{mosimage}I like the 2008 RB situation for Ohio State and the depth relative to what it has been. But questions linger with the guys on the roster. Here they are:

Chris Wells- Injuries.

Mo Wells- Change of pace back, improved but really could have used a redshirt year. He probably can't ever be relied upon for more than 10-15 carries a game. I wonder if he could end up being a 5th year transfer like Ben Mauk and Ryan Mundy. When is the NCAA going to get rid of redshirts? Just give everyone 5 years. It's a dumb rule that leaves the rather odd transfer loop hole.

Brandan Saine- Tons of talent but I can't help but question his toughness. I'm not talking about injuries, rather the way he approaches the line or an oncoming tackler. He does not attack, he slows up. This kind of attitude leads to injuries. But all in all, he showed some nice flashes in his first year. Hopefully he can improve upon that.

Boom Herron- Inexperience. I hear good things but have not seen them as of yet. It's nice to FINALLY redshirt a RB. This could pay off.

Recruits:

Devoe Torrence- He was a top 5-10 Running Back recruit but now it looks as if he could be in legal troubles and not sign with Ohio State. No official word yet so I'm thinking the legal process will have to sift through the details that I don't know or care to speculate about.

Word is that Ohio State is also looking at Texas RB Aundre Dean who originally verballed to UCLA but is now re-considering since their Head Coach Karl Dorrell was fired. Dean has an impressive highlight video. He has an upright running style but has incredible balance and power.

Aundre Dean Video

Overall, 2008 will be a great year for the Buckeye backfield. Still, there could still be an Chris Wells injury away from being in trouble. With OT Kirk Barton graduating and OT Alex Boone likely going to the NFL, the O-Line will need to do their part.

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Lloyds Apple said:

Dec. 22, 2007, 10:27PM Dean, Katy topple Pflugerville for 5A-II title By RONNIE TURNER Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Katy's run this season was so magical and dominant that it was almost like a dream, and too good to be true. If that's the case, then the Tigers will certainly be thrilled knowing that their dream has a happy ending. Katy fulfilled its quest for a perfect season and a fifth state championship by dismantling Pflugerville 28-7 in the 5A Division II state title game on Saturday night at the Alamodome. The Tigers finished 16-0 for their first state title since 2003. The win also marks the first championship of Gary Joseph's tenure as Katy head coach. And as they have so done so many times this season, the Tigers rode the arm of senior quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and the legs of senior running back Aundre Dean to the victory. Mitchell, who has verbally committed to Hawaii, tossed three touchdown passes and Dean rushed for 221 yards and a touchdown. Mitchell was named the game's Offensive Most Valuable Player. Thanks largely to Mitchell, Dean and a ferocious defense, the Tigers dominated the second half. After fighting to a 7-7 tie at halftime, Katy sprinted out of the locker room and scored 21 straight points to put the contest out of reach. Dean started the run by breaking off a 66-yard touchdown on just his third carry of the second half. On the play, he found a huge hole, burst up the middle, cut to the outside and outraced a defender to give Katy a 14-7 lead, its first of the game. Pflugerville (12-4) attempted to respond on the following drive but had a three-and-out. Cade Glasgow's punt was a short one, and gave the Tigers possession on the Pflugerville 41. Four plays later, Mitchell found senior wide receiver Joey Fuda open down the right side for a 24-yard touchdown strike that increased the lead to 21-7. In the meantime, the Tigers' defense continued its assault on Pflugerville quarterback Brandon Wilson. Wilson was sacked by Katy linebacker Brad Graham on a third-and-6 play from the Pflugerville 20, and the Panthers were forced to punt again. Again, the Tigers capitalized. Mitchell connected with junior wide receiver Blake Bell for a 40-yard touchdown, and Katy took a 28-7 lead with 3:19 left in the third quarter. That sealed the deal. Katy was so dominant in the second half that one hardly would have imagined that the game was ever close. The two teams fought to a scoreless tie in the first quarter until Pflugerville picked up the tempo in the second. The Panthers were awarded great field position on their third drive after a short Katy punt gave them possession at their own 47-yard line. Three plays later, Pflugerville running back Desmond Smith took a handoff around the right side, shook off a couple of tackles and sprinted into the end zone for a 50-yard touchdown with 9:43 left in the second quarter. Katy started the ensuing drive on its 8 but marched 57 yards in 17 plays to put itself in position to score before halftime. The drive stalled after Mitchell threw an incomplete pass on third down, and the Tigers punted with just over a minute and a half left in the first half. But the Tigers were not done. Katy's defense held Pflugerville to a three-and-out, and the Tigers got the ball back at the Panthers' 35 after a punt with just under 30 seconds remaining. Mitchell threw straight incompletions, including one which resulted in an intentional grounding penalty, and Katy was left facing fourth-and-20 from the Pflugerville 45. The Panthers called a timeout that gave the Tigers more time to think up another play. The play turned out to be a beauty. Mitchell dropped back from the shotgun and hurled up a desperation toss to the right side of the end zone. The ball was tipped up by Fuda, and it fell right into the hands of fellow senior receiver Brian Rowe as time expired. Mitchell's 45-yard touchdown pass tied the game at 7, and sent the Tigers into the locker room with a mountain of momentum, which carried them through the remainder of the game.

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December 23, 2007
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Bugeatersteve said:

	Lloyd, Now that's what I call "Lazy" Just "lifting" the story from the Chronicle, but at least you protected yourself by giving the credit to the "chron" writer Ronnie Turner, who is very good at the coverage of high school ball here in the H-town area. Oh and by the way, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR and thanks for inviting me to write for your website.
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December 24, 2007
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Lloyds Apple said:

Hey man I found some video...what more do you want from me!!!! But really, I am a copy/paste fool. I saw the article and thought someone in this world could be interested. Everyone is encouraged to do the same for articles they or other have written. It keeps things fresh. Merry Christmas man and Happy New Years Bug. Your contributions are first class and much appreciated by everyone. Although, clearly a curse to Husker football.

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December 24, 2007
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