Ohio State junior tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells met with the media Thursday morning for the first time since his team’s win over Michigan on Nov. 22.
Wells discussed OSU’s match-up with No. 3 Texas in Monday night’s Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. But he was also besieged with questions regarding his future plans. Wells, who rushed for 1,091 yards and eight touchdowns in nine games this year, is widely projected as a first-round pick if he decides to forego his senior year of eligibility.
His coach, Jim Tressel, told reporters in mid-December that he advised Wells to not even bother petitioning the NFL draft advisory committee for his projected status, noting he would be a no-brainer first-round pick.
“I really didn’t have a reaction to that (comment),” Wells said Thursday. “That’s how he felt. It was definitely surprising.”
Wells, in speaking with reporters, seemed to keep the door open for a possible return in 2009.
“I haven’t really sat down and thought about it yet,” Wells said. “I’m really just enjoying the moment right now. I am enjoying being out here with the fellas. Whether it’s my last game or not, I am just enjoying it and looking forward to playing Texas.”
Underclassmen have until Jan. 15 to declare for the draft. ESPN.com's Todd McShay rates Wells currently as the No. 12 pick in the draft if he decides to come out.
“I definitely have some time to think about it,” he said. “I will discuss it with my family and Coach Tressel and the rest of the Ohio State coaching staff. I personally feel like I haven’t done enough at Ohio State. The things I wanted to accomplish here, to move on to the next level.”
Wells shared some of his thinking on his goals.
“I love the college experience,” Wells said. “I told (running backs coach) Doc Tressel when I first got here that I wanted to be the best that ever came through Ohio State. I said that in the past in the media that I want to be the best. I feel like I haven’t accomplished that yet.
“Once I sit down and weigh out the options, I definitely want to be a Buckeye and I want to be the best Buckeye.”
When asked if he was leaning toward staying, Wells said, “I haven’t made my full decision yet. I don’t want to say I am leaning toward staying or leaning toward going. I just want to say I do want to be the best Buckeye to ever come through this.”
He was asked about the prospects of the 2009 OSU team if he returns.
“We could be a heck of a football team,” he said. “With the maturing of Terrelle Pryor and the offensive line that is going to get better, we could be a heck of a football team.”
Prior to the season, Wells was considered as one of the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy. His injury and OSU's two losses took him out of contention for the prized award. He talked about watching this year's ceremony, where Oklahoma's Sam Bradford won the Heisman.
"I wanted to be there," Wells said. "I was thinking that if I didn’t get injured I was there. That’s what was going through my head (while watching the ceremony). If I wasn’t injured, I would like to say that trophy was mine. Not to take anything away from those guys that were there, because they were all great quarterbacks and great players. Me being the type of guy I am, I feel like I’m the best. I think I would have been there."
Wells told reporters he is close to 100 percent after battling foot problems most of the year. He will be wearing a normal shoe in Monday’s game.
On Monday, OSU will face a Texas defense that ranked second nationally against the run.
“They definitely look good against the run,” Wells said. “But they also don’t play any teams that like to run the ball at them, either. They’re a good football team. I feel like if we come out like we’re supposed to and everybody does their assignments and plays hard, we should be successful in running the football.”
Below is a 10-minute video segment with the interview with Wells (special thanks to ScoutingOhio.com for producing this video).
