Football Juniors Know Their Role – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/9/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 9, 2002
There is no surprise as to why the No. 2-ranked freshman class this year is receiving a majority of the spotlight during fall camp. Also sharing that spotlight, among other things, is the senior class highlighted by Donnie Nickey, Kenny Peterson and All-American Mike Doss.
There is another group of individuals who have been quietly going about their business. The junior class, who look to be taking up a majority of the playing time, don’t seem to mind most of the others receiving a majority of the attention.
Juniors make up the entire projected starting offensive line (Shane Olivea, Adrien Clarke, Alex Stepanovich, Bryce Bishop and Ivan Douglas) including tight end Ben Hartsock, who looks at the situation as a unique responsibility.
“I think it has really been a transition period for (the junior class),” Hartsock said. “Myself included, we are really transitioning from being passive leaders to becoming active leaders on the field. Our job is to help the younger guys and keep pushing the (seniors) in front of us.”
Three powerful and talented juniors are expected to make an impact up front defensively in 2002. Darrion Scott, Tim Anderson and Will Smith all present a glimpse of the dominate defensive line of 1996 that consisted of, among others, Matt Finkes, Mike Vrabel and Luke Fickell. “I think we are considered one of the strengths of this team,” Anderson said. “We have a lot of talent and depth to dominate this year.”
Talented junior wide receiver Michael Jenkins has big play written all over him. Jenkins led the team in receptions a year ago with 49, averaging more than 20 yards per catch.
Clouded mostly by questions about the starting quarterback position, junior Craig Krenzel doesn’t mind the lesser attention either. Krenzel arrived for camp determined to accomplish one goal: to solidify the No. 1 quarterback spot. Yet he knows the best is yet to come for this junior class and the team.
“Our class represents the bulk of the guys who are going to get most of the playing time,” Krenzel said. The best thing about that is we’re all going to be back next year. We’re going to continue to gel through this fall camp and get it going during the season. Having another year in front of us is really tremendous.”
Junior center Alex Stepanovich doesn’t look at it as being overlooked. He remembers when he was a freshman receiving early attention and expects more next year as a senior.
“Seniors will get a lot of attention because it is their last year here and so will the freshmen because it’s their first,” Stepanovich said. “It’s a team thing. We just look at it as a great opportunity to gel this year and be even stronger next year.”
