Drew Thurman (2:11 pm)
There is one question at the back of every Buckeye fan's mind, "what happens to the running back position after Beanie leaves?" Go to about any board and you will see some post about this topic. Maybe not directly, but there are thousands of topics and posts just dedicated to the recruitment of running backs in the 2009 class.
There is some merit to this concern as well. With Devoe Torrence not being in the 2008 class the Buckeyes did not bring in a true running back. So if Beanie does indeed leave after the season, that would leave the Buckeyes with Saine and Herron. So, let's look at the running backs in 2009 class...
Jordan Hall
Hall committed to the Buckeyes in April, and is most known for being Terrelle Pryor's teammate. There are a lot of questions that surround Hall, and his senior season could tell a lot. One of the biggest questions is if he will actually play running back at Ohio State. Like Laamar Thomas, Hall's size and speed could put him at wideout or as being a returner.
Carlos Hyde
Hyde seems to be the fan favorite to fill Beanie's shoes, and to be in the 2009 class. This is probably because he runs with a similar style to Beanie. At 6-1 225, Hyde is a dominating runner who does shy away from taking a hit. Hyde is originally from Ohio, and this is about the best thing working for the Buckeyes. He has a host of offers, and the staff is going to have to continue to fight for Hyde. He does fit the Buckeye mold well, and he is really exciting to watch on film.
Jamaal Berry
Berry seems to have to most realistic chance of being a Buckeye at this point. Berry has made it clear that the Buckeyes are his leader over schools like Florida, Michigan, and LSU. Berry is a gamebreaker who has a ton of speed. Some Buckeye experts seem to think he may not fit our system as well as Hyde, but our system may very well change under Terrelle Pryor. Berry seems to be a great fit as a combo running back next to Pryor.
Bud Golden
Golden does not get much play or talk among Buckeye fans. We should not be so quick to write him off though. Golden has some nice skills, and he really impressed at the Nike Camp at Ohio State. Golden also has very nice size and speed. At 6-0 195, Golden has the ability to both break tackles and break away. I am also impressed with how fast Golden hits the hole. He is a total north-south runner who does not waste his time dancing around. Unlike Hyde and Berry he does not have an offer, but that could change anytime. If either one of them fall through, get ready to see the staff show some more interest in Golden. Here is a link to his video...
http://scoutingohio.com/Bud_Golden_Sycamore.htm
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