The Ohio State football team's receivers are underrated in this one area

Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline has assembled another group of future NFL stars. This ultra-talented bunch runs excellent routes, has good hands, and can make things happen after the catch. These guys can do it all, but there is one area where they are very underrated: blocking.

If you’re going to run the ball effectively, you must have receivers who can block and the Buckeyes have a group who gets after it. Go back and look at any substantial gain made by the Ohio State football team's running backs and you’ll see those receivers locked up with a defensive back and walling him off or driving him backward. By and large, receivers don’t like to block, but Hartline’s guys are excelling at it and adding yards to the run game.

Blocking is about desire and attitude. You have to want to do it and have the understanding things will probably get a bit messy. Although blocking for receivers is usually not as physical, they still need to attack it with the same desire and attitude. Receivers use a stalk block on defensive backs.

The key to it is getting square to the player they’re blocking. That means they can’t be lazy-they MUST move their feet and get into proper position. When you watch Ohio State’s receivers, you can tell they take pride in their blocking.

Take a look at these highlights from the Western Michigan game and you’ll see all three starting receivers, Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, and Jeremiah Smith, make key blocks that allowed Quinshon Judkins to either get into the end zone or gain significant yardage. They’re making a difference in all phases of the offense.

When watching a replay of a good run by the Buckeyes, take your eyes off the ball carrier and look at the job these receivers are doing blocking downfield. It will give you an appreciation of the impact they are making when they don’t have the ball in their hands.