Though some of the recruiting shine rusted away for Ohio State running back Mike Weber near the end of his courtship with the Buckeyes, expectations remain obscenely high for the 5-foot-10, 212-pound ball-carrier. Weber was once a five-star prospect and, with Ezekiel Elliott on to the NFL and out of the way, the redshirt freshman has emerged as one of the leading candidates for the starting job in a backfield that already includes an All-American quarterback in J.T. Barrett.
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If this week is any indication, that "race" for the top spot on the depth chart just might be over.
Yes, that is Weber dominating with a stiff arm at Ohio State practice and, later, the official OSU Twitter account took a moment to place the spotlight on the team's most explosive back.
For further evidence, the Buckeyes also released a full training camp video from the team's practice on Aug. 13, and Weber is seen showing off some of the elusiveness that makes him a potential star.
It is fair to suggest that Curtis Samuel, who is the team's most experienced running back with more than 500 career yards, has a chance to win touches, but Weber's upside is undeniable. Urban Meyer and company can be fickle with information this time of year, but at this point, it will be a surprise if Mike Weber isn't the bell cow of this offense when it comes to the running game.