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"His ability to adjust to the system and the speed of the game will determine where he is in the mix," Tressel said. "But I tell all the guys at every position, 'Don't come in thinking you'll redshirt because if you can help this football team, let's go.'"
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Wells rushed for 1,609 yards as a sophomore last season, including 222 yards and both touchdowns in a 14-3 victory at rival Michigan. In Ohio State's second consecutive appearance in the national title game, Wells ran for 146 yards and a touchdown against LSU.
Wells is still wearing a cast from surgery this winter on his wrist and won't face contact for most -- if any -- of the Buckeyes' 15 workouts leading up to the annual spring game on April 19 at Ohio Stadium.
"In the live scrimmages for at least a couple of weeks he won't be cleared to (get hit) because you wouldn't want to risk it," Tressel said.
Tressel said the USC game in Los Angeles, matching what will probably be two preseason top five teams, will likely kickoff at 8 p.m. ET.
Tressel is already using that game to get the Buckeyes' attention.
"At every step there are different things that motivate you and inspire you. You have a whole 13 games of experiences whether it's the thrill of this win or the disappointment of that loss, the championship loss or whatever," he said. "We've just got more things because the players have experienced all those things."