Trey Sermon will be an integral part of Ohio State’s offensive attack.
Even though Justin Fields and Ohio State are expected to win the Big Ten and compete for a national championship, they will have to do so without the services of standout running back J.K. Dobbins, who was picked in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. For as much hype as Fields and the air attack receive, Ryan Day would like nothing more than running the ball in between the tackles.
Day’s prayers calling for a replacement were answered, as Oklahoma running back Trey Sermon decided to swap Norman for Columbus and transfer to Ohio State. The Buckeyes lost some stars from last year’s team, but no replacement will have more on their plate than Sermon in 2020.
Sermon was one of the Big 12’s best running backs at Oklahoma.
After serving as a backup in 2017, Sermon exploded onto the scene in 2018 as part of a timeshare with Kennedy Brooks. Sermon didn’t even touch the ball from scrimmage 200 times in 2018, but he still topped 1,000 yards and scored 13 touchdowns, a product of Lincoln Riley and Kyler Murray destroying the Big 12.
Sermon’s time in Norman didn’t end as well as it began, as injuries and increased roles for both Brooks and Rhamondre Stevenson on offense eventually motivated the slippery 221-pounder to transfer elsewhere in search of playing time. After swapping one young offensive genius in Riley for another in Day, look for Sermon to put up the best numbers of his career.
Trey Sermon will compete with Master Teague III for the starting job.
Sermon will not be handed the starting job, as Master Teague III is fresh off running for just under 800 yards despite the presence of Dobbins. While the 225-pound Teague’s low center of gravity and ability to bruise through linebackers is certainly impressive, Sermon’s ability to weave through would-be tacklers before turning on the jets should be enough to give him the starting spot.
As enticing as a thunder and lightning combination of Teague’s power and Sermon’s elusiveness sounds, Day has shown with Dobbins that he favors having a clear, unquestioned bell cow in the backfield. Sermon has a much higher ceiling, and an aggressive coach like Day will likely choose to ride him over Teague for that reason.
Ohio State’s ground game was the most productive in the nation of any non-service academy team, and Dobbins being relied on to challenge for 200 yards in every game is a huge reason why. If anyone on Ohio State’s roster right now is capable of fitting the bill, it’s the speedy Sermon.
For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.