Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Ohio State running back — one of 11 children — will soon decide whether he wants to return for his senior season.
COLUMBUS (AP) — Chris “Beanie” Wells will soon decide whether he wants to return for his senior season at Ohio State or make himself available for the NFL draft.
If he had a say in the matter, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez would like the 6-foot-1, 237-pound Wells to turn pro by Saturday.
“Maybe the biggest difference between Beanie and some of the other backs we’ve faced — and we’ve faced good ones — is just his size,” Rodriguez said this week during preparations for Saturday’s rivalry game between the Wolverines and Buckeyes. “He’s got the speed, but he’s such a big, physical player. Lot of times he just stiff arms guys and breaks out of tackles and he can outrun you. You can’t just go up and wrap your arms around him. You’ve got to actually tackle him.”
Wells is perhaps the most important figure in the 105th meeting of the old rivals. With a freshman, Terrelle Pryor, starting at quarterback for the 10th-ranked Buckeyes, it’s unlikely that conservative coach Jim Tressel will take many chances. That means Wells will be likely called upon often against a Wolverines defense surrendering 128 yards a game on the ground.
Tressel said Wells has earned that responsibility.
“You don’t get knighted as a guy that’s going to play good in that [big] game,” he said. “You have to go do it against good people.”
Wells certainly has. He’s a big-game hunter — and there’s nothing bigger in these parts than Michigan vs. Ohio State.
Over his past two seasons as a starter, in nine games against ranked teams he has rushed for 1,118 yards, averaged 5.6 yards a carry and scored nine times. A year ago against No. 23 Michigan on a wet track, he went for 222 yards on 39 carries and scored both touchdowns in a 14-3 victory. That was a career-high in rushes and the 222 yards is the most by a Buckeye against Michigan.
Wells was not made available to reporters this week.
But Wells recently addressed his feelings about the scarlet-letter days on the Ohio State schedule.
“I just love playing in big games,” he said. “It’s something that I guess you could say that I’m made for. I like to think that I’m made to play on the big stage.”
His running mate in the backfield, fullback Brandon Smith, said there’s just something about the best teams that bring out the best in Wells.
“He’s fired up whenever he gets the ball in his hands,” Smith said. “I think his motto is, ’Great players make great plays in big games.’ I’m sure that’s in the back of his head somewhere.”
It’s not just carrying the ball, either. Wells’ personality grows with a tougher opponent, too.
“When I’m out there, I feel as if I bring a presence to the field and a sense of energy to the team,” he said.