The No. 13 seems a bit cursed at OSU after running back Maurice Clarett ran into all kinds of difficulty, but quarterback Kenny Guiton may change all that.
While a swirl of reporters followed quarterback Terrelle Pryor around as if he were the Pied Piper on Media Day last week, newly arrived QB Kenny Guiton was happy to answer questions from anybody while donning his No. 13 for pictures in Ohio Stadium.
So with virtual one-on-one access to the Houston-area product, Bucknuts.com swooped in and asked the youngster several questions, including some typical preseason fare such as the following: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve encountered so far at OSU?
“The most difficult thing?” the affable Texan repeated. “I wouldn’t say staying positive, but something like that because sometimes I can get down on myself. I feel like I’m OK, but sometimes I do come down on myself a little too hard when I maybe make a bad pass, bad read, something like that. The good thing, though, is there are other guys here willing to pick me up.”
And what about the thing you’ve handled better than you expected?
“Catching on,” Guiton said. “I’m catching on to this offense well. I’ve learned a lot already and I’m catching on pretty good. I feel like I’m doing a real good job there.”
All evidence supports Guiton’s assertion.
A 6-3, 180-pounder, Guiton built a reputation as a dual-threat QB at Aldine Eisenhower. As a junior, he put himself on the map with 2,592 passing yards, another 329 rushing yards and 29 total touchdowns. That earned him district offensive MVP notice and put him on prospect lists.
Still, even as a senior, Guiton was a somewhat unknown on a national scale. His numbers slumped to 1,846 yards passing, 140 rushing and 21 TDs as a senior and it appeared he likely wouldn’t go to an elite football program like several other skill position players at Eisenhower.
Two of his wide recivers, Greg Timmons and Jaz Reynolds, had accepted scholarship offers to Texas. Also defensive back Craig Loston was on his way to LSU.
But when Ohio State missed out on Hampton, Va., standout QB Tajh Boyd – he committed to Clemson late in the recruiting process – the OSU coaches were scrambling to find another signal caller. That’s when recruiting coordinator John Peterson decided to flag down Guiton.
The Buckeyes did not offer him a scholarship until the week leading up to Signing Day. He accepted, becoming the final, and most mysterious, member of OSU’s 2009 class. In the process, Guiton turned down offers from Northwestern, Kansas, Iowa State and others.
Guiton said none of his friends questioned the move, even in Big 12 country.
“I never got that response,” he said. “Everyone was proud of me and they were glad for what I was doing and they were like, ‘Man, go up there and learn.’ I’m taking full advantage of what I have in front of me right now.”
Ohio State apparently saw Guiton’s multisport ability as a plus. He played point guard for the Eagles and also was an accomplished hurdler for the track team. It also didn’t hurt that Guiton was an honor student with a grade-point average of 3.3.
Still, no one expected Guiton to make a dent for the Buckeyes this season, especially with Terrelle Pryor and Joe Bauserman entrenched as Nos. 1 and 2 on the depth chart and given Guiton’s youth and underwhelming high school resume.
Just a few practices into preseason camp with the Buckeyes, however, it’s clear Guiton is picking up the terminology and expectations for the coaches. It’s also evident that he possesses a lot of good qualities – nimble feet, a quick release, a willingness to survey the field and a topflight attitude.
“The first couple practices were great. I came out nervous and forgot a few plays, but I caught on to what was going on with the offense,” he said. “Once I started to settle down I did real good.”
Guiton sprayed a few passes but otherwise had a particularly good practice on Aug. 11 with local media lining sidelines and with Big Ten Network cameras in tow.
“In high school in Texas, football is a big thing down there, so the TV cameras weren’t much of a factor,” he said. “I was still focused on the practice. After a while, I really didn’t think about TV being there.
“When I go out there I think about doing what got me here and do what the coaches tell me – do what I know I can do. Don’t try to go out of my range and do what I can’t do. So I go out there, do what I’m supposed to do, and play smart. Everything else should handle itself.
“The practices are pretty fast-paced. I catch on pretty fast, but I still have to stay up with it. I feel like I’m doing a pretty good job with all that and I’m liking it so far.”
When asked how often he follows the lead of Pryor in the meeting room and on the practice field, Guiton said, “A lot. All the time. I ain’t going to lie. I glue to him. And he’s willing. He helps me every step of the way and I’m watching him every step of the way. He’s one of the best and I’m trying to be up there with him.”
Pryor, who long was considered the top schoolboy quarterback in the country while prepping in Jeannette, Pa., said on Media Day that Guiton is already ahead of where he was as a passer as an incoming freshman. Guiton is not polished in that department but has the smarts, physical ability and upside to burn college defenses with his passing as well as his athleticism.
“I’ve always been a pass-first quarterback,” he said. “Once I drop back it’s really up to me. If I feel pressure, I like the benefit I have to get outside the pocket. It’s not really a difference here. If I go through my reads and I’m feeling pressure, get out of the pocket.
“So more than anything I’d say I’m working on my throwing mechanics. I feel like my running game is pretty good. I just feel like I’ve got to get better on my throwing mechanics and my reads.”
Guiton has plenty of tutors to help him. Along with Pryor and Bauserman, he gains knowledge from head coach Jim Tressel – a former QB himself – position coach Nick Siciliano and former QB coach Joe Daniels, who now holds the title of associate director of player development.
He answers on a regular basis to Siciliano.
“He’s a real good coach,” Guiton said. “He’s very helping, He’s always there just like Terrelle is. He’s there to help me. No matter what, he’s picking me up. He’s telling me what my reads are. He’s just a big help.
“Coach Daniels has been around at practice. He’s been a real good help and he’s been the person I go to the most, basically, to ask questions. He’s always got the answers and he’s always got a suggestion for me. It’s a real good thing.”
Guiton said he’s just trying to absorb everything he can right now and hasn’t even contemplated redshirting yet.
“I haven’t discussed that at all,” he said. “I don’t know anything about that right now. I’m going through camp right now trying to learn the offense and I’m trying to do whatever I can. I’m going to leave that to the coaches.”
Bauserman reportedly is having some difficulty with his throwing shoulder and Guiton could work as the team’s No. 2 QB if the injury persists. The Buckeyes have an all-important jersey scrimmage on Saturday, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility for Guiton to further impress and be useful to the team this season.
In the meantime, though, he plans to continue to follow in the footsteps of Pryor, who is becoming a fast friend.
“My first time meeting him was my visit,” Guiton said. “I came up on my visit the weekend right before signing day, so I was the last recruit to commit. It was nice meeting him. I was blown away, like, ‘Man, I’m really meeting Terrelle Pryor.’
“My first time really having an encounter with him was coming up for the spring game. He talked to me a lot and we became really good friends. Once I got up here it just went on.”
Also making a lasting impression on Guiton when he first visited OSU was the Woody Hayes Athletic Center as well as all the support that is in place for the student-athletes.
“Just when I came and seeing the facilities, that was it,” he said. “I already knew the level of education. So when I came up, that basically did it for me when I saw everything and realized the level of everything Ohio State has to offer. Once I saw that, man, it set me over the bar.
“I’ve been to a lot of big campuses and this is the best one I’ve seen so far.”
That love affair includes the feelings of amazement Guiton has just being in Ohio Stadium as he was on Media Day.
“I love it,” he said. “I can’t wait for my first experience of 110,000 and I’m suited up. I’ve been here for the spring game and that was what – 96,000? And I thought that was a lot. So I can’t wait to see 110,000 with maybe another 10,000 outside.”
