Ohio State Buckeyes P.M. Links: Jack Mewhort will get his chance; New assistant moves in; Pryor's pro dreams; Jack has his say

The Buckeyes will tap into the versatility of offensive lineman Jack Mewhort.

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerOhio State Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel.

Toledo St. John’s Jesuit grad Jack Mewhort is one of the numerous Buckeyes caught up in the constant traffic on the depth chart, writes Matt Markey of The Toledo Blade.

Markey writes that Mewhort was slated as a likely starter at guard for 2011. He was a redshirt in 2009 and a backup last season.  Mewhort has worked there, at center, and been part of the crucial auditions at left tackle.

But since Mike Adams, an All-Big Ten first-team choice last season at left tackle, will sit out the first five games due to suspension, Mewhort will get a solid shot.

 

“We’re moving a lot of guys around, trying different combinations and really giving everyone a lot of reps at different positions,” Ohio State’s All-American center Mike Brewster said. “Jack’s in there working hard too, and demonstrating his versatility. He’s played there [left tackle] before, so that’s plus for us.”

 

Doug Pearson, Mewhort’s high school coach, said:

“Jack liked playing center so we mostly kept him there, but he’s demonstrated he can handle all three line positions,” Pearson said. “Ohio State played him at all three places that first spring he was down there, so I think they’ve been keeping that flexibility in mind all along.”

  

New coach, new town

New OSU wide receivers' coach Stan Drayton joined the Buckeyes recently to make this his 12th job in 19 years.

Ken Gordon of The Columbus Dispatch writes how the Draytons' latest relocation seemed a bit curious to some, because Stan had been back with Florida for only a year when Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel called seeking a replacement for receivers coach Darrell Hazell, who took the head coaching job at Kent State.

 

Drayton had spent most of his career coaching running backs, and OSU's leading returning receiver, DeVier Posey, was facing an NCAA suspension. And he certainly would not be upgrading to a better climate.

But through all of their flitting around the country, and with two daughters to consider - Amari is 6 and Anaya is 3 - the Draytons decided there was no substitute for being close to family.

  

 

Pryor's future

Although quarterback Terrelle Pryor will sit out Ohio State's spring game Saturday because of an ankle surgery and start his senior season with a five-game suspension for violating NCAA rules, NFL talent evaluators are weighing his pro prospects, writes FoxSportsOhio.com reporter Bruce Hooley.

 

So, flashing forward to next year at this time, Pryor is already assured of having two check marks in the negative column when it comes to attracting an NFL suitor.

There are plenty of numbers to make a case for Pryor as an outstanding college quarterback, starting with Ohio State's 30-5 record since he stepped into the lineup the fourth game of his freshman season.

 

Golf and football

Doug Lesmerises of The Plain Dealer talks to OSU great Jack Nicklaus about football, instead of golf.

 

Nicklaus said he isn't close to Tressel, but does talk to him. He said he isn't privy to any inside information. But in his role as a fan with some clout, it's interesting to hear Nicklaus express what some OSU fans think, or maybe hope, is the truth.

"I can't imagine that the university didn't know what was going on," Nicklaus said. "Unless Jim, who is a terrific guy, maybe he decided to take it on his own shoulders. That could be, I don't know. I just like him a lot."

 
 

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2011/04/ohio_state_buckeyes_pm_links_8.html

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