As for the battle between quarterbacks J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones, Meyer said, “We’re going to play the guy that helps us win”.
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On offense, Joe Germaine and David Boston were setting records, with Boston becoming statistically the best receiver in Buckeye history. On the defensive side of things, the void Joey Bosa leaves behind will likely need to be filled by some combination of underclassmen including Tyquan Lewis, Jalyn Holmes, Darius Slade and Sam Hubbard. The Buckeyes athletic department cited violations of policy as reason for the one-game bans, and ESPN reported the suspensions were due to marijuana and academics. When he returned at Ohio State, he often showed off a contract he negotiated with his wife and kids “tougher than any contract I’ve ever signed in my life”, is how he put it to make sure he kept his priorities straight.
Michigan State safety Kurtis Drummond defends Ohio State running back Jalin Marshall (17) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State in East Lansing, Mich., Saturday, November 8, 2014.
This news breaks the same day as the Buckeyes were named the number one team in the country in the preseason coaches poll. Meyer said that he thought that last year might turn out bumpy, especially after Miller’s injury in August, and he’ll be the first one to say that the national championship came as a surprise.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer speaks to the media during the Big Ten Football Media Day Thursday, July 30, 2015 in Chicago. They have enough talent for two top-10 teams, the result of a string of jaw-dropping recruiting that has, in part, delivered three potential Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks to the roster, although one, Braxton Miller, is preparing to switch to receiver.
Right now, the overall score on this Ohio State team is a minus-four. Bosa led the Big Ten Conference in sacks last season with 13.5. He is a huge loss for the Ohio State defense. You might see him at both receiver and h-back because he was electric with the ball in his hands at Akron SVSM, and the coaches are expecting the same type of play-making ability as a Buckeye.
“We’re disappointed because we value a high level of accountability”, Perry said. “We’re pushing forward”.
The Big Ten officially announced its players to watch this morning as the favorites for Player of the Year honors. Meyer expressed confidence in Ohio State’s recruiting and depth chart but refused to comment on why exactly the players were suspended.
“Everyone deals with stuff“, Meyer said. He’s got an incredible first step. Whoever gives the team the best chance to win – obviously – is going to be the starter.
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Weve recruited pretty good, Meyer said. Jones also is the guy who started the three biggest games of last season – Big Ten title game, College Football Playoff semifinal, and the national championship game – and won them all.
