When people think of what Kevin Wilson’s offense looks like, they probably think first about a spread offense that runs tempo. Those are really the only general descriptors you can use, because you can’t say he is run heavy or pass heavy. He doesn’t subscribe to a particular school of thought when it comes to the run or the pass. Instead, his annual subscription has always been wherever the talent lies.
When he had a running back that could handle a workload, he had no problem putting in an order for 2,000 yards rushing. When he had a great passer like Sam Bradford in 2008, his offense averaged 350 yards passing per game. Wilson doesn’t care how it gets done, only that there are players there to do it. He did the same thing at Indiana as well, and with lesser talent.
Regardless of talent, he still put his players in the best position to succeed on offense.
Now he finds himself at Ohio State and Urban Meyer has been very happy with how Wilson and the Ohio State playmakers are meshing.
“It’s been great,” Meyer said. “The one thing that makes Kevin — and really all coaches that are successful — when he had those two great running backs at IU, both of them are doing well in the NFL, Coleman and the other big guy. Howard, right? And he used them, and then when he had the drop-back guy and the skill guy, he’s very good at identifying personnel, and he’s done very good. I’m very pleased with where we’re at offensively right now.”
Every year, Meyer likes to identify his players on offense who need to see the football. While the Buckeyes have lost Curtis Samuel, they actually have more playmakers at their disposal than they’ve had in the past. In other words, the search has been fruitful.
“It’s going well, yeah,” he said. “The unit is the strongest it’s been since I think the ’14 team. Yeah, you pull out a talent like Curtis Samuel, but as far as just guys going, and very serious approach and the leadership in the room is the best we’ve had. And it’s back like the Evan Spencer times when he was here, and guys just shut their mouth and go really, really hard, and they’re making plays all over the field. They’re very good right now.”
A good number for Meyer’s list is usually 10 playmakers. If he has 10, his offenses do well. When he is short of that number, however, things can get difficult at times.
Currently, the Buckeyes believe they are four deep at running back, two or three deep at tight end, and there’s six or seven receivers that will be on the field this year. And then you get to quarterback J.T. Barrett, who will be touching the ball on almost every snap. It would seem that Meyer will be able to get to his 10 playmakers, and then some.
He hasn’t put that list together yet, but he also doesn’t seem too concerned about what it will look like when the time comes. That should be music to Buckeye Nation’s ears.
“I have a number,” he said of his goal. “I haven’t done it yet, but yeah, that’s coming up pretty soon.”
Meyer and his staff will soon be jotting down on a piece of paper those 10 or so names who need to see the ball this season.
Because of Wilson’s ability to find work for talented players, however, don’t be surprised when they have to flip the sheet over in order to add a few more names to the other side.
