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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Despite a 1,053-yard, 10-touch run, J.K. Dobbins said last season was a frustrating personal failure.
"I did not make the defenses fear me as I should," said the Ohio State Vice President, while promising to bounce back in 2019.
After setting a first-class race record in 2017 with 1,403 yards, her numbers dropped last season. In the pack with Mike Weber, Dobbins averaged 4.6 yards per race, compared to 7.2 per race the year before, as the play behind record quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. took the lead from the scene.
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After playing six 100-kilometer games as a freshman, he made only three goals last season and the current game against the Buckeyes failed to find consistency.
"I do not know if he has struggled so much that we could just do better to play and put him in good positions and improve some of the blocking," said offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. "For me, running is a group effort, and our group was good, but not as good as it should be."
The pieces are being set up for a productive year for Dobbins, and his broad smile is the first indication.
"I just feel like the best running back in the country and I want to prove it," said the 20-year-old junior. "I did not do it last year and I have a flea on the shoulder because I know I can do better."
He worked hard during the off-season to reduce his body fat by 4% – now down to 8% – without losing sight of his 5-foot-10, 217-pound frame. Once Weber left for the NFL, Dobbins will be the featured halfback, and he is on the verge of getting a ton of litters earlier than expected for new quarterback Justin Fields.
With Fields 'double threat at quarterback, the offense will likely be more similar to that of 2017 when J. T. Barrett, still threatened to carry the ball himself, opened Dobbins' defenses.
"I want to have that responsibility, the team relying on me when needed," Dobbins said.
Dobbins also has the added motivation of knowing that a huge season and some discussions on the Heisman Trophy will strengthen his NFL base stock if he decides to leave after this season.
New Buckeyes coach Ryan Day relies on Dobbins. The fields were not dazzling in the spring, so it remains to be seen how long it will take to find his stride. The offensive line only returns one full-time starter and can take a long time to freeze.
"J.K has to play big for us and play big for us the first six games," said Day. "The offensive line is going to block, but we've talked to JK many times, we had to transfer 3-yard runs in 5-yard and 5-yard runs in 6 and 7 yard runs, and he's The big games would come in. Last year, when he came in and out with Mike, I sometimes think he was looking for the home run, and this year, in his first six games, he has to prove himself and play as a veteran for us. "
Ohio State is always looking for one or two backups. Master Teague, a freshman in a red shirt, seemed like a good option, but an injury prevented him from training. Day said Demario McCall, the junior of the red jersey, who was used as back H, and newcomers Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers are candidates.
Dobbins are said to be willing to bear the burden. Another 1,000-yard season would put him in good company: Archie Griffin, a two-time winner at Heisman, is the only other Buckeye to have won 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.
"I feel, he said, that everything is set up at the right time."
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