Ohio State News: Canton’s Brionte Dunn to Start for Buckeyes

With running back Carlos Hyde spraining his MCL in the second quarter of this weekend’s win over Central Florida, Canton Glen Oak’s Bri’onte Dunn will sit atop the Buckeyes’ depth chart at running back.

In his Monday afternoon press conference, head coach Urban Meyer stated that the Dunn will not be the starter by default and that Zach Boren could also receive snaps as the primary ball-carrier, however, with Hyde and Jordan hall nursing injuries, it will likey be the true freshman in Dunn as well as Rod Smith who will provide the ground attack of the 12th-ranked Buckeyes as they play host to California.

“It’s one thing getting your mind right to go to be a backup for third‑string tailback for a game,” Meyer said of Dunn. “It’s another thing getting your mind right to be the guy that’s going to jog out there with the first offense.  There’s no just go play.  He’s got Tuesday, and Wednesday is going to be very critical ‑‑ whoever has the best Tuesday and Wednesday is going to line up at tailback.

Dunn, one of the top tailbacks in America coming out of high school, committed to Ohio State during his junior season, but reopened his recruitment with the resignation of former head coach Jim Tressel, even talking with Michigan and taking consecutive unofficial visits to Ann Arbor in November. The hiring of Meyer, however, provided reason for Dunn to play football in Columbus as the five-star recruit was one of Meyer’s primary targets upon being hired.

[Related: Buckeye Six Pack: The UCF Game]