Ohio
Safety Josh Proctor easing back from broken leg
It takes loads for Josh Proctor to not smile.
That’s his pure state.
“At all times,” the Ohio State security mentioned. “I’m a cheerful particular person. I’m a goofy particular person.”
Proctor didn’t smile for lots of 2021. What he anticipated to be a breakthrough season on his option to the NFL was derailed by a season-ending damaged leg sustained within the Oregon loss on Sept. 11.
It was a ugly damage. Proctor’s proper leg bought rolled up in a pile and snapped.
“I had a compound fracture,” he mentioned. “My bone truly got here out of my leg. Not lots of people knew that. I did not like speaking about it. However yeah, it was a fairly severe damage.”
The damage was devastating to Ohio State’s protection as properly. Proctor’s mixture of vary and bodily play was anticipated to function a security internet for a younger again seven. With out him, the Buckeyes struggled.
That ever-present smile on Proctor’s face disappeared at occasions.
“It was fairly troublesome simply because I felt like I may have helped the blokes out,” he mentioned.
Proctor knew he confronted a protracted, troublesome rehab to get absolutely wholesome. He puzzled at occasions if he ever would.
“It is easy to get your self in your head pondering (the worst), get your self down within the gap,” Proctor mentioned. “However the help round you — my household, my girlfriend, teammates — all of them helped me drastically.”
Proctor estimated final week that he’s 80-85% wholesome and mentioned he is at the least a month forward of schedule. Proctor is now collaborating in workforce drills, although not with full contact. Ohio State coach Ryan Day mentioned Thursday that Proctor would take part within the early “thud” portion of the spring recreation Saturday however not when the scrimmage shifts to full tackling.
“I really feel good,” Proctor mentioned. “I really feel like I will get on the market and run round. I am simply getting my legs again below me.”
Proctor has turned the nook a lot that he has begun to view the damage as a blessing. He studied further video whereas injured to enhance his understanding of the sport. He appreciates with the ability to play much more.
“I felt that it was perhaps God’s plan to form of sit me down,” he mentioned. “Possibly I wasn’t prepared (for the NFL).”
The Buckeyes are wanting to get him again.
“Josh is a superb participant,” senior cornerback Cameron Brown mentioned. “He’s all the time been an important participant since he stepped foot within the ‘Shoe years in the past. I simply hope he’s going to be again more healthy and stronger than ever.”
In contrast to final yr, the Buckeyes at the moment are deep on the two deeper security spots. Ronnie Hickman, the workforce’s main tackler final yr, is taking part in a extra outlined security function this yr slightly than the hybrid security/linebacker spot he performed in 2021. Now wholesome, Kourt Williams appears destined for a bigger function.
“All of us convey a unique skillset and mindset to it,” Proctor mentioned. “However I believe all of us just about complement one another rather well. We have been right here 2-3 years, so I believe we’re fairly snug with one another.
“I am extra athletic. I’m sideline to sideline. Kourt is extra within the field as a much bigger man. He is on tight ends. He’ll be becoming holes. Rocket is form of in between, a bit little bit of each.”
Day mentioned Proctor is behind in studying new coordinator Jim Knowles’ protection as a result of he missed the primary half of spring observe. Video examine is effective, nevertheless it’s not an alternative to precise observe.
“I do know the coaches, and he’ll work actually laborious the subsequent couple of months to catch up,” Day mentioned.
No matter it takes, Proctor is simply joyful to be again on the sector and able to stay as much as the potential lengthy anticipated of him.
One factor is for certain: His smile is again.
Invoice Rabinowitz covers Ohio State soccer for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at brabinowitz@dispatch.com or on Twitter @brdispatch.