It's unlikely you'll see Ohio State Buckeyes use Jordan Hall at receiver: Hey, Doug!

The Buckeyes have enough options at receiver, but it will be interesting to see how Jim Tressel juggles his crowded backfield.

View full sizeMarvin Fong / PDBuckeyes running back Jordan Hall.

Q: Hey, Doug: With the loss of Duron Carter, is there any chance that running back/return man Jordan Hall could be used occasionally at wide receiver? -- Bob Anderson, Murrysville, Pa.

A: Hey, Bob: The ability Hall flashed at times last season has created a lot of interest among fans, but the Buckeyes have too many other options at receiver, even if many of them are young, to use Hall out there. But with a crowded backfield, I'll be interested to see how Jim Tressel plans to mix and match those backs, maybe putting two tailbacks on the field together, maybe throwing to the backs more than we have seen in the past. For all the intrigue about Hall, Jaamal Berry and Carlos Hyde, though, in the end I believe veterans Brandon Saine and Dan Herron will get the vast majority of the carries.

Q: Hey, Doug: With few scholarships remaining for Ohio State's Class of 2011, it seems grayshirting could be an option for some. What does that mean? -- Felipe Encarnacion, Wichita, Kan.

A: Hey, Felipe: Grayshirting is when a recruit doesn't enroll at school in the fall, sits out that semester, and then enrolls and joins the team for the winter. That player can then count against the next group of recruits, which can help if there's a scholarship crunch in one class, and he also retains all five years of eligibility. Quarterback Todd Boeckman was the most successful example of grayshirting at Ohio State, as he grayshirted one year, then redshirted the next and still had four years left to play.

However, I doubt that will be an issue for Ohio State with this class, which currently has 17 pledges and likely five or six spots remaining. Jim Tressel typically has a couple scholarships to hand to fourth- and fifth-year walk-ons each fall, and he seldom hits the 25-player limit on a class, so I doubt grayshirting will come into play.

-- Doug

Got an Ohio State question? Send it in. Submit your question at cleveland.com/heydoug, and Plain Dealer Ohio State beat writer Doug Lesmerises will choose at least one to answer each Sunday here in the sports section. All of Doug's answers will be archived online.