By Steve Patterson
Chris Wells
might be sitting out now but Running Backs Coach Dick Tressel is looking for
ways to get Wells the ball more in 2008. “We will be looking to get him the
ball in many different ways.” He said about the junior running back. “Well try
to get some passes out to him and find him in the flats. When he has the ball
big things can happen.” Coach Tressel said. Wells rushed 274 times last year
and caught the ball five times out of the backfield.
Wells was
injured most of last season but continued to play and run hard without sitting
out a single game and Coach Tressel took notice. “The way he runs so hard and
the way he puts his body on the line it is the sign of a person that can lead
by example. The fact that he is willing to want to contribute even when he is
not 100-percent makes him special.” Coach Tressel explained to the press
recently after a spring practice.
Although
the rest was good for Wells’ recovery last spring, setting out is something
that he does not like to do. “It made me mad more than anything because I
wanted to play in the spring game.” Wells said. “I wanted to get back on that
field. I got hit by (James) Laurinaitius, (Larry) Grant and Kurt Coleman.”
Chris Wells reported about his 2007 spring injury.
Wells feels playing through pain is
a part of being a starting running back in college football. “They [injures] happen
sometimes. I have learned to just roll with it and to just deal with it and
move on. It is just part of the game.”
Senior Ryan
Lukens, a recently converted fullback, reported that Wells is looking 100% and
participating in all the activities this spring. “He’s a hard working guy. The
sky is the limit with him. He takes it one day at a time. He’s working hard to
get over his injury. Coaches are having him do everything. I think he looks 100
percent.”
*Portions courtesy of OhioStateBuckeyes.com