The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Buckeyes experiencing ‘J.K. Dobbins effect’
A true freshman running back from Texas has made a dent on the initial depth chart for the Ohio State football team this season, affording the Buckeyes and Coach Urban Meyer versatility.
The initial depth chart the Ohio State football team expected to have this season has undergone an upheaval before it has even been released.
You can attribute it to the J.K. Dobbins Effect.
The arrival — and maybe more so the emergence — of the true freshman running back has had a ripple effect throughout the Buckeyes’ running back room.
Because of the seamless transition to the college game by the 5-foot-10, 208-pound college rookie from LaGrange, Texas:
• Starting running back Mike Weber can take his time returning from an offseason hamstring injury.
• Sophomore DeMario McCall (North Ridgeville) can move over for more HBack reps.
• The competition for carries hypothetically makes everyone in the mix for those carries that much better.
Running backs coach Tony Alford quickly pointed out that redshirt sophomore Weber, who ran for 1,096 yards last season, is still the unquestioned starter.
But there’s no doubt who is the second-stringer, ahead of sophomore Antonio Williams, McCall and even junior Parris Campbell, who like McCall is slated to play primarily at H-Back this season.
“Oh, J.K., without a question,” Alford said. “He’s going to contribute. I’m not trying to be nice. It is what it is. He is going to contribute.”
Dobbins has not been made available to the media this preseason for comment on his transition from high school to the college game. An Ohio State spokesman said that is policy since he has yet to take a college snap.
But to a person, the players who have been asked this month who is the freshman who has caught their eye the most, it’s Dobbins.
“He’s played like he’s been here for a few years,” junior linebacker Jerome Baker said. “He’s definitely a good guy, he’s fun to be around. But on the field, he’s a monster.”
Dobbins was dominating in high school, rushing for 5,149 yards and 74 touchdowns in his first three years before breaking a bone in his right leg on the first play of his senior season.
He came to Ohio State as a four-star recruit and the No. 2 all-purpose back in the nation by 247Sports.
After enrolling at Ohio State in January, Dobbins is — as of now — the No. 2 running back on an unofficial OSU depth chart (at least by Alford’s estimation).
“This guy knows football. He’s smart,” Alford said. “I would say in my 22 years — not to take anything away from anyone else — this guy has picked it up faster than anyone ever has. He understands the nuances of the offense. He goes so hard, which happens to be the culture of this program.”
Dobbins’ emergence means Weber doesn’t have to rush back into action after injuring his hamstring four weeks ago.
Weber said he has been limited to rehab, mental reps and watching film, but said on Aug. 18, “I should be in good shape” for the Aug. 31 opener at Indiana.
He has been impressed with Dobbins’ emergence.
“I feel like he has improved from spring ball,” Weber said. “He learned all the plays. He’s an impressive running back and a good pass-blocker. He should help us win this season.”
McCall said because of Dobbins’ performance, he has moved primarily to the wide receiver’s room as he is slated to play mostly at H-Back this season. McCall said he will still line up at running back some this year.
As a true freshman last fall, McCall had the most rushing yards by a true freshman (270) than any OSU true freshman since Beanie Wells (576) in 2006.
“What surprised me is how he came in and got the playbook so fast,” said McCall, snapping his fingers.
“Now that he knows his stuff, it’s a great opportunity for him to get on the field even more.”
Alford didn’t hazard a guess how much Dobbins will play this fall or how many carries he would get. He pointed out that a year ago at this time, no one in the running backs room had ever taken a hand-off in a college game.
With Weber, Williams, McCall and Campbell — not to mention the presence of senior quarterback J.T. Barrett — that’s not the case this season.
Factoring in the J.K. Dobbins Effect strengthens the Ohio State running game that much more.
“He makes a lot of plays. He’s a fast-twitch guy,” Alford said.
“He has a second gear we are looking for.
“His time will come,” Alford continued. “When he is called upon, we expect him to produce and not have a drop-off.”