COLUMBUS — When a caller to Urban Meyer’s weekly radio show on 97.1 WBNS-FM on Thursday afternoon asked if Ohio State had a problem with having too many playmakers who wanted the football, Meyer quickly corrected him.
“No. We want some more if you’ve got some more,” Meyer said.
With Braxton Miller, Jalin Marshall, Curtis Samuel and Dontre Wilson all competing for playing time at OSU’s H-back position, the caller was not the first person to ask if that position was getting a little crowded.
“You try to preach the team first mentality. Wanting the ball to help your team win is not selfish,” Meyer said. “Carlos Hyde used to do that. But if you’re some clown who doesn’t practice hard or take care of business off the field, don’t say I want the ball.”
Miller has quickly become the first option at the H-back, a hybrid position that is a combination of running back and wide receiver. OSU goes into every game trying to get 10 touches for Miller, according to Meyer.
Wilson is still recovering from two surgeries to repair a broken foot he suffered against Michigan State last November.
“Dontre is not 100 percent yet from that foot,” Meyer said.
NOTES:
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES: Former football coach Jim Tressel, 1960s defensive back Tim Anderson and receiver Joey Galloway will be among 14 people inducted into Ohio State’s Varsity O Hall of Fame this weekend.
WEBER’S DEBUT DELAYED: Freshman running back Mike Weber’s return from meniscus surgery has been delayed to next week. On Monday, Meyer said he expected Weber back on Saturday against Northern Illinois.
“He’s probable for next week. He’s a little sore,” Meyer said.
WILL MILLER THROW?: In his new role as a receiver/H-back/part-time quarterback, Miller has run the ball 13 times and caught five passes but has not thrown a pass.
Adding that to Miller’s new role could be coming soon, Meyer said.
“He can throw. We’re still very cautious because that would be a bad thing for him to hurt himself, but he can throw,” Meyer said, referring to Miller’s two shoulder surgeries that kept him out of action all of the 2014 season. “It’s real close that he’s going to be able to pass the ball for us. You might potentially see a pass from him this week.”
TALKING TOLEDO: Meyer said he tried to hire Toledo coach Matt Campbell when he was assembling his first staff at Ohio State in 2012. He said he sent Campbell a message after Toledo beat Arkansas last week.