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In August, Rob Schoenhoft was fighting to become Ohio State’s starting quarterback. Now, he’s lost his position entirely.
Coach Jim Tressel confirmed that the 6-foot-6-inch sophomore has practiced almost exclusively as a tight end over the last month, meaning redshirt freshman Antonio Henton will back up Todd Boeckman Monday night – perhaps hinting that the coach has a good feeling about landing Terrelle Pryor, the nation’s top high school quarterback recruit.
Tressel said the move is not permanent, but Henton has clearly impressed during bowl practices.
And less than four months after his arrest for soliciting a prostitute – Henton was suspended for seven games – he just might be called upon in the season’s biggest game.
“You better go in with two quarterbacks ready to win, especially in a championship game,” Tressel said, later indicating he might use the fleet-footed Henton in certain formations.
What this means for Schoenhoft is unclear. The obituary for his career under center has not been written, but it’s hard to imagine Tressel meddling like this if he saw Schoenhoft as the team’s future quarterback.
At this point, it seems entirely plausible the 244-pound Schoenhoft will continue his career catching balls from his one-time competition.
“(The switch) is going to be as permanent as he wants it to be,” wideout Brian Hartline said. “I’ve told people that he can be a great tight end. You heard it first from me right now. He can move. You should see him play basketball. He’s got great hands.”
As for Pryor, widely regarded as the nation’s top athlete, he has narrowed his final schools to OSU, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State and Florida. The Buckeyes, who perhaps bumped Schoenhoft as a way to show their commitment to the five-star quarterback, are thought to be the leading wooers.
Pryor will announce his decision on Feb. 6, National Signing Day.
Bucks get swagThe Buckeyes look to have come out winners with their haul of bowl swag.
Among the gifts OSU players received this week are a Nintendo Wii system, “Madden 08” and two other Wii games, a Majestic Fleece pullover and a New Era hat. OSU also will let the players keep their bowl jerseys.
Sure, the Buckeyes’ loot could have been glitzier. The creative folks behind the Champs Sports Bowl just gave every player a $400 gift card to Best Buy.
But hey, at least nobody tried to supplement their spoils Oklahoma-style – the Sooners sent home starting defensive end DeMarcus Granger after he was arrested for trying to steal a coat from a Burlington Coat Factory near the team’s Glendale, Ariz. hotel.
And they could have always had it worse. Consider the reward for the forced march to the Motor City Bowl in Detroit endured by Purdue and Central Michigan. Besides a December trip (all-expenses paid) to Michigan’s most cozy metropolis, players left with a Timely Watch Co. watch, a rolling duffle bag and a commemorative football.
Bowls can spend up to $500 per player on gifts while the schools can’t exceed $350.
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Buckeyes flying high?OSU will also be without freshman defensive back Eugene Clifford, though for a different reason.
Clifford, according to a report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, was suspended for failing a drug test.
Not that the move is entirely surprising. As a senior in high school in March, Clifford was cited for marijuana possession.
Tressel, to his credit, at least did not hedge the truth this year.
Before last season’s title game, Tressel said linebacker John Kerr was “banged a little.”
In reality (unless Tress’ was using street slang), Kerr was suspended for a failed drug test, according to the Plain Dealer report.
Scarlet victoryGuess Tressel really is intent on obliterating all memories of last year’s title flop.
For the first time in OSU’s five BCS games, the Buckeyes will wear their scarlet threads.
As the higher-ranked team, the Buckeyes got to pick which jerseys they would wear. And some figured the scarlet and gray might go with white to spite LSU, which traditionally wears white at home and in bowl games.
Then again, maybe Tressel did his research. OSU will be at a statistical advantage in its darker duds.
Yes, according to a study conducted by researchers Russell Hill and Robert Barton of Durham University in Britain, the color red’s evolutionary association with dominance can instill a submissive feeling in the opposition.
In the pair’s analysis of over 400 matches in four individual sports between competitors at the 2004 Olympics, the athletes donning red won 62 percent of particularly close contests.
“The color of sportswear needs to be taken into account to ensure a level playing field in sport,” the researchers concluded.
Hey, if that’s what it takes.
Quotable“Last year, I think I went to the Renaissance Weekend, which is where a lot of very smart people get together and talk for four days about very important issues. This year, I’m going to go down (to New Orleans) and scream like hell. So, yes, my life has changed, absolutely.” – OSU president Gordon Gee to reporters on the benefits of leaving his post at Vanderbilt University.
TCU coming inTake your shots at OSU’s non-conference schedule while you can.
The Buckeyes are getting serious, reportedly adding a home game with Texas Christian University to an already rich 2009 slate. The emerging Horned Frogs – TCU is 30-8 over the last three seasons – will visit Columbus Sept. 5, leaving the Buckeyes with non-conference home games against Southern California and New Mexico State and a Sept. 19 date against Toledo at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
David Briggs can be reached at [email protected].
