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(UWIRE) COLUMBUS, Ohio -- If a sure bet exists for the Ohio State Buckeyes, look no further than running back Chris Wells.
After finishing with 1,609 yards, a sophomore record, and 15 touchdowns in 2007, Wells is living atop most Heisman watch lists heading into 2008.
"The way he runs so hard and the way he puts his body on the line, it is the sign of a person that can lead by example," running backs coach Dick Tressel said. "The fact that he is willing to want to contribute even when he is not 100 percent makes him special."
Wells admitted he played most of the 2007 season below 100 percent due to ankle and wrist injuries, the latter of which required off season surgery to repair.
He now feels he has returned to a state of normalcy with no bitterness in tow.
"I have learned to just to roll with it and to just deal with it and move on," Wells said. "It is just part of the game."
Considering the marks left by the Akron-Garfield product throughout last season, most opponents have to be cringing at the thought of facing Wells at full throttle.
Add in the experience of senior back up Maurice Wells, sophomore speedster Brandon Saine and redshirt freshman Daniel "Boom" Herron, and the Buckeyes have a recipe for destruction at running back.
"We have a lot of depth and that is something that we are going to show against other teams," Maurice Wells said. "We have a lot of talented players."
Saine is the most versatile back at Tressel's disposal, providing the team with quick feet in the backfield but also with the ability to line up in the slot and torch sluggish linebackers for yards in the realm of a Reggie Bush or Florida's Percy Harvin.
Herron was widely recognized as the top scout team player last season and likely would have been on the field had Saine not provided a more diverse option. Herron's power makes him a suitable replacement for Wells should the injury bug bite again, or in late game efforts to preserve energy.
Antithetical to the running back game is the status at fullback.
Senior Ryan Lukens left the defensive side to fill the void left by the graduation of Dionte Johnson, Tyler Whaley and Trever Robinson and the career-ending injury suffered by Aram Olson.
