Football
Spring Offensive Line Two-Deep Impacted by Injuries and Surgeries
By John Porentas

Spring football continues this week with the Buckeyes headed toward the annual jersey scrimmage this weekend. That event will have a great deal of impact on the two-deep when fall camp opens next August.

The two-deep prior to the jersey scrimmage is pretty flexible and is also impacted by the injury situation this spring. A number of candidates for the two-deep are missing spring football due to injury or surgery. That is particularly true along the offensive line. Offensive line coach Jim Bollman ran it down last week.

"Ben (Person) has done nothing (this spring)," said Bollman.

"He has had foot surgery on something he had going on the last two or three weeks of the season. He hasn't played at all."

A starter last year, Person's absence has opened the door for Connor Smith. Smith is currently taking reps with the first team in Person's absence.

A position along the offensive line that is up for grabs is the right tackle spot vacated by Kirk Barton. According to Bollman, Bryant Browning is currently getting the reps with the ones at that spot. Bollman sees the increased reps for Browning at tackle and Smith at guard as a positive for the Buckeyes.

"For Connor Smith and Bryant Browning to get as much work as they have this spring, that's been a really good deal for them. I expect those guys to be factors too. They're third-year guys, it's time for them to get rolling here," said Bollman.

Jon Skinner and Kyle Mitchum both missed last season due to injury but were expected to be back this season. Mitchum is practicing at the guard slot and getting reps with the first team at left guard. That's because last season's starter at left guard Steve Rehring is out this spring recovering from off-season surgery as well. Mitchum should benefit from the reps this spring. The news is not quite as good for Skinner who was expected to be a top competitor for the right tackle slot.

"Jon Skinner looked very good in the beginning in the first few practices, then that knee flaired up again and he hasn't been able to do anything," said Bollman.

Highly touted freshman offensive lineman Mike Adams has aggravated a shoulder injury and will undergo surgery to correct that situation. Adams, who some thought could compete for playing time at right tackle, will miss spring ball and some of fall camp.

"If this was the middle of the season and we would probably just go ahead and play with it like Shane Olivea if you'll recall in 2002," said Bollman.

"He played the whole second half of the year with a shoulder that he knew and we all knew needed surgery, but at this point in time and at his (Adam's) age and this point of the season we're better off getting it fixed right now."

Also sitting out contact drills due to injury is incoming freshman offensive lineman Mike Brewster. Brewster enrolled early and is taking part in non-contact drills. The third member of OSU's offensive line class also enrolled early. J. B. Shugarts is getting some reps at right tackle particularly since the injury to Skinner and Adams. Bollman remains high on Adams despite the fact that he will not be back with the Buckeyes until sometime in the early fall.

"He (Adams) certainly has a very bright future," said Bollman.

"He had been rolling around with J. B.(Shugarts) at both tackle spots with the second and third group.

"For the remainder of spring, Bryant Browning has been been working a lot with the first team, and that will remain the same.

"Andrew Miller has been working at some number two tackle spots and you still have J. B. there. Those would be the guys that are getting most of the work beside Alex (Boone at left tackle) the rest of the spring."

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