Ohio State Football: Breaking down the depth chart, running backs
In our second installment of ‘breaking down the depth chart’ we look at the running back position for the Ohio State football team.
The Ohio State football team will be losing one of its best players in JK Dobbins to the NFL Draft this upcoming season. Coach Tony Alford will have his work cut out for him as he prepares some of the younger players to take on larger roles in the offense.
There is some reason for optimism. Master Teague had an excellent season in a limited capacity and freshmen Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers showed a lot of promise in a small amount of game action. Let’s take a look at the running back position depth chart.
Starter: Master Teague
Master Teague showed he is ready for more of the load in 2020. As a backup running back, Teague was named to the third team All Big Ten as a redshirt freshman.
With a 5.8 yard per carry average and 789 total yard rushing this past season, it will be interesting to see how Teague handles the burden of receiving the majority of snaps next year.
Now Teague will not have the starting job handed to him. He will still have to show in spring ball and in summer camp that he is ready to take the job, but all indications show that he is ready and should have a big leg up in the competition.
Backups: Marcus Crowley, Steele Chambers, Demario McCall
Marcus Crowley showed a ton of potential in a limited amount of snaps last season. He is very shifty but still runs with a powerful edge about him.
The former four-star prospect from Jacksonville, Florida, Crowley rushed for 237 yard on only 25 carries last season including a 53 yard run in the Northwestern game.
Steele Chambers also had good numbers in limited touches. Another former four-star recruit, Chambers will be most remembered from last season for his 63 yard touchdown run against Miami (OH).
McCall, red-shirt senior, unfortunately is an after thought in the running backs room. The North Ridgeville, Ohio native seems to be stuck as just a punt and kick returner. Maybe he can emerge as a third down, scat-back type player for the upcoming season.
Crowley and Chambers both will have a chance at the starting position with a good offseason. The competition will be real and it will be very interesting as this offseason goes on.
Waiting in the wings: Miyan Williams
The incoming freshman Miyan Williams will more than likely will be redshirted. Still being able to play up to four games as a red shirt player, Williams can still see valuable game action in blow outs.
The three-star Cincinnati native, Williams shows the size, strength and speed that you would expect a Ohio State running back to posses. This will be a developmental year for Williams.
Down the pipe-line: None as of yet
The 2021 recruiting class is looking very good for the Buckeyes. As of right now they are the No.1 class according to 247Sports. While there is no running back currently committed, Ohio State is looking to land a big fish in this class.
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The biggest amongst them is five-star prospect Will Shipley. Shipley is the No.21 overall recruit in the 2021 class and the Buckeyes are listed amongst the favorites to land his services.
The Buckeyes are also very active in recruiting four-star player Lovasea Carroll. The RB from IMG Academy in Florida, is expected to drop his top five in the upcoming days.