Even though he transferred to Ohio State as a linebacker, Chip Trayanum always hoped he’d have the opportunity to play running back again.
That wasn’t anyone’s expectation when Trayanum committed to Ohio State one year ago Sunday. As he joined a roster that was loaded at running back with the likes of TreVeyon Henderson, Miyan Williams, Evan Pryor and Dallan Hayden, he was expected to play solely on defense this season.
Injuries, however, opened the door for Trayanum to move back to the position he previously played in his first two college seasons at Arizona State. When Pryor and TC Caffey both went down with season-ending injuries and Henderson and Williams began battling injuries of their own, Trayanum – who played only 36 snaps in the first six games at linebacker – told Ohio State’s coaches he thought he could help the team more by moving back to offense.
“I just expressed to them how much I felt like I could help the team at that point,” Trayanum said. “I saw the injuries and everything, and I just knew that I could be a potential factor if I was out there on the field at running back.”
Since the Buckeyes began their second half of the regular season against Iowa, Trayanum has been a full-time running back. And he’s thrilled to be back at his preferred position.
“I feel like I'm back more in my habitat and my environment,” Trayanum said Tuesday during an interview session at the Peach Bowl. “Not that I wasn't feeling comfortable at linebacker, but I'm definitely happy what I'm doing for the team right now.”
While Trayanum didn’t actually expect to play running back for Ohio State this year, he did envision playing in the College Football Playoff, which is why he transferred to OSU in the first place. The Akron native described the move to linebacker as a “sacrifice” he was willing to make for the opportunity to play for a national championship contender.
“For me, in the first place, it was just about going to what school was going to be the best offer for me on the table,” Trayanum said. “I was willing to sacrifice being at running back. And my sacrifice came true. I mean, this is what I sacrificed it for, a chance to play for a national championship.”
Now, though, Trayanum could have exactly the opportunity he’s dreamed of by playing a significant role as a running back in the College Football Playoff.
Trayanum’s presence at Tuesday’s media availability was an indicator in itself that he could be in line for substantial playing time in the Peach Bowl as he was called upon as a late replacement for Miyan Williams, who Trayanum said was feeling under the weather on Tuesday. While Williams is expected to play Saturday and had “the most work he's had to date” during the Buckeyes’ first practice of Peach Bowl week Monday according to Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, Trayanum could be the next man up at running back after he led the Buckeyes with 14 carries for 83 rushing yards against Michigan.
Assuming Williams, Trayanum and Hayden all see playing time against Georgia as they did against Michigan, Trayanum believes they can all complement each other – which might be a dynamic the Buckeyes need against a Georgia defense that leads the nation with only 76.9 rushing yards allowed per game.
“I feel like we can complement each other a lot in this game,” Trayanum said. “Because all of us, every single one of us in that room has a different running style. And each running style that we all have can complement the game and can help the game progress as it goes on. So I definitely believe we complement each other with all the speed, with all the power, with all the stuff out the backfield, with the blocking that we all can produce. So I think any given play, any one of us can be out there.”
While the Michigan game was the first time all year that Trayanum saw significant playing time at running back – his one carry for nine yards against Iowa was his only rushing attempt before The Game – he says the move back to RB hasn’t been a difficult transition for him to make because of his experience playing the position. He’s still playing at the same weight of roughly 229 pounds that he was playing linebacker at, and he said it only took him a couple of practices on offense to get back in the groove of running the ball.
“Once I'm at running back and I get the ball in my hand, it's like autopilot mode,” Trayanum said. “So it's just all natural for me and I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be back in the running back room.”
Chip Trayanum averaged 5.9 yards per carry against Michigan.
Trayanum has impressed his teammates with how smoothly he handled the midseason position change.
“It wasn't really something that surprised me, because Chip came in and he was so mature,” Emeka Egbuka said. “Just seeing his work ethic and the work he puts in, even when he wasn't touching the field as much, but I had no like doubt in my mind that he was gonna have success on the offensive side of the ball. He's literally like a freak of nature. He's one of the strongest, fastest dudes, pound-for-pound in the Woody. And I'm excited to see what he can do this Saturday.”
With the focus being on preparing to play Georgia, Trayanum hasn’t yet had a formal conversation with Ryan Day and Ohio State’s coaching staff about what position he’ll play next season. For now, Trayanum just wants to do whatever he can to help the team at RB in the CFP.
“I was willing to sacrifice being at running back. And my sacrifice came true. I mean, this is what I sacrificed it for, a chance to play for a national championship.”– Chip Trayanum on why he transferred to Ohio State
Day said last week, though, that the coaches will “meet with Chip and see what he feels most comfortable doing after kind of doing half and half.” And Trayanum made it clear Tuesday that running back is where he feels most comfortable.
“Shoot, man, then it looks like I might be staying in the running back room,” Trayanum said when told what Day said. “I hope to. I mean, that's up to the coaching staff. And so I'm just happy to do whatever I can for the team at this point in the season.”
That said, Trayanum is grateful for the time he spent playing linebacker as he believes that gave him a new perspective on the game and made him a more complete football player.
“Every time I go out there and I'm scanning the defense, I've taken those little cues with me and just adjusting as the play goes. So I definitely think linebacker has helped me,” Trayanum said. “Everything happens for a reason. It all came back full circle. And I definitely feel like I'm back here at the time I'm supposed to be.”
