Football Captains Announced; Players Meet with the Media Friday – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
COLUMBUS, Ohio Todd Boeckman, Malcolm Jenkins, James Laurinaitis and Brian Robiskie were elected as 2008 captains of the Ohio State football team, as announced to the squad today.
“I’m extremely thankful and honored by the confidence shown by my teammates in my leadership,” said Boeckman, a senior quarterback from St. Henry High School in St. Henry, Ohio. “It’s a great feeling to have that type of role in this football program. You’re part of something much bigger than yourself.”
“When you think back on all the past captains at Ohio State, you realize what a great honor and opportunity this is,” said Jenkins, a senior cornerback from Piscataway (N.J.) High School. “This team is a very special collection of remarkable people; that’s why I came back for another year to be around these guys.”
“It’s unbelievable to have the chance to represent the type of player and people we have on this team as their captain for another year,” said Laurinaitis, a senior linebacker from Wayzata High School in Hamel, Minn., who also served as a team captain in 2007. “With the number of outstanding leaders we have on our team, I will work to lead everyone in every way I can, on and off the field.”
Previous two-year captains: Richard T. Ellis (1891-92), Archie Griffin (1974-75), Glen Cobb (1981-82), Thomas Johnson (1984-85), Joe Cooper (2000-01), Steve Bellisari (2000-01).
“First and foremost, it humbles you. To have the respect of your teammates in such a way is definitely an honor,” said Robiskie, a senior who attended Chagrin Falls High School in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. “The tradition of guys who have led this team in the past shows you what an honor it is.”
Ohio State opens the 2008 season Saturday, August 30, hosting Youngstown State in a noon game at Ohio Stadium. That contest will be televised by the Big Ten Network.
Brian Hartline, senior wide receiver
On practicing at Kenyon
“It was nice practicing at Kenyon. It has a nice set up. The facility that they have for their sports is amazing. It was nice to see the pool with all the history it has. It was cool to see everything, but it’ll be nice to take 48 hours off and then come back on Sunday. We’ve been dying for some rest.”
On the last week of camp
“We’re getting pretty eager. Guys are getting more on edge. Everyone starting to talk more and you can feel that everyone is excited to play. Defense sees the same plays by offense and offense sees the same defense all the time and the formations that everyone has so we’re getting eager to start playing.”
On the chemistry with Todd
“We’re on the same page. We’re to the point where he knows what I’m thinking and I know what he’s thinking. There’s definitely a chemistry aspect there. We’re more comfortable with each other coming into the second year together.”
Brian Robiskie, senior wide receiver
On camp
“We had a great camp with the amount of guys that are working hard. We have guys that are coming to practice everyday wanting to get better. Our team has players that are going to do a lot of special things this season and make a lot of great plays.
On game week
“It’s different because now that it’s here. It’s a week filled with anticipation. We shifted all that preparation to anticipation. We just have to continue to listen to our coaches and keep everything organized.”
On his health
“I feel good. I got a little banged up like most guys tend to do playing football. The trainers have been doing a great job getting me back to full strength. They’ve been staying on top of it and I feel great. I’m 100 percent.”
Coach Dick Tressel, Running backs
On Terrelle Pryor
“He has an instinct to run the daylight fast that’s a good running back instinct so it makes him a little bit like a running back because he’s able to get up to speed fast. He’s an explosive runner for a guy who is 6’6, like the guys we’ve seen in the Olympics.”
On Brandon Smith
“I’m very pleased with his development. He’s a line-of-scrimmage guy and has worked with special teams. He’s worked hard in his career here. He’s very effective. He shows no signs of hesitation. He sees and an opportunity and takes it.”
Maurice Wells, senior tailback
On the 2008 Captains
“We did a team vote and found out about the captains. I like the captains. They’re good leaders. All of them have good character. They stay out of trouble and I trust them to lead this team through a good season.”
On the game
“I don’t think that there is more anticipation this season. We’re excited at the start of every season to get out there and start playing. We look forward to getting the season started. We hope to win a national championship, but we have to win a Big Ten Championship hopefully.”
Coach Darrell Hazell, Wide Receivers
On this season
“We got the ball out deep last season. People compare last season to season when we had Tedd Ginn, Jr., and from that comes a lot of misconceptions. We have a lot of speed this season, where we can stretch the field vertically and horizontally. People saw how Teddy was fast guy, but the same people might not understand how speed translates on the field.”
Brandon Smith, senior tight end/fullback
On tight end and fullback
“In most cases, we’re blocking the same guy. The tight end is on the line-of-scrimmage and fullback is at different spots. It’s more about technique. You have to get to the same guy, but you go about it a different way.”
“The bottom line is that’s its football, all football. I didn’t play running back at all in high school and I played fullback once in the seventh grade.”
Chris Wells, junior running back
On his injuries
“Playing football, especially at running back, you’re never pain free. You learn to play hurt. And with this season, I’m more comfortable after a season of being a starter. I trust the guys I’m lining up next to, which is important.”
On the running backs
“We’re all great athletes. We’re all going to touch the football. It’ll be hard at time, but there is no way you can keep any of us off the ball. Mo, Brandon and myself are going to work hard all season.”
On LeBron James and the Olympics
“It’s incredible to see a guy from Akron representing the U.S. at the Olympics. It’s a blessing for those guys to over there and represent the United States in such great fashion. I would love if football was an Olympic sport. I love football so much and it would be amazing to represent the country in something you love to do.”
