Former walk-on running back to walk into linebacker role.
Ohio sophomore running back A.J. Ouellette will start at middle linebacker Saturday against Buffalo, according to redshirt linebacker Jovon Johnson.
“He’s like for sure the starting ‘Mike’ linebacker,” Johnson said. “I’m working with A.J. at 7 o’clock in the morning every day, teaching him the linebacker position.”
The “Mike” linebacker is a football term for the middle linebacker in Ohio’s 4-3 base defensive scheme.
The move comes after redshirt sophomore linebacker Quentin Poling was injured Saturday in Ohio’s 49-14 loss to Western Michigan. Poling will be out for a few weeks in a best-case scenario, coach Frank Solich said Monday.
{{tncms-asset app="editorial" id="3056bd2e-768f-11e5-b4d3-03d341003741"}}
“It’s pretty hard to replace (Poling),” Johnson said. “I think with the inexperience from some of our younger Mike linebackers, the coaches made a decision with A.J. because he’s a pretty smart kid, can learn the position fast enough in one week just to play against Buffalo.”
Poling spent the latter portion of Tuesday's practice with Ouellette, where they were seen with a clip board talking.
@charliehatch_
gh181212@ohio.edu
