Football Opens Fall Camp – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/11/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
August 11, 1998
No surprise: Katzenmoyer on Butkus list
1997 Butkus Award winner Andy Katzenmoyer heads a list of 68 of the nation’s linebackers on the preliminary list for the Butkus Award, presented to the nation’s best linebacker. The list will be trimmed to 10 semifinalists on October 15. The final three will be announced November 12 with the winner, chosen by 27 national media members, will be announced Dec. 11 at Universal Studios Florida. Last year Katzenmoyer, from Westerville, Ohio, was the first sophomore to ever win the award, and he was the first Buckeye.
Massie to have surgery Wednesday
Sophomore offensive tackle Jim Massie will undergo lower back surgery Wednesday at the Cleveland Clinic. The Brecksville, Ohio, native and graduate of St. Ignatius High School will remain at home following the surgery until near the start of fall classes Sept. 23. Dr. Gordon Bell will perform the surgery. Massie red-shirted the 1997 season as a true freshman. He was listed as the back-up to Tyson Walter at the left tackle position entering fall camp.
Coach John Cooper “Quotes”
Were you anxious to get out on the field and see the new players?
“I am still anxious. They guys look good in the uniform. They passed the eyeball test. You really can’t tell too much about them after just one practice.”
Were you happy to get back on the field
“It is great to get back out there. I am not necessarily tired of golf but I am ready.”
Anyone stand out in practice today?
“This group is so thin [numbers wise] it is really hard to get a handle on them because we don’t do any team work. The only thing we do is some individual drills. I spread myself a little bit thin going from drill to drill. I don’t want to prejudge any of them anyway. I would rather wait until the varsity gets here, throw them all out there and see what happens.”
What did the players do today?
“All we are trying to do with the freshman is catch them up on the terminology and drills so when the upperclassman get here we will not have to slow down for anybody.”
When do you know if some of the new players will contribute?
“Probably about a week to 10 days before the first game.”
On the number o
“This is probably the first time since I have ever been in coaching that we have not had a wide receiver in practice out there. If you can’t throw the football you don’t know how your quarterbacks look.”
Ryan Pickett “Quotes”
Ryan Pickett is a true freshman defensive lineman from Zephryhills, Fla. The 6-3, 290-pounder from Zephyrhills High School was a consensus all-American and was one of the top 25 players in the country according to the National Recruiting Advisor. He has one practice under his belt. His new puppy, “Buckeye,” is still at home in Zephyrhills.
On the first practice:
“The first practice went well. Everything was smooth. We haven’t done a lot yet.”
On his first night in Columbus:
“We really didn’t do anything. We were all really tired. We had a couple meetings and we went to sleep.”
On his expectations this season:
“I expect to be a part of the team and help in any way possible.”
On his plans for the next few days:
“Just to go all out in practice. I’m not going to have much energy to do much else. I plan on going all out in practice all the time.”
On the rest of the freshmen class:
“All the freshman are getting to know each other. I played against Steve Bellisari in the Florida all-star game, but other than that I didn’t know anyone.”
On what brought him to OSU:
“I liked everything about Ohio State. Everyone seems really nice. I think I made a very good decision to come here. I’m really happy where I am.”
On the transition to Big Ten football:
“It’s a lot different than high school. Everything is much more technical and there’s a lot to learn. It’s a lot different.”
Steve Bellisari “Quotes”
Steve Bellisari was a two time all-state safety while at Boca Raton Community High. He is a 6-3, 210-pounder from Baco Raton, Fla. He was one of the nation’s top 100 high school seniors and a prep all-American as selected by numerous publications.
The first practice:
“There is a lot to learn. They throw a lot of stuff at you to see what you know and what you can handle. I am just going step by step. You have so much to learn and have so many different steps and new techniques. You have to take your time and try to get it right the first time.”
A little nerve-racking:
“Yes. There is a lot of new stuff and you don’t want to mess up but you know you are going to. You have to deal with it and go full speed.”
The first practice:
“I feel like I am in condition. Being here all summer with Coach Kennedy got me ready. Today we did not condition too much. They just wanted to see what how much you know and how much you can learn.”
