Ohio State Football: RB unit should be the best in the nation
Urban Meyer has worked hard to load the Ohio State football team with talented backs. As a result, this year he should have the best RB unit in the nation.
With two 1,000 yard running backs returning a head coach would certainly have expectations of having a strong rushing attack the next season. But with other talented backs on the Ohio State football team to go along with J. K. Dobbins and Mike Weber, it’s reasonable to think Urban Meyer should have the best RB unit in the nation in 2018.
Just think about the players Urban, running backs coach Tony Alford and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson have to work with.
First there is Dobbins who is coming off a record-setting season for an Ohio State freshman running back. He gained 1,400 yards with 7 touchdowns on the ground and caught 22 passes for 135 yards and a score.
Weber also rushed for 1.000 yards in 2016. After seeing limited playing time while nursing an injury early last season he came on strong late.
During this year’s spring game, Weber looked quicker than ever on his only run. It was a 63 yard scamper and no defender could lay a finger on him until he was inside the five yard line.
The two backups were extremely impressive as well.
I have been following Antonio Williams’ progress and the reports said he had stepped up his game. Last Saturday he proved the reports were right on the money.
Williams rushed 5 times for 47 yards and 1 touchdown on Saturday. Not only does he look like he could be a force in the red zone but he showed the ability to bounce a run outside.
Remember Williams was the No. 7 running back in the 2016 season. He may now be ready to break out and live up to the lofty expectations many had for him when he enrolled at Ohio State.
I was anxious to see how the early enrollee Master Teague would perform during the spring game. He was impressive to say the least gaining 73 yards and scoring a touchdown on 14 carries.
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Teague’s yardage total was held down because of the touch rules in the first quarter. The final three quarters he proved he is a yards after contact guy. I’m still waiting to see him break loose on a run so I can see that sub 4.4 speed he showed Urban Meyer to earn his scholarship offer.
There will be another talented back joining the Ohio State football team pretty soon as well. Brian Snead was the No. 3 RB in the 2018 recruiting class. Who knows what he may bring to the table.
This Ohio State running back unit is so talented Demario McCall has been moved to H-back. He would be the featured running back on many teams and in the two deep on most.
Because of the balanced attack Urban Meyer looks for in his offense, I’m sure Ohio State won’t lead the nation in rushing yards during the 2018 season. One of the service academies, Georgia Tech or another run oriented team will lead that category.
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However, each head coach of the teams at the top of the list would trade their running backs for Urban Meyer’s. That’s because he will probably have the best RB unit in the nation. It’s hard to tell just how good this group will be.