Ohio State Football: How will J.K. Dobbins and Demario McCall be used?
What roles will Ohio State backs J.K. Dobbins and Demario McCall fill this year?
The Ohio State backfield is loaded this season, but there are two young players Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson will have to find reps for. Those two backs are J.K. Dobbins and Demario McCall.
Dobbins is a true freshman who has impressed everyone on the coaching staff since he enrolled at Ohio State in January. McCall is a sophomore who is a big play waiting to happen at any moment.
Both players were vying for the backup role to returning starting running Mike Weber in the spring. However, Dobbins began fall camp as the primary running back as Weber has been nursing a hamstring injury.
But when Weber comes back, how much playing time will Dobbins get? I have a feeling it will be plenty.
If you want to know why Dobbins has made leaps and bounds during his time at Ohio State, just listen to Tony Alford. Here is what the Ohio State running backs coach had to say about Dobbins when asked who will back up Mike Weber this season, as reported in an article by James Grega of Eleven Warriors:
"“J.K., without question,” Alford said. “This guy loves football. He is smart. In my 22 years, this guy has picked it up faster than anyone I have ever been around. He has picked it up, understands the offense. He plays hard. He goes so hard, which is part of the culture of this program.”"
I would say the young man has impressed his position coach, wouldn’t you? Alford had more to say about Dobbins in the article if you want to check it out. It’s a good read.
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With Dobbins coming on strong, and second year player Antonio Williams back in the mix for the third running back spot, it pushed Demario McCall to the H-back position. At least for the moment.
Yes, it has been widely reported McCall has been moved back to the receivers room after an impressive spring playing running back. But I think you will also see him in the backfield as well as lining up in the slot.
He will only get so many reps at H-back with Parris Campbell finally being moved to that position as well. Urban Meyer has raved at how well Campbell is performing, so I think McCall will bounce back and forth between the two positions. He is just so talented that Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson will have to find a way to get the ball in his hands often.
Next: Will Tate Martell see the field as a true freshman?
What problems Urban Meyer, Kevin Wilson and Tony Alford have. While coaches at other programs attempt to build depth at every position, Ohio State coaches move talented players around trying to find them more playing time.