URBAN MEYER'S FIRST PRACTICE AT OSU UPBEAT, FAST ON WEDNESDAY

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, right, speaks with quarterback Braxton Miller during spring practice Wednesday in Columbus. (Photo/AP Jay LePrete)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State had it's first football practice Wednesday afternoon under new head coach Urban Meyer, and it was apparent early on that there was a major fundamental change afoot.

Meyer, a two-time national championship winning coach at Florida, had the tempo at practice at an all-time high. The practices were more vocal, faster and a bit more youthful.

AARON CRAFT MORE THAN JUST A DEFENDER, HE'S BUCKEYES' LEADER

Aaron Craft (AP)

"He's the best defender in college. There's nobody better than him in college basketball."

Those are the words of Ohio State head basketball coach Thad Matta when asked about his starting point guard Aaron Craft, following the Buckeyes' 73-66 win over Gonzaga, this past weekend in the third round of the Men's NCAA tournament.

Craft, a native of northwest Ohio, has made a name for himself as a premier defender. But it was the offensive game of the sophomore first-team academic all-American that has the Buckeyes heading to Boston to play in the "Sweet 16."