Chip Trayanum set for first spring as full-time Buckeyes tailback

COLUMBUS — This isn’t how Chip Trayanum envisioned his transfer to Ohio State to go.

He committed to the Buckeyes after playing two seasons as an Arizona State running back with the clear decision to move over to the defensive side of the ball. He became a linebacker last offseason.

Then Ohio State was bitten by the injury bug last season, most notably at running back. Trayanum was seeing limited playing time at linebacker, and the idea was hatched: he could switch back over to ball-carrying for an emergency purpose and help out the Buckeyes offense, most notably in the Michigan game where he had 14 carries for 83 yards.

Expect it wasn’t just an emergency role. And now Trayanum is entering the spring as a Buckeyes running back, looking to prove he can play at a high level for a title-worthy offense.

“I think this switch back has actually became more natural for me,” Trayanum said at Peach Bowl media day. “I feel like I’m back more in my habits and my environment. Not that I wasn’t feeling uncomfortable at linebacker, but I’m definitely happy with what I’m doing for the team right now.”

Again, this isn’t how it was supposed to be. Ohio State needed help at linebacker last offseason, and the Akron native made the decision to return to his home state to supply it.

Once TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams suffered nagging injuries that limited them all year, Trayanum became one of the backs for the Buckeyes. It’s a situation nobody in the Ohio State program truly wanted to be in last fall, but they made the most of it with Trayanum in the backfield.

“It was wild,” Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford said. “I recall this: In the middle of the game, we were on the sideline and I was talking to Dallan, and I looked up, and there was Tre, Miyan, Evan, they’re all standing there, and none of them are playing. And I was like, ‘Wow.’ 

“But again, it is what it is.”

Trayanum used it as a chance to showcase his talents at running back. And he isn’t giving up his spot in the backfield, especially as only three scholarship backs are healthy for spring practitce. He’ll get plenty of chances to carry the ball in the coming two months.

“Guys have to find their niche this spring,” Alford said. “ ‘What are you good at? What is the one thing you are really, really talented at?’, and for our staff to be creative in finding ways to put them in situations where they all feel involved – ‘OK, I’ve got this.’ ” 

Trayanum found a niche last year as an emergency running back. He can become so much more with a productive spring, his first as an Ohio State tailback.

He doesn’t plan on leaving the running back room anytime soon for the defensive side of the ball. He tried it, and not everything went according to the original plan.

“I hope to,” he said. “That’s up to the coaching staff, so today I’m just happy to do whatever I can for the team at this point in the season.

“… It was a cool little seven months on defense, but running back is where I’ve been at my whole life. So it’s definitely a blessing to be back.”

Spencer Holbrook, Tim May and Andy Backstrom are back to break down Trayanum and other crucial pieces of the spring. We’re going through the candidates to step up across the roster. As practice kicks off for the Buckeyes in just one month, there’s plenty to talk about. The offseason doesn’t mean we’re slowing down.

Don’t miss the latest Offseason Report presented by Byers Auto with Spencer, Tim and Andy, which can be found on Lettermen Row every Wednesday during the offseason.