Ohio State puts a lot on Curtis Samuel’s plate.
He’s asked to run between the tackles. He lines up in the slot and runs routes. Sometimes he even takes snaps at quarterback in a Wildcat look.
You can add one more task to Samuel’s list. Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer hinted Monday that Samuel would be the team’s new punt returner. On Wednesday, he reiterated that thought.
“Just a skill set that’s a ‘Wow,’” Meyer said.
Dontre Wilson had been Ohio State’s punt returner through the first nine weeks of the season. But after Wilson muffed a punt in Saturday’s win over Nebraska and the Huskers recovered, it was clear the Buckeyes were looking to make a change. Wilson muffed a handful of punts throughout the season, but Saturday night was the first time he lost one.
Samuel is Ohio State’s most explosive player, so the move makes sense. The junior from Brooklyn has 599 rushing yards and 676 receiving yards this season, and he has an open field ability matched by nobody on the Buckeyes’ roster.
Samuel was listed as the co-starter at punt returner with K.J. Hill on Tuesday when Ohio State released its depth chart ahead of Saturday’s game against the Terrapins. Samuel is going to get the first shot at the spot, but Hill said if he’s called upon he’ll be ready to go.
“I’m comfortable back there,” he said. “This week it’s going to be me and Curtis back there so we’re going to be good back there.”
