The magic number at Ohio State when Urban Meyer and his staff start to get overly cautious with some of their top players is 2,000. As in 2,000 reps.
The "2,000-rep Club" is something Meyer and Co. have brought the Buckeyes. Any player who reaches 2,000 combined competitive reps in practice and games is watched with extra attention by the coaching staff and will be somewhat limited in spring practice.
It's a smart concept, really, especially during the spring and it is strictly done on a precautionary basis. There's no need to overwork your team's top players in March and April knowing full well the season doesn't begin until September 7 when Ohio State travels to Blacksburg for its opener with Virginia Tech.
The problem for Meyer, though, is when he limits the top guys it means the back-ups get most of those snaps. That's not an easy thing for a coach to watch as the quality of football is, understandably, not as good. It's the reason why Meyer described the Buckeyes' third practice of the spring as "not a great day."
"Just being smart with the guys in the 2,000-rep Club and guys that have a lot of competitive snaps and just gotta be really smart," Meyer said Tuesday. "And we are being smart but when you look out and see how awful it is when you're sometimes watching practice but it's still the right thing to do."
Meyer mentioned a few players Tuesday who were part of the 2,000-rep Club. Offensive linemen Taylor Decker and Pat Elflein were guys named, as well as tight end Nick Vannett. On defense, linebacker Joshua Perry, safety Tyvis Powell and defensive end Joey Bosa were the names tossed out by Ohio State's head coach as those who were being watched carefully.
There are others, too, surely, that are close if they aren't part of the 2,000-rep club already.
"You're talking about a kid that has over 1,200, 1,500, sometimes 2,000 competitive reps and the wear and tear," Meyer said. "I think we're on the cutting edge of just being smart about the wear and tear of the student athletes. I love it."
Players being limited in spring ball because they're part of this club shouldn't be alarming for any Ohio State fans. It's simply Meyer being careful with some of his veteran players.
Somebody has to take those reps, though, and that means some of the younger Buckeyes players are thrust into those roles. It's great to get the young guys experience — and can set Ohio State up for future success by getting them reps early in their careers — but at the same time, players who will be on the field in the fall aren't out there right now.
Meyer worries about the possible loss of cohesion in certain units, specifically on the offensive and defensive line.
Striking a balance is key.
"We just had the conversation and here's the issues: You're losing a little bit of chemistry in the unit," Meyer said. "That's why sometimes it just looks really bad and today was not a pleasant one. It's not, we're not going to blame coaches or players yet."
Meyer's not exactly the type of coach who is going to lower his expectations, either, no matter who is on the field. And while the Buckeyes will be without some of their top guys this spring because of the 2,000 Club, they'll almost assuredly be better in their next practice.
"I just watched and was like, ‘Is that the same team that had the fewest missed tackles in college football last year?’ Meyer said. "The bottom line is today is Tuesday and on Thursday it better be better.”
