It didn’t take long for Curtis Samuel to catch the attention of new Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford. One drill, to be exact.
“Literally the first drill we did in winter conditioning I was here and I blew the whistle and he did something and I remember I turned and looked at Matt Merritt, our intern, and said, ‘What was that?’ Alford said last Thursday. “It was like a flash. Matt just started laughing.”
That’s just the type of player Samuel is, though. He’s an electric athlete and will be one of the Buckeyes’ top offensive playmakers come fall.
It’s also what has allowed him to move around during spring practice this year. Last season, he served primarily as Ohio State’s backup running back, but this spring he’s spending time working at the H-back position head coach Urban Meyer’s offense has been known for.
That type of versatility is what has Buckeye coaches so excited about the talented sophomore from Brooklyn, N.Y.
“[Samuel] has got some explosive, fast-twitch fibers in his body now and he’s a playmaker and can do a lot of things with the ball in his hands. He’s an exciting toy to have.”– Tony Alford
“I mean, he’s explosive,” Alford said. “Have you seen the guy move?”
The challenge now is to figure out a way for Samuel to become more involved in Ohio State’s offense. He carried the ball 58 times for 383 yards and six touchdowns last season as the Buckeyes’ backup running back.
With Ezekiel Elliott returning and expected to carry most of the weight in the backfield as Ohio State’s No. 1 ball carrier, Meyer must figure out a way to get Samuel more touches. Moving to H-back would certainly help with that.
“The days of Curtis Samuel playing 10 plays are over,” Meyer said. “It’s our job to get him on the field for 40 or 50 plays.”
Following last Thursday's practice, Samuel could be seen along the wall catching passes from a JUGS machine that were seemingly coming at him at 100 miles per hour. Following that, he was running quick routes near midfield at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
It's clear the talented sophomore is embracing his position change, whether it be permanent or temporary. Alford said Samuel is splitting his time between the wide receiver and running back meeting room nearly 50/50.
It’s all part of the Buckeyes’ plan to adapt their offense to the new personnel for the 2015 season. Samuel appears to be a big part of Ohio State's plans.
“That guy has got some explosive, fast-twitch fibers in his body now and he’s a playmaker and can do a lot of things with the ball in his hands,” Alford said. “He’s an exciting toy to have.”
