Photo Courtesy of Rivals.com
Jaamal Berry.
Although Ohio State has recently lost Chris Wells, there is no excitement lost on the incoming freshman running back Jaamal Berry. Berry, out of Miami Fla., is ranked ESPN's No. 3 running back of the 2009 class, 22nd overall.
At 5 feet 11 inches and 185 pounds, Berry has shown to be the type of speedy running back the Buckeyes have been looking for. He brings multiple talents and an intense physicality to the program, said Kevin Noon, managing editor of ohiostate.rivals.com.
"Where some smaller backs have failed before, I think that Berry has the physicality to really complement any other running back that Ohio State will have in his time," Noon said.
Berry, though smaller than any of the running backs that have recently been at OSU, has speed not typically seen in the Big Ten, with a 4.31-second 40-yard dash.
"Berry is very unique in his running style. He is much more like an SEC runner than anything else," Noon said.
Steve Helwagen of Bucknuts.com said Berry is the perfect guy to come into the program and play with last year's breakout quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
"He's a guy that would be really good out of the spread formation playing with Pryor because he can catch the ball out of the back field and he seems to have good vision in the open field," Helwagen said.
Despite being classified as a speed-track back, Berry is deceptively powerful, with the ability to break through contact and finish his runs with extra momentum.
In an interview on Bucknuts.com, Berry described himself as an all-around running back.
"A speed back. A power back. I have a combination of it all that will make me more dangerous to defenders," Berry said.
When asked what running back he would compare himself to, Berry said his running style is a lot like Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings, but he also aspires to Marion Barber's tough style.
Helwagen compares Berry to Antonio Pittman, who played for OSU from 2004-2006 with quarterback Troy Smith, because of their similar physical features and style of play.
"Berry is a very shifty back who can really make great cuts in the open field, which is what sets him apart," Helwagen said.
Noon said the four-star recruit could make an impact early in his career as a Buckeye.
"You could see him getting some carries early in his freshman year just because of the fact that Boom [Daniel Herron] will get 20 to 25 carries a game and then it's going to really be open to Saine and the two freshman running backs," Noon said.
Brandon Saine, who hasn't performed as well as people hoped after knee injury in his freshman year, should be challenged by the freshman if Berry can grasp Tressel's offense, Noon said.
Berry, who suffered ankle and wrist injuries during his senior season of high school, said he thinks he could be splitting time with the other backs if he performs his best.
"At worst he comes in as the third-team guy, and at best he comes in and pushes Herron for the first-team spot," said Helwagen. "They need someone to come in and provide depth and it would be a tremendous help if he could come in and contribute right away."
Berry said he liked everything about the university after his first visit to the 2008 spring game.
"The whole atmosphere is crazy, like the football atmosphere, the college town, the football fans are crazy, everything is just football there," Berry said. "It's just great. They have a good tradition of sending people to the NFL. They are always competing for a national title and are always high in the BCS poll. It's just a great school that I fell in love with."
Molly Gray can be reached at gray.557@osu.edu.
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