Ohio State had only two scholarship running backs at practice three days before the Peach Bowl.
With TreVeyon Henderson and Evan Pryor already sidelined by season-ending injuries, Miyan Williams was also not seen during the 15-minute viewing window allowed to reporters at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during Wednesday’s practice. That came one day after he was scratched from his scheduled interview session Tuesday, which Chip Trayanum said was because Williams was “under the weather.”
In Williams’ absence, freshman Dallan Hayden led Ohio State’s running back line during individual drills with Trayanum behind him. The only other running backs on the field Wednesday were walk-ons Cayden Saunders and Chase Brecht.
Dallan Hayden first in line in RB drills for OSU with Chip Trayanum following after.
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) December 28, 2022
Didnt see Miyan Williams, who the Buckeyes said was under the weather yesterday. pic.twitter.com/SpdiYH08nq
As for a more positive health update, right guard Matt Jones was at practice and appeared to be a full participant after missing Ohio State’s regular-season finale against Michigan with a foot injury. Freshman linebacker C.J. Hicks was also on the field and participating in special teams drills with a sleeve on his knee after injuring that knee on the opening kickoff of the Michigan game.
OSU guard Matt Jones, who missed the Michigan game with injury, doing contact work in practice today. pic.twitter.com/9iDCbmC2MX
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) December 28, 2022
Starting cornerback Cameron Brown, who said earlier this month that he was good to go after suffering a stinger against Michigan, also appeared to be full-go during the portion of Wednesday’s practice that was open to the media.
Cam Brown looks healthy in practice pic.twitter.com/gMysjmSm0Q
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) December 28, 2022
Kamryn Babb was on the field for Wednesday’s practice but appeared to be unavailable for contact work as he was not in pads or a helmet.
A few more quick notes from Wednesday’s practice session:
- Ohio State pumped crowd noise into Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the field-goal kicking portion of Wednesday’s open practice window. Jayden Fielding ended that portion of practice by making a 57-yard field goal – a potential window into who would kick a long field goal if Ohio State opted to attempt one, as Noah Ruggles has not made any field goals of longer than 49 yards during his college career.
Jayden Fielding makes a long field goal in practice. He hasnt attempted a field goal yet at Ohio State but would potentially get the nod over Noah Ruggles on a long field goal attempt. pic.twitter.com/8BFHkZgstm
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 28, 2022
- Teradja Mitchell, who entered the transfer portal on Dec. 5, is still practicing with the Buckeyes through their CFP run and was on the field with the team Wednesday. Thanks to the NCAA passing a blanket waiver to not count postseason games against redshirt eligibility, Mitchell can play for the Buckeyes in the Peach Bowl without burning his redshirt, which he needs to be eligible to play another season of college football elsewhere.
- Freshman tight end signee Jelani Thurman, a Fairborn, Georgia native, was in attendance for Wednesday’s practice and watched practice from the field.
