Title defense begins with “rise & grind”

COLUMBUS, Ohio – It’s hard to fathom that a national champion expected to be a powerhouse again this fall believes it doesn’t get enough respect.

But that’s the tack that Ohio State’s players are taking as they get into the meat of spring practices. The Buckeyes believe that, despite lofty rankings and lots of praise, many people just don’t give them their due.

Even in the wake of the 42-20 rout of Oregon in January’s College Football Playoff title game, linebacker Joshua Perry believes that the Buckeyes have a lot to prove to supposed doubters who think last year’s 14-1 championship run was a fluke.

Photo courtesy The Ohio State University Dept. of Athletics
Coach Urban Meyer welcomes back 44 lettermen, including fourteen offensive and defensive starters, from his national championship team. -Photo courtesy The Ohio State University Dept. of Athletics

So they plan on using that as motivation for the months of workouts ahead.

Coach Urban Meyer and strength coach Mickey Marotti have termed this year the “grind,” Scheduling practice, meeting, training and workouts to mornings. The “rise and grind” practice routine began Tuesday and will culminate with the 2015 LifeSports Spring Game, presented by Nationwide, at 1:30 p.m. April 18 in Ohio Stadium.

Of the 90 players on Meyer’s spring roster, 44 are returning lettermen: 20 on offense; 21 on defense and three specialists.

Fourteen starters from both sides of the ball return, including seven from an offense that set 17 team records last season, led by junior Cardale Jones, who will be the only one of three quarterbacks who will see action this spring. Senior Braxton Miller and sophomore J.T. Barrett remain on the mend from surgeries last season.

The remaining offensive starters include Sugar Bowl and national championship game offensive MVP Ezekiel Elliott, all-Big Ten receiver Michael Thomas, and linemen Taylor Decker, Pat Elflein, Jacoby Boren, and Billy Price.

The seven returning defensive starters are consensus All-American end Joey Bosa, tackle Adolphus Washington, linebacker Joshua Perry, the team’s leading tackler last season; Sugar Bowl defensive MVP Darron Lee, national championship game MVP safety Tyvis Powell, interception leader Vonn Bell, and cornerback Eli Apple.

The Buckeyes open their 2015 at Virginia Tech Sept. 7. The Hokies were the only team to beat Ohio State during its run to the title.