Ohio State Football: 3 bold predictions for season-opener vs. FAU
By Phil Poling
3. JK Dobbins begins Heisman trek
Not since 2006 has an Ohio State player won the Heisman Trophy (Troy Smith), and you have to go back to 1995 to find a running back that won (Eddie George). All that could change in 2019, and it starts with J.K. Dobbins and the Florida Atlantic Owls.
Dobbins has totaled 17 touchdowns and nearly 2,500 rushing yards over the past two seasons for Ohio State football, and 2019 could be the year he’s finally nationally recognized. With players like Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne getting plenty of preseason hype — deservedly so — Dobbins is flying under the radar.
With a first-time starter at quarterback, the Buckeyes will likely lean heavily on Dobbins in the ground game.In his very first game as a Buckeye he carried the ball 29 times for 181 yards. He had three games in 2018 with 20 or more carries.
Expect the Buckeyes to feed Dobbins often and early and watch him run his way into the early-season Heisman race.