Our Honor Defend

Duron Carter’s transfer from Ohio State following academic concerns was followed today by the announced departure of Keith Wells.

Wells’ exit from the program ends a strange tenure at Ohio State that ended before it really started.  I was very high on Wells when he committed to Ohio State way back in the day.  Wells’ sport of choice growing up was basketball, picking up football only about a year and half before signing with Ohio State.  Still, he impressed enough to get serious attention from places like Notre Dame, Tennessee and Florida State.  I thought he had a really high ceiling, and so did he.  Everything through the recruiting process just screamed to pay careful attention to the development of his career.  He looked to play the part of the dark horse, like Nathan Williams, to compliment stars in the class like Terrelle Pryor, DeVier Posey, Michael Brewster, JB Shugarts and, so we thought, Lamaar Thomas.

Instead, Keith Wells did not redshirt his freshman year, though I thought he needed it perhaps more than anyone else in his class.  He ended up playing sparingly.  His career took another interesting turn by redshirting what would have been his sophomore year.  This was not an injury redshirt, but rather one placed on Wells in a season with incredible depth at defensive line that would allow him to contribute more in the future.  It seemed to be paying some dividends.  Wells played a lot in the spring game and looked to be a frequent sub for strongside defensive end, alongside Melvin Fellows’ Safari Planet.  Now, he’s leaving.

I have read the rumors regarding what may have led to his departure, though I don’t think it’d be appropriate to detail them here absent definitive proof.  Allegedly, Wells’ work ethic was not what it should be for a person trying to make the most of his raw athletic abilities.  After a certain point of being late or absent for team activities, coaches tend to move forward with what they have.   Wells may have effectively been left behind, behooving him to leave for greener pastures.

Whatever the case, Wells’ departure is another plot twist in the legacy of the fabled Block O recruiting class.  Michael Brewster, Nathan Williams and Terrelle Pryor have played and shined since day one.  DeVier Posey and JB Shugarts have come along while Andrew Sweat, Etienne Sabino, Jake Stoneburner, Andrew Sweat and Mike Adams seem poised to contribute.  Meanwhile, Shawntell Rowell’s never quite made it to Ohio State, Willie Mobley’s career ended before it started, Lamaar Thomas transferred after being unable to make the transition to wide receiver, Keith Wells has left and Jermil Martin is rumored to be next.

Whatever the case, I wish him well in his next endeavor.