Urban Meyer: ‘Ezekiel Elliott best player I’ve coached without ball in his hands’

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer paid the ultimate compliment to his former running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Urban Meyer has coached a multitude of great college players during his stops at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and Ohio State. He’s coached a former No. 1 overall pick in Alex Smith, dozens of All-Americans with the Gators and Buckeyes, including former Gators quarterback Tim Tebow who may be the best college football player in modern history.

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However, Meyer believes it’s a former Ohio State running back he had that stands out above them all.

One day after Ezekiel Elliott tore through the running back drills at the NFL Combine and ran a blistering 4.47 time in the 40, Meyer said Elliott is the best player he’s ever coached without the ball in his hand.

He’s also pretty darn good with the ball in his hands with a pair of 1,800-yard seasons the last two years, including an MVP performance in the National Championship Game against Oregon two seasons ago when he had 244 yards and four touchdowns.

His performance at the Combine did nothing but cement his status as the top back in the class and is a potential top-10 pick.

He’s a great running back, but Meyer’s comment reflects Elliott’s all-around ability to help his football team win games and that’s clear in his willingness and ability as a blocker. He was a de facto fullback on many plays the last two years for running quarterback J.T. Barrett to churn out the yards.

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Elliott’s ability as a route runner, blocker, leader, and competitiveness are just a few of the reasons why Meyer paid him this ultimate compliment.

Over the next decade, there could be some NFL position and head coaches who have similar honors to pay his way.