Read Sports Geek’s argument and Bleacher Fan’s argument about whether Ohio State is using Terrelle Pryor poorly or Pryor simply is not playing up to potential.
College football recruiting has become a popular topic in the sports world. It is almost a sport within a sport. National Signing Day is an exciting day for many fans that gives them hope for the future. For those who are at the top of the college football landscape NSD offers an opportunity to reload. For those programs that are not on top it is a chance to rebuild. There is always general excitement for fans no matter which situation a program falls into.
Flash back to March 19, 2008, over a month past the official 2008 signing day for college football. Highly touted high school quarterback Terrelle Pryor had yet to announce where he would attend college and play football in the fall of 2008. But, on that day in March Pryor announced his intention to attend Ohio State, despite the fact that his skills, on the surface, seemed like a better fit for Rich Rodriguez’s offense at Michigan. Stop the presses!! Now Ohio State is a national title contender for the foreseeable future, right?
As always, there is more to the story.
Pryor began his freshman year last season with much fanfare. He received increased playing time in a blowout loss to Southern Cal, and finally was named the starter in the Buckeyes fourth game of the season against Troy. In the Troy game he threw for four touchdowns. Throughout the season, he steadily improved, and he even ran for 110 yards against Illinois. The Buckeyes finished the season with a 10-3 record, which included a close 24-21 loss to Texas in the Fiesta Bowl. Pryor had a decent year. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, an award that preceded being named the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year for the 2009 season.
Things have not gone as smoothly this season, though. He has not necessarily taken the next step that some expected, and fans and others associated with the program are frustrated. The Buckeyes are currently 6-2, including an ugly loss to Purdue a couple of weeks ago. Pryor already has nine interceptions on the season. Jim Tressel is feeling a little heat for the first time in Columbus. Sports Geek expressed concerns about Pryor in a debate right after the Southern Cal game last month. Pryor’s high school coach, Ray Reitz, voiced his displeasure recently with how Pryor was being used in the Ohio State offense. Some have called for Pryor to be moved to wide receiver to better utilize his athleticism.
What is the answer? What is the main cause for Terrelle Pryor’s struggles? Cue The Sports Debates!
I am asking two Ohio citizens and passionate Buckeye fans to debate this topic. Both Sports Geek and Bleacher Fan have followed Pryor’s career closely.
Today’s question: Is Terrelle Pryor struggling because Ohio State is using him in the wrong way or are his struggles self-inflicted?
Sports Geek will argue that Pryor’s struggles are due to his underperformance and that he has no one to blame but himself. Bleacher Fan will argue that the improper utilization of Pryor’s talents has led to his struggles.
As always, we welcome your feedback. In the meantime, the floor is yours debaters!
