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Ohio State Media Day went on this afternoon with multiple media members on hand to help christen a new football season in Columbus. Head coach Urban Meyer provided multiple updates on the offensive line and running back position battles, Braxton Miller and Ezekiel Elliot's injury status, and pleaded naiveté on a few O'Bannon trial/autonomy questions.
With the news that the NCAA had lost its court case against former UCLA basketball star Ed O'Bannon, it is unclear how athletes will be compensated in the future. Meyer was not interested in discussing the issue, however. He was totally focused on the football field:
Third question to Urban Meyer about O'Bannon/autonomy gets Meyer to reply "Beat Navy." When pressed, he says, "Naaaa-vy."— Jeff Svoboda (@JeffSvoboda) August 10, 2014
He later admitted he wasn't as read up on the subject nor the recently granted Power 5 autonomy to speak authoritatively on the matter. However,
Smith said $1.6 million figure that will go to athletes when cost of attendance goes thru includes OSU's scholarship athletes in all sports
— Jeff Svoboda (@JeffSvoboda) August 10, 2014
Meyer also began his press conference by confirming the injury status of running back Ezekiel Elliot, who reportedly had surgery on his wrist:
Meyer confirms Ezekiel Elliott's surgery, says he'll be better by next week.— Patrick Maks (@maksimuspatrick) August 10, 2014
Despite the surgery, Elliot is still a top the pecking order in the backfield:
Meyer on RB order: Elliott, Rod Smith, Curtis Samuel, Bri'onte Dunn. Won't name a starter yet.— Patrick Maks (@maksimuspatrick) August 10, 2014
Meyer continues to praise the speed and athleticism of freshman Curtis Samuel:
Urban Meyer on Curtis Samuel: "I love that kid... he will play this year."— Ryan Ginn (@RyanGinnBSB) August 10, 2014
The offensive line battle continues to heat up, and Meyer says he will likely rely more on quick passing to help the inexperienced line:
Meyer: "We'll probably rely on quick passing game more than we have ... last yr we got comfy with that big back and that OL."— Patrick Maks (@maksimuspatrick) August 10, 2014
That being said, Meyer loves the way senior lineman Joel Hale has been playing during camp:
Meyer praises Joel Hale. Also says Billy Price looks fantastic. Left guard is between Price, Hale and Underwood.#Buckeyes — Dave Biddle (@davebiddle) August 10, 2014
Looks like Warinner is a Price fan as well:
Bolt: Warinner: Billy Price "right at front" of left guard competition (free): http://t.co/BYsvhxHQBH #Buckeyes
— Dave Biddle (@davebiddle) August 10, 2014
Warinner was open and honest about the competition on the offensive line:
Bolt: Darryl Baldwin "definitely has edge" at right tackle over Chase Farris, per Ed Warinner (free) http://t.co/epNvYKk19e #Buckeyes
— Dave Biddle (@davebiddle) August 10, 2014
Braxton Miller has been limited throughout the spring and summer, but he spoke to the media Sunday afternoon. He praised the play of receivers Jalin Marshall and Michael Thomas:
Nice jacket, Braxton pic.twitter.com/iEikZ3VNuj
— Patrick Maks (@maksimuspatrick) August 10, 2014
Miller said Jalin Marshall, Michael Thomas have impressed this summer. — Patrick Maks (@maksimuspatrick) August 10, 2014
The Buckeye coaching staff is being heavily cautious with Miller. They know there is a lot of time left before opening kickoff and the main goal is to have him healthy for the season:
Urban Meyer says that if there was a game tomorrow, the Buckeyes would be cautious with Braxton Miller. "But we have three weeks." — Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) August 10, 2014
The 2014 season is right around the corner, and it is safe to say that the goal for Ohio State is to play well beyond the Big Ten Championship Game:
These schedules keep getting longer and longer. pic.twitter.com/7k8YA9ioaB
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) August 10, 2014
Your 2014 Buckeye class photo:
Buckeyes clean up nice ✨ pic.twitter.com/NsxdTaZB8X
— Morgan Miller (@BWStriped) August 10, 2014
Ezekiel Elliot, Billy Price, Devin Smith, and Joshua Perry, coutresy of the one and only Mark Pantoni:
Media day. ESPN bus in the house. #NationalExposure pic.twitter.com/J5Hkzyzab7
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) August 10, 2014
New Alabama transfer Chad Lindsay is confused why his picture is being taken. His old team must have not gotten as much media coverage. (Picture via Ari Wasserman and Cleveland.com):
Sounds like practices have been tough, so post-practice recovery is all the more important:
OSU players said there's a "night and day" difference in how much the staff emphasizes recovering after a practice now...
— Lori Schmidt (@LoriSchmidt) August 10, 2014
All of the freshmen seem to be fighting for playing time this season, with notable vacancies along the offensive line, at wide receiver, in the secondary, and in the linebacking core:
#Dream14 pic.twitter.com/fhTsSQdKw7
— Stephen Collier (@S13Collier) August 10, 2014
It sounds like Urban has the team in the right mindset:
"Some people think we are the hunted. We are the hunter." -Coach Meyer #TheChase
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) August 10, 2014
We'll be updating this post throughout the afternoon with more of the best of Media Day. You can watch Urban Meyer's complete press conference here.