Ohio State right tackle Dawand Jones has a not-so-subtle way of reminding himself of his offseason gains.
Occasionally after the Buckeyes finish practice at preseason camp, Jones will get in extra work with assistant athletic director of sports performance Mickey Marotti. The slightly slimmed down 6-foot-8 tackle will partake in planks lasting 40 seconds to a minute, and he’ll perform the exercise with a 35- to 45-pound plate on his back.
Jones, who said he played last season at around 370 pounds, has since cut 10 pounds from his frame and sits around 360. He keeps the plates on his back as a reminder to himself of what it’s like to compete with extra weight.