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Football
Posey Sees Hard Work as Key to Buckeye Improvements in 2010
By Tony Gerdeman

DeVier Posey makes a catch in OSU's Rose Bowl victory over Oregon.
Photo by Jim Davidson

DeVier Posey came to Ohio State as one of the most highly-regarded high school receivers in the nation in 2008. After a freshman season that saw him record only eleven receptions in a crowded receiving corps, much more was required of him in 2009 as Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline moved on to the NFL. Fortunately for the Buckeyes, all Posey did in 2009 was haul in 60 receptions for 828 yards and eight touchdowns, the best numbers by a true sophomore receiver at Ohio State since Michael Jenkins in 2001.

With the amount of work that Posey has put in to becoming Ohio State’s primary receiving threat, he understands what it has taken for him to succeed. And when it comes to his teammates making improvements, he knows what to look for. That’s why when asked who he thought had been making strides in the offseason, he was happy to note that there wasn’t just one player standing out.

“It’s really been a team effort”, he said. “I really can’t pinpoint one guy who’s been working harder than the others. Anytime you’re walking through the Woody [Hayes Athletic Center]--I go to the Woody everyday--and I always see somebody in the weight room. I think that as a team we’re just working harder in general.”

Posey’s attention to detail was evident when talking about what second-year receivers James Jackson and Chris Fields had done to give themselves a shot at seeing the field this coming season--and never once mentioned actual on-field performance.

“I’m definitely expecting a lot of improvement from those guys as far as maturing after they’ve been here for a year. Getting their bodies ready. Getting a lot smarter off the field. As far as being in the film room, I definitely think they’re making those jumps and those improvements. They’re doing a really good job and they’re maturing into the players that they’re going to be.”

Will the off-field maturation be realized in on-field performance?

“Hopefully we can see a lot from them in the spring”, said Posey, “and hopefully they take some major steps.”

Chris Fields and James Jackson aren’t the only second-year receivers who are expected to mature this year. Duron Carter got quite a bit of playing time last year, but due to academics he didn’t make the trip to the Rose Bowl. Posey thinks those challenging days are behind Carter and if his work ethic matches his talent, the Buckeyes might just have another good one on their hands.

“I definitely expect to see a lot of improvements”, answered Posey when asked if he has seen positive changes in Carter. “He’s a great player as it is just waking up out of the bed without even having to do anything. He’s naturally talented.”

But as Posey knows, talent will only take you so far. It’s the hard work that eventually separates everybody. And even though he realizes that there are some very lofty expectations being placed on this team, he will be doing his part to make sure the team stays focused and doesn‘t get drawn in to the hype.

“We’re definitely aware of it“, said Posey regarding expectations.

“The ‘excitement’ and all the things like that, I really don’t know too much about that. But I know that we try to do a good job of keeping focus on what we need to do, and really focus on our offseason training right now.

"And then when the spring comes, we’re going to try to make our leaps as an offense and make our leaps as a defense going against each other. And then this summer, I’m trying to be a leader on this team, just trying to help people understand that we’ve got to take one step at a time.

"We really can’t think too much about rankings and get into things like that because that’s how you lose focus and get off track.”

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