Ohio State Football: Spring Game big for running backs

Depth is something that the Ohio State football team wants to build at every position. They never want to be thin at a position during the season. Unfortunately, that happened at the end of last season at the running back position after a cornucopia of injuries overtook them.

It started before the season when Evan Pryor tore his ACL. Then TreVeyon Henderson broke a bone in his foot and tried to play through it before eventually being shut down. Miyan Williams missed a couple of games with an injury as well. All of a sudden, the top three running backs were nicked up.

That left just Dallan Hayden and Chip Trayanum healthy at running back, and Trayanum was supposed to be a linebacker. That certainly hurt the Buckeyes down the stretch, especially in the game against Michigan. Now, all of the running backs are back and healthy.

Tomorrow’s Spring Game will be a big game in determining who gets snaps from that logjam at running back. Williams is likely the starter after performing so well last year, but Henderson has a higher ceiling in terms of what he can do.

Pryor was supposed to be the third back last year but Hayden really played well in the Maryland game and has looked excellent this Spring. Trayanum has looked good in Spring practices too. The game could be the separator on who gets snaps and who doesn’t.

I think this game is huge for both Pryor and Hayden. Hayden will likely get reps first. I think he is in line to be the third running back. But if Pryor shows out, it would be really hard for the Buckeyes to not give him a chance in the Fall to play some meaningful snaps.

This is just one more storyline to follow during tomorrow’s game. I can’t wait to watch it!