman Josh Myers, who spent last season redshirting while at guard. True freshman Matthew Jones may very well be the future of the position, and he is already on campus gaining experience.
So what have those four shown the quarterbacks to whom they are snapping?
“I mean that’s really hard to follow, especially when you have Pat Elflein, Billy Price,” said redshirt sophomore Dwayne Haskins. “Brady Taylor was my center last year for the twos and he’s done a great job. Everybody else behind him Josh, Matt, and Matt Jones, they’re all doing a great job. It’s hard playing center because the quarterback and the offensive line gotta be able to call off the identifications and change up the protections. It’s hard for them as well but they’re doing great.”
Times They Aren’t A-Changin’
Ohio State has handed out over a dozen offers to quarterbacks in the 2019 recruiting cycle. Not all of them are listed as the “dual threat” variety, however. In fact, the mutual interest between the Buckeyes and the nation’s No. 2 pro-style quarterback Grant Gunnell has some people wondering if Ohio State football is in the midst of changing their quarterback preferences.
Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ryan Day says that is not the case. It turns out, nothing has changed in what the Buckeyes are looking for in a quarterback.
“Really, and I’m honest when I say this, we’re looking for competitors, guys who are leaders, tough, football I.Q. and decision makers,” he said. “If you hit those categories and you have enough talent, then we’re going to find a way and we’re going to find the right plays that fit you. We’re not looking for a certain type of quarterback.”
Front Four Ever Young
Despite the losses on the defensive line from last season, there are still plenty of veterans returning. Guys like Robert Landers and Dre’Mont Jones are in charge of leading a group of defensive tackles that is much younger than it was a year ago.
The main thing asked of each of the young guys is that they go full speed and give complete effort.
There is good news on that front.
“That’s probably the biggest thing that really stands out to me with them,” Landers said. “They work as hard as they possibly can. They have some days where it’s like ‘Oh my God, it’s moving so fast, it’s moving so fast.’ But they are also willing to grab onto me and Dre’Mont and Davon Hamilton and hold on and still go with us. I love their enthusiasm and intensity and their hunger to be great.
Mullet Over?
Urban Meyer and Ryan Day are going to measure every factor when it comes to finding a starting quarterback. Everything is charted. Scores are kept for everything. They watch the effort, the leadership, the toughness, and every other aspect that they can think of.
One area where they aren’t concerned, however, is with the quarterback’s hair. Dwayne Haskins, Joe Burrow, and Tate Martell will have to win the job based on arm talent, not hair talent, and it’s too bad for Burrow.
“Oh, well if that was 100%, it would be me no question,” Burrow said. “I have some pretty great flow right now. I might have to embrace my inner-Appalachian roots here and get a mullet in the coming months. We’ll see about that one.”