Curtis Samuel was a serviceable backup during Ohio State's run through the College Football Playoff last year, but the talented all-purpose back is gearing up for a bigger role in 2015.
And as the Buckeyes approach the midway point of spring practice, Urban Meyer is scheming to get his rising sophomore more involved.
"The days of Curtis Samuel playing 10 plays are over," Meyer said, according to Tim Moody of The Lantern. "It’s our job to get him on the field for 40 or 50 plays."
Samuel's sudden emergence is one of the few bright spots for the Buckeyes in what has been a sluggish spring camp in Columbus. On Tuesday, Meyer declared that his team was "not very good right now," but he couldn't stop singing Samuel's praises.
"He's a guy that we've ID'd as a top-five playmaker right now in our program," Meyer said, via Moody.
That's a big deal because the Buckeyes have to replace some key contributors on offense.
For four years, Devin Smith filled the role as the team's deep threat in the passing game. He was sensational during his senior season last year, leading the country in average yards per reception (28.2) as he registered 931 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, according to CFBStats.com.
The Buckeyes also need to replace Evan Spencer, who provided the team with not only great leadership but also plays that didn't show up in the stat sheet.
With those two gone, Meyer and the Buckeyes coaching staff see an opportunity to shift Samuel from running back to the hybrid H-back position. With his blend of speed and power, they think he'll thrive on the perimeter.
"He has good hands, he can run routes so his role can be a lot of different places," co-offensive coordinator Ed Warinner said, according to Tim Shoemaker of Eleven Warriors. "We’re just trying to figure out how he can help this offense as a playmaker.”
Of course, playing the H-back position will allow Samuel to slide into the backfield and spell Ezekiel Elliott for a stretch. But with a move to the slot, it gives him a chance to be on the field more than a dozen plays a game.
He's proved his ability to produce.
During his freshman season, Samuel ran for 383 yards and six touchdowns, averaging an impressive 6.6 yards per carry. He also hauled in 11 passes for 95 yards, but those numbers are sure to grow in 2015.
And he'll finally be playing the role the coaching staff envisioned when Samuel first arrived on campus last year.
"I think (H-back) was where we ultimately saw him transitioning just because of his body type and skill set, speed, quickness and ball skills," former offensive coordinator Tom Herman said, via Ari Wasserman of The Plain Dealer.
That vision took a year to develop, but now that it has, Ohio State's offense will be much more lethal this fall.
David Regimbal is the Ohio State football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.
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