How will Ohio State replace Curtis Samuel in 2017?
It's a question that will likely be asked hundreds of times over the next several months and, truthfully, there probably isn't a clear answer. Certainly not at this point, anyway.
The Buckeyes' do-it-all offensive dynamo will enter the upcoming NFL Draft. And Samuel's decision leaves a large — colossal, rather — hole in Ohio State's offensive plan for the 2017 season.
In his first year as the true centerpiece of the Buckeyes' offense, Samuel enjoyed a breakout season as a junior. The Brooklyn, New York native posted 865 receiving yards, 771 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns. He was the only player in FBS to have 700-plus yards in both categories and is the only player in Ohio State history to finish his career with over 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving. Samuel finished his career in Columbus with 1,286 rushing yards, 1,249 receiving yards and 24 total touchdowns.
Those numbers — 1,200-plus yards in both rushing and receiving — are exactly what makes replacing Samuel such a difficult task. Athletes like him with skill sets like his — the ability to both run and catch — don't exactly grow on trees. Make no mistake about it, this is a huge loss for the Buckeyes.
#Gobucks pic.twitter.com/5U8guwNMn7
— Curtis Samuel (@CurtisSamuel4__) January 9, 2017
There will be plenty of names thrown around as potential replacements for Samuel, but the truth is, it's probably unrealistic to expect any single player to match what Samuel accomplished in 2016. There's a reason he was the only player in the country with the numbers he had; skill sets like Samuel's are very rare.
Perhaps the most comparable player on Ohio State's roster to fill in for Samuel next season, however, is sophomore-to-be Demario McCall. A former top-50 recruit and a four-star prospect coming out of high school, McCall spent his freshman season as the Buckeyes' backup running back to Mike Weber. The North Ridgeville, Ohio native played in six games — primarily in mop up duty — and had 49 carries for 270 yards and three touchdowns. McCall also caught four passes for 84 yards and an additional score.
During his freshman season, Samuel backed up Ezekiel Elliott at running back before switching to his hybrid role. A similar path could be there for McCall. If McCall shows the ability to run routes out of the slot — he's a gifted athlete in his own right so this seems like a possible transition — it could be a great fit.
Another option could be for Ohio State to move Parris Campbell from his outside wide receiver position to the slot and turn him into a hybrid guy, as well. Campbell was a running back in high school — like Samuel — who has spent his first three years with the Buckeyes working at wide receiver. Campbell isn't quite as dynamic or shifty as Samuel, but his skill set is relatively similar and if Ohio State is searching for someone who can do both to play the role like it's designed, Campbell could fit that mold. Campbell had 13 catches for 121 yards and four carries for 54 yards and a touchdown this season for the Buckeyes.
Redshirt sophomore to be K.J. Hill was also listed as an H-receiver on Ohio State's depth chart all year, but while Hill is certainly a capable slot receiver, he's not necessarily a hybrid player like McCall or Campbell. Hill doesn't have much experience lining up in the backfield and carrying the football; he's a natural wide receiver.
Incoming freshman Tyjon Lindsey is also an explosive playmaker and a natural slot receiver. But while Lindsey could eventually become a hybrid player in the Buckeyes' offense, he probably needs to put some weight on before he carries the ball out of the backfield like Samuel did this season. Lindsey's recruiting profile lists him at just 161 pounds and while he may weigh more than that when he reports to campus, Lindsey will need to get a bit bigger before he can run between the tackles at this level.
Current defensive back Eric Glover-Williams — a former high school standout wide receiver and return man — is also an intriguing option for Ohio State. But with the Buckeyes once again losing at least half of their starting secondary, Glover-Williams might be needed for depth in the back end.
So, how will Ohio State replace Curtis Samuel in 2017?
The answer is far from certain.
There are options, of course, as Urban Meyer and Co. have continued to stockpile talent over the years, but replacing a player the caliber of Samuel is simply easier said than done.
