The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Farrell vying for playing time
COLUMBUS » “Number 89 ... Number 89... Can I get your autograph?”
The young fans hanging over the railing at the corner of Ohio Stadium didn’t know Luke Farrell’s name at the conclusion of the Buckeyes’ spring game on April 15.
But if the 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end from Perry has anything to say about it, his name will be more well-known by the time the 2017 season runs its course.
A year ago this time, Farrell was finishing up his senior year at Perry. Now he is putting his best foot forward toward earning playing time in the 2017 season.
Farrell drew the starting nod for the Scarlet team in the annual spring game at Ohio State, catching two passes for 25 yards.
Scarlet came out on top of Gray, 38-31, on April 15. But to Farrell — and to most of the other Buckeyes — this was about finding out how far they have come individually and as a team since the beginning of spring exercises.
“I’ve made a lot of improvement this spring,” Farrell said. “I’m just trying to keep a good attitude, get better and keep getting stronger as well. It’s been a really good spring.”
Farrell is in a battle for playing time behind starter Marcus Baugh, who was held out of spring practices. A.J. Alexander was the backup last year, and he started for Gray on April 15, while Farrell started for Scarlet.
Jake Hausmann and Kierre Hawkins are also in the mix at tight end. Like Farrell, both are redshirt freshmen.
“No idea,” Farrell said of how the tight end depth chart looks. “But that really doesn’t mean as much to me as does continuing what I’ve been working on when camp comes around and we put the pads back on (in August).”
Farrell redshirted last season, meaning he practiced
throughout the season without any game action. He used a bulk of that time to get physically stronger. While he said he has “only” put on 10 or 15 pounds since enrolling at Ohio State, he indicated he is more lean and stronger than at any time last year.
He credits strength coach Mickey Marotti and new position coach Kevin Wilson — who is also Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator — for that physical transformation.
“(Wilson) really pinpointed the issues I had been having, and we’ve been working on them every day,” he
said. “When I came in here, I wasn’t as strong as you’d expect a tight end to be. He has helped me a lot with that.”
Both of Farrell’s receptions came from redshirt sophomore Joe Burrow, one in the left flat for a 12-yard gain and the other down the seam on a 13-yard gain.
Farrell nearly capped his spring with a touchdown. On the last play of the game, Farrell seemingly had a pass from true freshman Tate Martell hauled in for a score, but the ball was stripped away.
Farrell wrinkled his nose thinking about that play.
“I’ve got to be able to go up and pull those ones down in the future,” he said. “I’ll get there.”
Farrell also lined up as the starting outside protector on all of the extra-point kicks and field goals — regardless of which team (Scarlet or Gray) was kicking them.
If Aug. 15 was any indication, Farrell is right in the thick of things for playing time this coming fall.
“I’m really excited for it,” he said of the upcoming season. “We got a little taste of (what to expect) here and we can light it up on offense. And we have one of the best defenses in the country, too.
“It’s just a privilege to play here.”
Farrell isn’t only excelling on the gridiron this spring. In late March, he was one of the 38 football players who earned OSU Scholar-Athlete recognition from the university.
Farrell is majoring in exercise science.
“Chemistry is pretty tough right now. It’s my only B,” Farrell said. “The academic part is real important to me, I take pride in that. I’d like to think I was a pretty good student when I came out of high school. I just want to continue that here, but on a different level.”