Weber putting past behind him and ready to run forward
START YOUR BUCKEYEGROVE.COM PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP TODAY!
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Mike Weber feels that year two at Ohio State will be very different than year one. After coming off of a major recruitment between Ohio State and Michigan, Weber was unhappy that he could not get on the field in 2015 and took to social media at times to vent his frustrations.
The redshirt freshman running back believes a lot of that is now in the past and he is focused on what is ahead of him and he knows that he will be a key part of the offense in 2016 as the running back depth chart has cleared and it appears to be his job.
"I really think it is just a part of growing up," Weber said on Sunday during Ohio State's media. Day. "I was kind of immature last year with a high school mindset. I am pretty glad that the older guys took me under their wing and showed me the way because now I am still learning but I (have come) far and hopefully will have a big season."
Head coach Urban Meyer singled Weber and Curtis Samuel as the top two backs on the team. That opened things up after the dismissal of Bri'onte Dunn from the team. Weber is hoping for the best for Dunn but knows that he needs to seize this opportunity that has been given to him.
RELATED: Burrow focused on getting better
"I have never been afraid of competition. I have always been hungry, there has never been a time where I was not hungry," Weber said. "I am still going to do my best and try my hardest and play my hardest and just try and get better every chance that I get."
Weber posted pictures on social media of how seriously he has taken things in the weight room during the offseason and he hopes the results will be seen in his play.
"I shed about 18 pounds and I am at a good weight and I can move a lot better," Weber said. "I have got a little six-pack for the ladies (laugh). Coach Mick, I worked out with him all summer and with a lot of leaders. I worked really hard and the results show in the pictures."
"I saw his little post of his before picture and after picture," Meyer joked at Big Ten media days just a few weeks ago. "A little fat kid that turns into a good looking running back. You can tell him that I said that too."
Weber said that there were a lot of things he had to give up on in terms of diet to get to that point. But it is all worth it in the long run.
"There were a lot of things that I had to give up. If you really want to be that good or great, it is worth it," Weber said. "At the end of the day, it was not just for me, it was for my family and teammates and coaches, for Buckeye Nation. If that makes me a better player, I will take that on."