Fall Camp Spotlight: Marcus Baugh
8/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 12, 2016
Name: Marcus Baugh
Position: Tight End
Height: 6-5
Weight: 258
Hometown: Riverside, California
High School: John W. North
2015 Statistics: 13 games, 4 Starts, 2 catches for 32 yards
by Chris Cullum, Ohio State Athletics Communications
Ohio State has been fortunate when it comes to tight ends, to say the least. Its last two starters at the position were drafted by a pair of the best franchises in the NFL: Jeff Heuerman was selected in the third round by the Denver Broncos in 2015 and Nick Vannett was also taken in the third round this past April by the Seattle Seahawks.
Among those who benefitted the most from the pair of NFL tight ends? The most experienced returner at the position, Marcus Baugh.
Hailing from California, Baugh measures up physically against any other tight end out there: standing 6-5 and weighing in at 258 pounds, the redshirt junior has the attributes to become a key target for quarterback J.T. Barrett this upcoming season.
In the opinion of his position coach, Baugh has as much of a chance as anyone to become exactly that.
“Our number one objective is to get the ball to playmakers,” said offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Ed Warinner. “As we develop this offense and go through training camp, we’re trying to find out who the consistent playmakers are. Marcus has shown that he can be one.”
Baugh alluded to that idea as well, talking about how the offense has been practicing some plays where the tight end is the first read, something he hopes to take full advantage of.
Warinner also raved about Baugh’s football abilities, clearly pleased with his new offensive threat.
“If you have talent at every position then you need to use it. A big player in the middle is a matchup problem. He has tremendous speed and good hands and he understands the passing game very well.”
A big part of coming into the season atop the depth chart isn’t just about on-field production, but about being a leader at his position. That’s something that both coach and player acknowledge and an area in which both have seen a lot of growth.
“Marcus is quiet by nature,” Warinner said, “but in our small group [of tight ends] he does a great job with the younger guys. Talking to them, leading them, trying to understand the right way, the Buckeye way, to do things.”
“They’re pushing me to be more of a leader, to be more vocal,” Baugh explained. “I’m not one of the most vocal guys, but if I need to be a leader I can talk to guys about what they need to do or tell them to pick it up.”
A quiet leader is still a leader, and it sounds like Baugh has the necessary mentality to become one for the Buckeyes. And while his leadership skills may be considered a work in progress, it’s evident that the junior has everything it takes to become a leader for the Scarlet and Gray. Lucky for him, he had the opportunity to watch two tight ends come before him who were great examples of what being a leader means.
“I’m just following in the footsteps of the people in front of me,” he said, referring to Heuerman and Vannett. “They set a good example so I’m just trying to do the same thing.”
