It’s been pretty much expected since Ohio State Running Back Chris “Beanie” Wells has stepped onto campus, when he was the #1 rated player throughout high school, that he was only going to be a Buckeye for three years. Surprisingly though, the rumors of Beanie leaving for the pros have been quiet.
That’s until Columbus Dispatch writer Tim May spilled some info on Beanie’s possibly entry into the NFL and surprisingly coach Jim Tressel is perfectly okay with it – in fact, he wants him to go.
“If it were me, it wouldn’t be tough,” Tressel said.
He should go?
“Shoot, yeah,” Tressel said. “In my opinion he ought to be one of the first five guys picked. I know he is very focused, and this game (against Texas) is very important to him but we’ve always said if you’re going to be a top-round pick, you ought to think about going.”
Very cool for Tressel to do something like this. Not many coaches would do the same and I’m sure most coaches try to bring back juniors who are first round bound for their selfish reasons. I’m sure Tressel would rather want Beanie back to make his team better but he understands a player motive to get “his” and understands the game. It’s something that I actually appreciate in a coach and gain more respect.
However, at the same time, even though this will be a big loss for OSU, you know they’ll have another quality running back. It’s Ohio State for crying out loud. It’s not like the cupboard is bare there. I’m sure they’ll find another RB that will torture the Big Ten once again like Beanie did and everything in Columbus will be fine. Plus they have a running QB in Pryor so it’s pretty much like having two RB’s at the same time.
Even though I’m the type that feels all college athletes should graduate before going pro because of life-threatening injuries that plague their career and life, Beanie should go pro. He’s easily a first round draft pick. I mean a big RB who can run pretty fast? Scouts will be all over the kid.
