The War Room | HoustonProFootball.com 
April 5, 2004
Bumper Crop of Buckeyes
by Keith Weiland
HoustonProFootball.com
April is the time of year NFL teams harvest college prospects, and the draft-eligible players hailing from Ohio State are among the most plentiful in supply this year. Having gone two years since producing a first round player, the Buckeyes may have as many as three of them this time around. If so, it would be their most since 1999 when WR David Boston, DB Antoine Winfield, and LB Andy Katzenmoyer graduated to the NFL.
With such a bounty of talent available at Ohio State, HoustonProFootball.com went to Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch for his local insight into CB Chris Gamble, DE Will Smith, WR Michael Jenkins, and several more Buckeyes ready for the pros.
HPF: Finding a cornerback to groom in the secondary might be a high priority for the Texans in this draft, and Chris Gamble is among the best available. Expectations were high for Gamble in 2003, and while he played well, some feel as though his progress could have shown more strides. Why was last year as challenging as it was for him?
May: Gamble went from just being thrown out there in desparation in the middle of the year in 2002 and being told to shut down the opposing team’s best receiver, to actually having to play within the coverage schemes of the defense last year. Several of his major gaffes were simple mistakes of technique, which over time can be corrected. Don’t forget, in the Michigan game he also came up with a huge interception that gave OSU a chance to tie it early in the fourth quarter, but the offense could not convert. His upside is way up there.
HPF: Gamble has basically shut down great receivers like Washington’s Reggie Williams and Miami’s (now the Texans’) Andre Johnson. Yet, Gamble has also been burned deep, notably against Michigan. How seriously did Gamble approach the position this year relative to past years, and does Gamble have any desire to continue playing receiver in the NFL?
May: Chris would prefer never to leave the field. I do believe wide receiver was and always will be his first love because he enjoys having the ball in his hands. He is extremely elusive (roll tape of the interception return for TD against Penn State in 2002) and as fast as he needs to be.
He is raw. But if you put him out there and tell him to dance with the opponent, he can do it step for step. He also is more physical than you might think.
HPF: The Texans were present for Ohio State’s pro day workouts last month. Was there anyone that they showed any particular interest in scouting or interviewing?
May: To be honest, I was covering a basketball tournament that day and wasn’t there. The media doesn’t get to watch anyway because we’d be a "distraction". But I hope the Texans were interested in Gamble, DE Will Smith, WR Michael Jenkins, and DT Tim Anderson for starters. If not, they must have had their eyes closed. And don’t sleep on QB Craig Krenzel. He’s more athletic than you think, and though OSU doesn’t by any means just let ‘er rip in the passing game, he is as clutch a performer as I’ve seen.
HPF: Will Smith posted some great speed numbers at his pro day workout. With a huge audience present that day, what kind of buzz did his performance produce? And given his abilities, what do you think Smith’s chances for success are as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme?
May: Tremendous buzz. Everybody likes him. And with former OSU DE Mike Vrabel, a so-called tweener coming out of college, now flourishing in a tailor made role for him in the Patriots defense, others should be able to find a place for Smith. He dropped often into coverage on zone blitzes the past couple of years. And despite that ability and his speed, his bull rush might have been his strongest collegiate weapon.
People likely are going to start copying what New England does more and more, because when you have a swing guy like Vrabel — is he rushing, is he dropping — it makes life difficult for a quarterback and an offensive line. The new age is upon us.
HPF: Michael Jenkins is getting lost in the shuffle somewhat in a very deep class of wideouts this year. Just how good is he, and do you think he’ll have a greater impact in the NFL than any of the guys that might be taken ahead of him?
May: Some watches had him sub 4.4 seconds in the OSU pro day. It was ludicrous that people discounted his speed. His pass-catching got better seemingly every day at Ohio State, and his clutch plays, especially in the national chamionship season of 2002, are now part of Ohio State lore. And don’t forget, he is 6-foot-5, 215-220 pounds. He is a big, fast man. And that’s a short line.
HPF: What are Gamble, Smith, and Jenkins like off the field?
May: Jenkins is quiet and reserved, and has never been in trouble that I know of. Smith likes to have a good time, but is sincere and respectful of the fans and the media. He would be a plus for any organization. Gamble didn’t start the Michigan game last year because he had gone to the late-night aid of a friend the week before. Otherwise, he’s had no record of being a problem on or off the field. He will do anything that’s asked of him.
HPF: The Buckeyes are stacked with NFL prospects. How would you rate the pro potential of others like TE Ben Hartsock, S Will Allen, OL Shane Olivea, and DT Tim Anderson?
May: Man, oh man, talk about your consummate All-American boy, that’s Hartsock. Raised on a farm, a pre-med major who is already married, he also turned out to be a great tight end in college. He had some spectacular catches his senior year, which helped disspell the myth that he was simply a glorified tackle (though he blocks like a demon). He’s also faster than he might look. And off the field — send him to any function, be it a retirement home or a kindergarten class. He’ll be engaging and he won’t embarass you.
Allen I guess has had some disappointing workouts, which is too bad. Because in some of the toughest situations the past two years, he was the man who ended up around the ball making the big play. Some guys have that knack. He also has no qualms about rolling up and smacking somebody. Anybody.
Olivea had several physical ailments through his four years ago, but when healthy he moved people out at right tackle and showed good pass-pro ability. His best days definitely are ahead of him.
Anderson? Well, he’s a Dale Earnhardt Jr. diehard, to start with. A former state champion wrestler, he was relentless in the trench, but there’s more to him than sheer will. He’s what, 6 foot 4, 290 pounds? And he has a 32-inch vertical leap. OSU even used him some at a LEO rush spot as last season went on, and he was effective.
HPF: Couldn’t let you get away without at least one question on RB Maurice Clarett. He left the Combine with mixed reviews, though his freshman season leaves many intrigued about his potential following the ruling that allows him eligibility for the draft. Is Clarett ready for the NFL, physically and emotionally, and do you think he has many regrets about his Buckeye career?
May: The little I know about the NFL is if you’ve got game, they can overlook some of the other questions. Clarett’s immediate future is hanging on the workout he’s expected to go through Monday, April 5, for the scouts and coaches. Long term, he’s 6 feet, 235 pounds or so, with a tremendous explosion and the knack to find the crack inside, along with the ability to make somebody miss on the outside or run through an arm tackle. If he stays healthy, he will make noise in the NFL. Guys with his ability don’t come around every day. And remember, before his problems surfaced mid-summer last year, he was considered the Heisman Trophy favorite in most circles. And now he’s just a batch of baked beans? That does not compute.
Tim May was born in Alabama but graduated from Lufkin (Texas) High School in 1972. He was the sports editor of the Lufkin News from late 1973-76 until he moved to Columbus to attend Ohio State. He has been working for the Columbus Dispatch since then covering all kinds of sports, including the Bengals and Browns, and three Super Bowls. Covering OSU football has been his main job since 1984, though he has also covered the Indianapolis 500 every year since 1985 and various other stuff.
HoustonProFootball.com thanks him for his time and insight.
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