Urban Meyer wanted fifth-senior Bri'onte Dunn to receive the first snap at running back for Ohio State in 2016. That no longer will be a possibility, as the program announced his dismissal following an altercation with his girlfriend.
Dunn's exit leaves a significant hole in terms of experience in Tony Alford's running back room, especially considering how the Buckeyes must attempt to fill the massive shoes left behind by 2015 Silver Football winner Ezekiel Elliott. Next in line appears to be redshirt freshman Mike Weber, who Meyer and Alford said was "neck-and-neck" with Dunn in the battle to earn the starting job this spring.
Weber scored two touchdowns and ran for 38 yards on eight carries for the Gray Team in Ohio State's Spring Game, his lone action in a scarlet and gray uniform at Ohio Stadium in his career. A knee injury during fall camp last year eventually resulted in a redshirt his first year on campus.
Ohio State could look to junior Curtis Samuel to take a bigger load running the ball, as well. Samuel served as Elliott's backup and even started one game in 2014, running for 383 yards and six touchdowns on 58 carries. Last season, he scored one touchdown on 17 carries and rushed for 132 yards.
He is a multi-talented player, used at H-back and even at wide receiver during his two years at Ohio State. He did not participate this spring after undergoing surgery on his foot in January.
Dontre Wilson and Curtis Samuel
Meyer also mentioned this spring that he sees "four guys carrying the ball for us this fall," which included Dunn, Weber, Samuel and senior Dontre Wilson. The latter battled a foot injury last season, but now weighs 198 pounds — a significant change from the 170 he checked in at upon his arrival in 2013. If Wilson can stay healthy, he will factor largely into Ohio State's rushing plan this season.
Two true freshman running backs also grace Ohio State's roster: Antonio Williams and Demario McCall. Williams enrolled at Ohio State in January and ran the ball seven times for 29 yards in the spring game. McCall is a speedy all-purpose back, shifty in space and an excellent return man. It looked as if that might be his best way to get on the field in 2016, but that could change now with Dunn's dismissal.
The inexperience and lack of a star running back like Elliott means Ohio State likely will lean on more of a by-committee approach in the backfield — at least to start the season.
Quarterback J.T. Barrett will also figure into the read-option game, but Dunn's dismissal takes away one of the two pieces Meyer and his staff believed would sit atop the depth chart when the team takes the field Sept. 3 against Bowling Green in Ohio Stadium.
