Article published September 03, 2009
OSU's Mewhort a possible redshirt
By MATT MARKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
COLUMBUS - Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was purposefully noncommittal when asked this week about whether former St. John's Jesuit standout Jack Mewhort will play Saturday against Navy, or if the plan is to have Mewhort sit out this season as a redshirt.
Tressel has Mewhort listed as the backup to starting center Mike Brewster, but Mewhort has also worked at guard and tackle on the offensive line since enrolling at Ohio State in January and taking part in spring practice. The 6-6, 290-pound Mewhort also played all three positions in high school.
"Jack Mewhort is probably on the bubble in the offensive line," Tressel said about the likelihood of Mewhort playing against Navy. Tressel said
offensive line coach Jim Bollman has worked a number of different options up front through preseason camp, including playing Mewhort at his current position - center.
"He's in the two-deep [chart] but we'll see how that unfolds. One thing coach Bollman is comfortable with is this - we've got three or four guys that can play center. Sometimes you get nervous about you don't have enough centers, who can make the calls and snap the ball and all the rest, so Jack's been doing a good job in there."
Tressel said he expects a number of freshmen to play against Navy, including linebacker Dorian Bell, defensive back C.J. Barnett, linebacker Storm Klein, defensive tackle John Simon, offensive lineman Corey Linsley, tight end Reid Fragel, running back Jaamal Berry and wide receiver Duron Carter.
"Obviously, all of it's based on health and everything else," Tressel said. "You can activate a guy whenever you want to.One [option] is developmental redshirt - you can activate a guy when you think he's ready - and as soon as he plays one play that counts as one year."
ADAMS SUSPENDED:
Offensive lineman Mike Adams came to Ohio State in 2008 as the top-rated high school tackle in the nation. He played in four games last season before a shoulder injury sidelined him. Now Adams finds himself in coach Tressel's doghouse. Tressel confirmed that Adams will miss Saturday's game.
"Well, he won't be with us this week. I can't really talk too much more about it," Tressel said. His status against USC next week has not yet been determined, but he is satisfied that Adams is making progress.
"I think he's coming along in all aspects," Tressel said.
POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE: Navy is the first service academy to play in Ohio Stadium since 1931. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said the place will be full of "energy and electricity."
"It's going to be a neat atmosphere," Tressel said.
"We have a ton of respect for Navy and the dedication those guys have demonstrated," Ohio State senior defensive tackle Doug Worthington said. "What they're doing defending this country and all - you have to admire that. They'll be extremely disciplined, and it's an honor for us to have them playing in our stadium."
RECORD CROWD? The promise of perfect weather, the start of another season, the rare appearance of one of the U.S. military academies in Ohio Stadium - is that the formula for a record crowd?
OSU coach Jim Tressel said that officials in the athletic department have told him the demand for tickets equals that of any game, including next week's showdown with No. 4 USC.
The Ohio Stadium record is the 105,711 for last year's game against Penn State.
Contact Matt Markey at
mmarkey@theblade.com
or 419-724-6510.
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