COLUMBUS – Seven players are in their fifth year of eligibility at Ohio State. Most are among the best players in college football.
Coach Urban Meyer says it’s unusual at a big-time football program that regularly churns our early departing stars for the NFL and he appreciates the maturity and leadership those players bring.
“You can’t put a price tag on that, and I saw that developing throughout the off-season and in the spring practice. It’s unusual. I don’t know if we’ve ever had that,” he told reporters this week.
The group is led by quarterback J.T. Barrett and Tyquan Lewis, the reigning Big Ten defensive player of the year, and also includes center Billy Price, linebacker Chris Worley, defensive tackles Michael Hill and Tracy Sprinkle and tight end Marcus Baugh.
Meyer also told reporters that the for the back-up quarterback position behind Barrett is essentially between redshirt sophomore Joe Burrow and redshirt freshman Dwayne Haskins. He also said true freshman Tate Martell is in the mix because he “gives us a weapon,” but that he is still getting a grasp on the offense.