Tony Alford worked tirelessly in the days and weeks leading up to signing day to land Florida's Dexter Williams for Notre Dame. The country's 11th-ranked running back, who had committed to Miami in April of 2014, was a huge final piece for the Irish on signing day. Alford's role as the recruiting coordinator for Notre Dame meant that often times he was the primary "guy" for many of Brian Kelly's biggest fish, including Williams, Brandon Wimbush and more. His sudden departure is no doubt a blow to Kelly's staff but it's unquestionably a huge addition to the Buckeye coaching staff, especially on the heels of losing a man and a coach who is as well-respected as Stan Drayton.
There are a number of reasons a coach would make a lateral move to a regional nemesis, but foremost for Alford seems to be the upward mobility that comes from coaching under Urban Meyer. Perhaps secondarily it's the knowledge that he's inheriting one of the most talented backfield groups in the entire country in 2015 and beyond. Ezekiel Elliott, Curtis Samuel, Bri'onte Dunn, and Warren Ball all return (or are scheduled to) this coming spring and Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson will also get their shots out of the backfield.
Beyond that group comes the next wave of Buckeye ballcarriers and the talent supply looks to — remarkably — be getting even better, at least from a potential standpoint. What is Alford, or whomever takes over for him in two years, getting? Size, speed and incredible talent.
2015 ADDITION
Detroit Cass Tech's Mike Weber is the country's 9th-ranked running back in Fall's incoming class and his skill-set fits perfectly what the Buckeyes do out of the backfield. Weber isn't a speed-burner, but at 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds, he can still run away from linebackers and safeties and is quick enough to hit the hole with purpose and strong enough to get to the second level through arm tackles. During his final home game for Cass Tech, Weber racked up 404 yards on 33 carries, showcasing his ability to be a workhorse, every down back if needed.
Weber's ceiling is high and the Buckeyes will give him every shot to earn carries as a freshman.
2016 COMMITMENTS
In 2016, the Buckeyes expect to be without at least two of Elliott, Dunn or Ball so the running back position has become a bit of a priority recruitment-wise for next February's signees. The first commitment in their 2016 group was Hubbard, Ohio's George Hill, the country's 63rd-ranked overall player and 4th-ranked tailback. At 6-foot-tall and almost 190-pounds, Hill is explosive and versatile; able to hit the big play with almost any carry but able to grind out yardage when necessary.
Hill has been limited in his carries (only 100 each year as a sophomore and a junior) because he's shared the backfield with Michigan State signee L.J. Scott, and although he'll become a primary option this fall, he's still likely to enter Ohio State with less wear and tear on him than most star running backs throughout the country. Despite the limited touches, Hill has over 2400 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns as he heads into what should be a big senior season.
Kareem Walker is the country's top running back for 2016 and he shocked everyone when he committed to Ohio State at halftime of the 2015 national championship game. A 6-foot-1, 210 man-child, Walker's blend of power and speed is a perfect fit for the power running game that Ohio State's offense has become known for since 2012. His highlight tape showcases both of those attributes, as well as excellent vision and footwork, and underscores why he's the country's eighth-overall prospect for 2016.
With two of the top-ranked tailbacks in the country already in the "committed" column for Ohio State next year, you might think that would be the end of the chase but the Buckeyes are not stopping there. Beyond Walker and Hill, Alford and the Buckeyes are expected to be eventual landing spot of North Ridgeville, Ohio's Demario McCall, who just happens to be the third-ranked running back for 2016. McCall is capable of playing multiple positions out of the backfield and at times could line up as a slot receiver à la Dontre Wilson. One of the country's most explosive players, McCall runs a sub 4.40-40 and is regarded as a potential superstar by the Buckeyes. He's an absolute priority for Urban Meyer and his coaching staff.
If all goes well, Alford and Urban Meyer should line up with all three of those 2016 stars and Weber to start the 2016 season. If by some twist of circumstance one of those three don't end up donning the Scarlet and Gray, the Buckeyes are still active in their recruitment of Georgia's Elijah Holyfield (No. 14 for 2016), Southfield, Michigan's Matthew Falcon (No. 15) and North Carolina's Robert Washington (No. 16), as well as a handful of others.
2017 JUST GETTING WARMED UP
With the load of talent on board for 2016, you could think that the Buckeyes are going to be pretty picky about the running back spot for 2017, and while that may be the case, they've begun scouring Ohio in earnest already. Two weeks ago, they extended a a scholarship offer to Akron Archbishop Hoban's Todd Sibley, Jr.
A 5-foot-11, 205-pound junior-to-be, Sibley has been on the radar for the Buckeyes for almost two years now and it would not be a surprise to see him make an early decision and commit to the Buckeyes soon. Although he's young, Sibley's work-ethic and running-style make him an ideal candidate for the Buckeyes offense.
If Sibley decides to head elsewhere, the next in-state target for Ohio State and 2017 could be Toledo Central Catholic's Michael Warren, Jr., who dominated this past December's state championship game against Athens. At 5-foot-10 and 185-pounds, Warren may not be as physically imposing as Sibley (yet) but he's got incredible vision and runs exceptionally hard from whistle to whistle. Whenever the Irish needed a play, it was Warren who they turned to and more often than not he delivered, rushing for 2246 yards and 28 touchdowns as a sophomore for the state champions.
If the Buckeyes decide to look out of their cozy confines of Ohio, they could potentially turn to Fort Lauderdale where Kyshaun Bryan, a teammate of 2015 signee Torrance Gibson, awaits. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Bryan was instrumental in the Patriots' title defense and the connection with Gibson could give the Buckeyes an inside shot, although he's recently received offers from Florida State and Florida, so if Ohio State wants to get involved, they may need to make an offer to Bryan soon.
The Buckeyes' backfield is talented and stocked. Urban Meyer's prophetic words following the 42-20 win against Oregon are true once again.
"The future is bright at Ohio State."
