With spring football in the books, Eleven Warriors will look back over the next week at what we learned from each position group heading into the offseason.
When Ohio State held its first open practice of this spring, something immediately jumped out to the media members who were gathered to watch: Bri’onte Dunn was working with the first team as the Buckeyes’ No. 1 running back.
Everyone knew Ezekiel Elliott was not going to be practicing in the spring after undergoing wrist surgery following the 2014 season. What everyone didn’t know was that Dunn, a redshirt junior who was used primarily on kickoff coverage last year, would be taking his spot.
After all, why would he be? He spent all of last year buried on the depth chart at the running back position behind Elliott, Rod Smith and Curtis Samuel — a freshman who carried the ball 58 times for 393 yards and six touchdowns. Smith was dismissed in the middle of last season and with Elliott sidelined, it seemed like a forgone conclusion Samuel would be running with the No. 1 offense in the spring.
But as quickly as the media noticed Dunn taking No. 1 reps at running back, it noticed Samuel working with the wide receivers and H-backs. Now, everything made sense. Ohio State wanted Samuel to work with the wide receivers this spring.
“Bri’onte Dunn has earned the right to contribute to the Buckeyes next year.”– Urban Meyer
“The days of Curtis Samuel playing 10 plays are over,” Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer said.
The move was done in an effort to get Samuel, one of Ohio State’s most dynamic playmakers, some more snaps on the field. He wouldn’t be able to do that strictly playing behind Elliott at running back.
It’s exactly why Dunn took over duties as the No. 1 back this spring with Elliott sidelined and while he’ll likely be the primary backup at the position when the Heisman Trophy candidate returns in the fall.
“Bri’onte Dunn has earned the right to contribute to the Buckeyes next year,” Meyer said following Saturday’s spring game.
How much Dunn will contribute remains to be seen, obviously.
Make no mistake about it, Elliott is still Ohio State’s No. 1 running back and will receive the overwhelming majority of the carries. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Samuel move back into the rotation at the running back position — he’s fully capable of playing both spots. We also can't forget the Buckeyes have a highly-touted running back coming in this fall in Mike Weber. Weber will also make a push for playing time as a true freshman, much like Samuel did last season.
But make no mistake about it, right now, Dunn appears to be in the plans for the 2015 season — even if it’s just in a minor role.
