Urban Meyer weighs in on the most recent Buckeyes turned Seahawks
May 12, 2016, 11:42 AM | Updated: May 13, 2016, 4:32 pm
Urban Meyer said he regretted not using tight end Nick Vannett more in Ohio State's passing game. (AP)
(AP)
A total of 16 Ohio State Buckeyes were drafted or signed as free agents in the NFL from last year’s squad. Two of those players – TE Nick Vannett (third round) and SS Tyvis Powell (undrafted free agent) – landed with the Seahawks. Their head coach, Urban Meyer, told “Brock and Salk” Thursday that he’s glad that pair ended up in Seattle.
“I’m really excited that they’re going to you guys,” he said. “I always worry about those kids that are used to being in good programs and winning, then all of the sudden they get stuck … in one of those bad situations, they just lose their desire to keep grinding. That certainly won’t happen in Seattle.”
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Vannett was the third tight end drafted this year and finished his four-year career with only 55 catches. Meyer described the 6-foot-6, 257-pounder, as a large, elusive receiver that developed as a blocker throughout his collegiate career.
“I have a little bit of regret that we didn’t use him more in the pass game,” he said. “We were pretty loaded with weapons and, I don’t want to say we took him for granted, but when I look back now he was a guy who certainly deserved to have the ball in his hands a few more times.”
Powell, who made ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s list of the top 30 undrafted free agents to watch, is a physical specimen at nearly 6-3 and 211 pounds. The three-year starter led the Buckeyes with three interceptions last season. Meyer said Powell has a corner’s skill set, but might be most valuable on special teams.
“I think he’ll certainly make the team. I’m in charge of the special teams here and he was one of my aces for three years on special teams, and always will be,” he said. “I think he’ll have a fine career and I’m glad once again that he went to the Seahawks.”
But as strong as both Vannett and Powell were on the field, Meyer described them as even better off of it. He said finding athletes with quality character has become integral in his recruiting process, just as it has for the Seahawks.
“We all make mistakes, however, I have never seen more of a focus on making sure you’re getting good people in your programs because it will wipe you out,” he said. “You see it in college, you see it in the pros, and you just don’t have time for that.
“I think character is as important as it’s ever been,” he added. “I love our commissioner in the NFL. I know he catches a lot of flak; all he’s trying to do is the right thing. I think everything is headed in the right direction. When you start seeing players in the NFL be scrutinized so much for how they behave off the field and I hear people complain about that – what are you kidding me? There was a time when I wouldn’t want my son watching pro football because I knew what was going on … it’s filtered to the college game, too, and it’s certainly filtered down to high school. I hear people complain; you’re not hearing any complaints from us at Ohio State.”
