OHIO STATE BUKEYES’ DREAM COME TRUE

For Buckeye’s father and son, Patrick Gurd’s ascent to prominence as an Ohio state contributor was a dream come true.

Since his birth, Patrick Gurd has been brought up as a Buckeye.

Andy, Gurd’s father, played linebacker at Ohio State from 1987 to 1991. Consequently, Gurd’s life has always included Ohio State football because, as a child, he and his family frequently traveled to Ohio Stadium to watch Buckeye games.

Andy Gurd told Eleven Warriors, “I think from early on, there were probably some onesies that were OSU football attire when he was very young, I’m sure.”

The Gurd family was therefore even more delighted when Ohio State extended an invitation to Patrick to become a preferred walk-on. Gurd couldn’t resist the chance to play for the institution he has always known, even if he was being recruited by a number other MAC colleges.

Patrick Gurd remarked this week, “I always loved being a Buckeye fan growing up and I was always going to the games here.” “Because of the football here and the academics, I just felt like it was the right choice when I got the chance to.”

For Gurd, becoming an Ohio State football player was significant in and of itself because his family is from Ohio. But because Gurd has developed into a significant on-field performer this season, that potential has even more significance.

“To play for Ohio State has always been my dream,” Gurd remarked. “I just know that being able to wear scarlet and gray here makes my family proud.” It’s truly amazing for me to be able to play on the field and demonstrate to them that I’ve made that next step. I can truly do it.

Against Rutgers past weekend, the fourth-year tight end from the neighboring town of New Albany, Ohio, saw the most action of his Ohio State career to date. As the Buckeyes’ second-best tight end behind Gee Scott Jr., Gurd saw 14 snaps when Cade Stover was out due to a knee injury. He was on the field for two of the four touchdowns scored by the Buckeyes, including TreVeyon Henderson’s 9-yard touchdown run, which he claimed to be his favorite play of the contest.

Gurd remarked, “I got to hit someone pretty good on that play.”

Gurd has participated in six of Ohio State’s nine games this season, logging 28 offensive snaps in addition to helping out on the punt and kickoff return teams. Joe Royer has struggled with injuries, Bennett Christian was suspended for the whole season after testing positive for a prohibited substance, and Jelani Thurman is still a true freshman learning how to play the position at the collegiate level, thus some of the reason for his playing time has been necessity. Ryan Day, however, said that it also speaks to the amount of effort Gurd has made since enrolling at Ohio State in 2020.

“It begins with simply putting forth the effort to improve every day and not having any other expectations. There are also days when you wake up and find yourself on the field, according to Day. “This is a person who entered the field without receiving any scholarship and has earned his place there. It’s true that you have to work for everything you receive in a walk-on scenario, and he has. The others on the team also admire him for that.

He’s also a rough, no-nonsense, physically strong man. It takes time to become familiar with every job description when playing that position, so it’s encouraging to see him on the field, participating, and undoubtedly having an impact on the offence

It’s unclear if Patrick’s extended playing time versus Rutgers will result in a sustained offensive role when Stover makes a comeback. Given that he participated in a Wing-T scheme in high school, his ability to block runs is not surprising. This makes him a viable option for the tight end rotation, especially in formations with several tight ends.

In any way he can, Gurd says he just wants to see the team succeed.

“I believe I’ve been able to demonstrate who I am and my ability to support my team when necessary. Additionally, Gurd stated that it feels nice to be able to assist the boys on the field.