Safety Jordan Fuller expected to be cleared for preseason camp

“The undisclosed ailment shouldn’t, though, limit Fuller much when the Buckeyes resume practices in preseason camp. He said that he expected to be cleared for participation.”

- Joey Kaufman, buckeyextra.com

The Ohio State defense will look a lot different than it did a year ago, both when it comes to personnel and scheme. However, one thing that will remain the same is the starting safety, Jordan Fuller. The senior went through offseason surgery for an undisclosed injury, and was forced to miss all of spring practice. It appears, however, that Fuller is on track for a full recovery, and should be cleared for participation come the start of preseason camp.

Fuller enters the year as one of the most experienced players on the roster. After feeling as though he did not play quite up to his potential in 2018, the safety decided to return to Ohio State for his senior season instead of declaring for the NFL Draft. It will be his first season working under new co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Jeff Hafley, who brings with him NFL experience from his previous role with the San Francisco 49ers. Fuller and Hafley will each play a critical role in improving what was a disappointing Buckeye defensive backfield last season.

After playing in just six games his freshman year, Fuller earned the starting job in his sophomore season. The 6-foot-2, 204-pound safety out of New Jersey was excellent in his first campaign as a starter, recording 62 tackles, including 2.5 for loss with two interceptions. Despite a very down year for the secondary in 2018, Fuller still did more than his part. He tied for the team lead in tackles with 81, while also recovering two fumbles and snagging an interception in the blowout win over Michigan.

Becoming a team captain in 2018, Fuller will be expected to be one of the team’s leaders in 2019.

“He showed me a lot coming into Ohio State,” [Mike] Weber said in an interview with Darren Woodson. “He took me under his wing. He showed me about the plays and the playbook and how to become a college player.”

- Stephen Means, Cleveland.com

Former Ohio State running back Mike Weber is used to backing up Ezekiel Elliott. When Weber arrived on campus in 2015, he was a redshirt in what would be Elliot’s final season in Columbus. Now, once again he will join Elliott as the two Buckeyes are teammates on the Dallas Cowboys.

Taken in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, Weber will have a chance to earn the spot as the Cowboys’ backup to Elliott. With the team letting go of Rod Smith, another former Buckeye, the competition for the No. 2 spot will be between fourth-round pick Tony Pollard, fullback Jamize Olawale and Weber. The 21-year-old RB will have the opportunity to prove that he was a steal late in this year’s draft, and with additional guidance from Elliott could make a name for himself in the NFL.

Elliott, now a two-time Pro Bowler and a First-Team All-Pro in 2016, has led the league in rushing yards in two of his first three seasons in the NFL. As Weber has discussed, he can provide valuable guidance to the young RB, showing him the ropes in the professional games and helping him learn the team’s playbook.

Weber ran for over 1,000 yards at Ohio State in 2016 as a redshirt freshman, scoring nine touchdowns as the team’s lead back. After an injury at the start of the 2017 season limited his playing time, he would go on to split carries with J.K. Dobbins the remainder of his Buckeye career, finishing with 2,676 yards and 24 rushing TDs on a 5.9 yard-per-carry average in his span of three seasons playing in Columbus.

“The clash between the Buckeyes and the Gophers is set for a 5:30 p.m. ET start, capping off a day of games on the outdoor rink at Parade Stadium in Minneapolis.”

- Ohio State Athletics

Do you like Ohio State? Do you like outdoor hockey? If you answered ‘yes’ to both of those questions, then you’re in luck. The OSU women’s hockey squad will be taking on Minnesota in an outdoor contest at Parade Stadium in Minneapolis on Jan. 18. The game is set to take place at 5:30 p.m. ET.

This is the 14th annual iteration of Hockey Day in Minnesota, which was started in 2007 by the Minnesota Wild.

If you’re interested in attending the event, tickets aren’t be sold yet—but the information will be made available in the future. We’ll keep you posted on ticket availability.

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