
On Wednesday, before Ohio State released its starting lineup for the game against Bowling Green, running back coach Tony Alford made a phone call to running back Mike Weber Jr’s parents, Toni Weber and Mike Weber Sr., to discuss their son’s performance.
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When most parents receive a call about their children, they may expect to hear some bad news. However, this was not the case on Wednesday. Alford told the Webers that their son would be starting in one of the most elite positions of Ohio State’s offense in the first game of the Buckeyes’ season.
The parents of starting running back @mikeweberjr got a pretty great phone call today pic.twitter.com/CiTKmMwUSs
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 31, 2016
Shrieks of joy burst through the phone with the news, and Alford informed Weber’s parents of their son’s progress and dedication to the program, reminding them to get their tickets and come down a bit early on Saturday.
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Weber redshirted last year and walks onto the field in 2016 for his first official college football game on Saturday. He did participate in spring drills and has been competing for the starting spot with fifth-year senior Bri’note Dunn. Ohio State recruited him as a four-star running back who rushed for 2,268 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior in high school.
He will start in the first game of the 2016 season in Ohio Stadium against Bowling Green on Sept. 3 at 12 p.m. ET.