By: Mark Tupper (Pantagraph.com) -- CHAMPAIGN -- Hardcore college football fans pay close attention to spring battles at positions like backup defensive end and nickel back in the secondary. But whenever Ohio State Buckeyes fans gather, it doesn’t take long for the conversation to zero in on what will happen on Sept. 12. That’s when Southern Cal comes to Ohio Stadium for a much-anticipated rematch of a game Southern Cal dominated last year, 35-3 on the Trojans’ home turf. Ohio State hasn’t had the best ... Read More

By: Dave-Te' Thomas (Scout.com) -- Much like his father, Terry, a former NFL player and present assistant coach with Atlanta, Brian is the consummate team player. Having grown up in a football environment, he showed great maturity upon his arrival on OSU’s campus as a true freshman, nailing down a spot on special teams while patiently waiting his turn behind a veteran laden receiving unit. As a sophomore, he forced his way into the lineup for five games before finally getting his opportunity ... Read More

By: Marla Ridenour (Beacon Journal via Ohio.com) -- When Chris Wells first walked through the door at the Euclid Power Plant, Eric Lichter asked, ''What NFL team does he play for?'' Lichter was stunned to learn that Wells was a senior at Garfield High School and had come to his spartan facility to train for the U.S. Army All-American Game and Ohio State spring football in 2006. ''I said, 'What is in the water in Akron, Ohio?' '' said Lichter, who has spent ... Read More

By: Steve Hemmelgarn (NewsAndSentinel.com) -- Spring football is in the air, so let's talk about it. Listen to Jim Tressel discuss his Ohio State team the day before spring drills began, and you get an indication who he is looking for to step up into a lot of those holes made by graduation and early departures for the NFL. But of course, the first thought for most OSU fans concerns the maturation of sophomore-to-be Terrelle Pryor at quarterback, especially with his passing. For Tressel, the ... Read More

By: MIKE PERRY (MorningJournal.com) -- COLUMBUS ­— Ohio State coach Jim Tressel saw a ton of offensive talent either leave via graduation or through early entry for the 2009 NFL Draft. He has holes to fill, but thinks he has the talent to piece together a solid offensive unit. At the receiver position, however, the experience is thin. The “two Brians,” Robiskie and Hartline, have moved on, leaving the Buckeyes without significant experience at receiver. Roy Hall and Dane Sanzenbacher saw time last ... Read More

By: Zack Meisel (TheLantern.com via Yahoo Sports) -- COLUMBUS, Ohio—How does a football team improve an offense that lost seven starters and was held without a touchdown in two of its three losses a year ago? During spring practices, trial-and-error seems to have been the most effective route to composing a new group of Ohio State linemen, backs and receivers, said offensive coordinator Jim Bollman. AP Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, center, times a kick drill during Sunday's practice at Ohio Stadium. Members of ... Read More

From: TimesGazette.com -- COLUMBUS - Jim Tressel tries to avoid prematurely judging his Ohio State teams. With 31 players gone from last year's squad heading into the start of spring practice on Thursday, it would be difficult to do anyway. "I've never really walked into a season and buying antibiotics online said, 'Well, this is a rebuilding year. We're not going to do as well,' or 'This is a reloading year, we're going to be better,' or 'We're experienced. Everything's going ... Read More

By: Rusty Miller (ZanesvilleTimesRecorder.com) -- COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Coach Jim Tressel says he tries to never prematurely judge his Ohio State teams. With 31 players missing from last year’s squad heading into the start of spring practice on Thursday, it would be difficult to do anyway. “I’ve never really walked into a season and said, ’Well, this is a rebuilding year. We’re not going to do as well,’ or ’This is a reloading year, we’re going to be better,’ or ’We’re experienced. ... Read More

By: Steve Doerschuk (CantonRep.com) -- Kellen Winslow and Joe Jurevicius are gone. Donté Stallworth is a few days removed from driving his Bentley into a pedestrian who died. Braylon Edwards is a question mark — All-Pro or All-Enigma? Syndric Steptoe, Josh Cribbs and Paul Hubbard combined for a grand total of 200 receiving yards in 2008. Who else is going to catch passes for the Browns in 2009? Do they have any choice but to spend a fairly high draft pick on that man? Ohio State’s Brian ... Read More

By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland Plain Dealer) -- Columbus- Running back Chris "Beanie" Wells returned from the NFL Combine three weeks ago with a plan, one that centered on getting a kick start from Ohio State strength coach Eric Lichter and working on 40 times until 10 p.m. some nights. A 4.59 40-yard dash in Indianapolis turned into something between a 4.34 and 4.40 at Ohio State's Pro Day on Friday. "If you were worried about his speed," said one NFL scout, "he ran ... Read More