Ohio State's J.K. Dobbins out to prove he's not a one-year fluke
The Buckeyes running back sat down with Yahoo Sports' Tank Williams to discuss his role at Ohio State, what he's looking to prove to NFL teams and who he models his game after.
Video Transcript
[CHEERING]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
TANK WILLIAMS: When you first got to Ohio State, I believe your first game, you ran for like 181 yards. Like, what-- I mean, like what's the encore quote going to be like your first game in the NFL? Like, what are you trying to do?
JK DOBBINS: First thing first, I'm trying to help my team win. But you know, if I could do some crazy stuff, you know, some things that guys are like all right, he belongs here. I'm definitely trying to do that.
TANK WILLIAMS: And I think, for sure, you belong. I mean, I follow your career. And I understand you were kind of splitting a lot of time, you know, a couple of years ago. But then when you got more touches this year, I mean, ran for over 2,000 yards.
Like, kind of set that thing off. So do you feel like you are proving to a lot of folks that you can be an every down back, and kind of help a team in all facets of the game?
JK DOBBINS: Oh, yeah. Definitely. I think I proved that a lot this year. You know, and even the years that I was splitting carries, I definitely try to prove it. But this year, it just kind of showed everyone like how good I actually am. You know?
When I don't have to, you know, go every other series. Or no shared carries, you know, or any time, you know? So definitely having this year show-- I think it showed a lot of people that I'm not just a fluke, and that I'm kind of like a great player.
TANK WILLIAMS: Yeah, and so we know that all the backs who are getting all the accolades, and the hype in the NFL right now, guys like Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, that showed that they're multifaceted in the run, and the pass game. Like, what are you looking forward to most in showing teams about your skill set that they may not be aware of?
JK DOBBINS: I think all the teams are aware of like all my assets. But I definitely want to just show them, you know, kind of remind them. Or if they don't know, show them how good my hands are. You know? Because like, every year at Ohio State I had 20 plus catches.
And a lot of people, you know, bring up the Clemson game, where I took my eyes off the screen pass. Because I thought it was going to be a touchdown, or the overturned touchdown catch that I thought I caught, and it was incomplete. They bring it up, and say that I can't catch. But honestly, if you just go watch the film, I feel like I can catch pretty good.
TANK WILLIAMS: Absolutely. I mean, we understand like if you played this game long enough, you are going to take your eyes off the ball, and something like that. Like, that stuff happens. You can't like try to place one play on a person, and try to make it seem like that's a theme throughout their careers.
So I agree with your approach to trying to set the narrative straight. Is there one player that's currently in the league right now that you feel you model your game after?
JK DOBBINS: You named him. Christian McCaffrey, you know. My team didn't necessarily utilize me like his team does. But I definitely love his running style, how he does things in the pass protection. And if I could get utilized like him, I think I could, you know, do the same thing. You know, because I can catch the ball pretty good.
TANK WILLIAMS: Well, it's been a pleasure watching your college career. Good luck throughout this draft process, and look forward to seeing you ball out on Sundays.
JK DOBBINS: Thank you.
