Tony Alford: 'Strength and Conditioning Crucial to Success of Ohio State Running Backs'
Ohio State Buckeyes fans have become accustomed to seeing their favorite running backs slip between linemen and defensive backs on their way to the house every college-football Saturday.
This speed and maneuverability is typically chalked up to the drills each Buckeyes rusher goes through in practice and their knowledge of the playbook. However, there is another element of weekday work that often goes overlooked.
Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford said the time his players spend in the weight room with strength coach Mickey Marotti plays a major role come game time.
"It's critically important," Alford said. "You cannot have success in this game if you don't spend time conditioning your body. Not just your body, but your mind as well."
Alford said he and Marotti are in constant communication each week, constructing practice schedules in their respective facets that complement each other rather than conflict.
Additionally, Alford leaves all of the benchmarks for incoming players and their progression through their careers.
"He's an expert in that field," Alford said. "He says 'Here's what we're doing,' so we will tailor some of the things that we do as far as the physicality of it in regard to what he's doing so we don't burn a kid out."
This balanced focus between strength and on-field skill makes Ohio State running backs some of the best in college football year in and year out.
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