Running back room shows versatility and balance in the spring game

It's been a busy offseason for Ohio State's running back room, with the departure of three-year Buckeye Dallan Hayden and running backs coach Tony Alford heading to Michigan.

Despite the challenges the position group faced, of the four offensive touchdowns scored in this year's Spring Game Saturday, three came from running backs.

Additionally, none of those touchdowns came from running backs senior TreVeyon Henderson or junior Quinshon Judkins. The Buckeye's talented duo totaled eight carries, with Henderson gaining 18 yards on four carries and Judkins rushing for 32 yards on another four attempts.

Following Alford's departure, Ohio State hired Oregon running backs coach Carlos Locklyn, who appears to have already developed relationships with some of the players he will coach.

“Q[uinshon] is from where I come from, Montgomery, [Alabama]. I was one of the first to offer him this [a scholarship]Locklyn said in a press conference on Wednesday. “I just watch him, great contact balance, creative runner, great hands. And Trey, I recruited him out of Virginia, exceptional short-range offense and speed and things I'm going to help him get better at.”

These existing relationships contributed to head coach Ryan Day's overwhelm when deciding who to award the vacant coaching position to. Day said the running back room was excited when they found out Locklyn might be his new coach.

“When they heard he was one of the finalists, you could see they were excited about it,” Day said. “That may have been one of the things that put me over the top.”

Freshman running backs James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon and rising junior TC Caffey were each in the end zone in the spring game as the Scarlet Gray defeated 34-33.

“I thought all the running backs did a good job today,” Day said. “Certainly it was good for James and Sam to get the first opportunity to get tackled.”

Williams-Dixon led the team with 11 carries for 75 yards. Newly hired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said it's important for young players to take advantage of the opportunity to get their footing on the field.

“Don’t count your reps, make your reps count,” Kelly said.

Peoples had the first touchdown of the game for the Scarlet team in the second half and added another 10 carries for 36 yards.

“I recruited James Peoples from San Antonio, Texas. I knew what he was going to be,” Locklyn said.

Day also praised the freshman running backs, praising their skill, poise and skill.

“It’s great to see both James and Sam coming in as freshmen and learning quickly. You can see they both have talent,” Day said.

The final touchdown for the Scarlet team came from Caffey, who was on the ground from 4 yards out, giving Scarlet a eight-point lead with 7:22 remaining.

“The other guy who was very, very good there and I think will play for us and get carries for us is TC Caffey,” Day said in the same press conference. “He’s done a very good job, he’s very disciplined in his approach and he’s a guy who can really add value for us.”

Overall, the potential in this year's running back room is tremendous and will be an integral part of the Buckeyes' plans for success this fall.