The Associated Press

COLUMBUS — Terrelle Pryor’s replacement as the starting quarterback at Ohio State is the No. 1 question of fall camp.

But a close second? How about this: Who will he hand the ball to?

The role of tailback could be even greater in the absence of Pryor, who left after his junior season amid a suspension for NCAA violations, because the Buckeyes might rely heavily early on the running game to protect their relatively inexperienced signal callers.

Come midseason, the Buckeyes should be all set. In October, senior Daniel Herron, who is among the four players serving a five-game, NCAA-mandated suspension to start the year, will be back. He had 216 carries, 1,196 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2010.

Until Herron’s return, the Buckeyes will lean on junior Jordan Hall (37 carries, 169 yards, two scores last season), sophomores Jaamal Berry (32-367-1) and Carlos Hyde (24-115), as well as redshirt freshman Rod Smith.

“We don’t know who is going to play,” Hyde said. “Every day is like pressure. Someone is getting better, so that makes you want to get better.”

Coach Luke Fickell could go with a committee system, especially in the opener, Sept. 3 vs. Akron.

“You never know,” he said. “There’s a bunch of them. That’s one of the tougher positions I think on the field because it’s the one position that takes the most hits. A guy’s got to keep on getting up and keep on coming back after it and wearing people out.”

The returning quarterbacks are not exactly brimming with experience, either.

Senior Joe Bauserman completed 16 of 22 passes last season, while redshirt sophomore Kenny Guiton threw two passes in five appearances. Heralded freshman Braxton Miller and redshirt freshman Taylor Graham are also vying for time.

Adding to the possible burden on the running backs is that starting wide receiver DeVier Posey and starting offensive tackle Mike Adams will also serve five-game suspensions. The fourth is defensive end Solomon Thomas.

Put it all together, and Berry and Co. will be prepared for a heavy workload vs. the Zips.

“I think that’s going to be the deal,” he said. “We’re all working hard and play the reps like it’s game situations. I think we’ll be ready to open the season running the ball.”

Having the running backs catch the football could also be a big part of the game plan until the quarterbacks get comfortable. Hall and Hyde are particularly effective in the slot because of their speed.

“They’re just trying to get the ball around,” Hyde said. “We have good running backs that can catch. It’s good they’re using us at wideout to catch the ball. It works out.”

Putting multiple backs in the game would add another dimension to the offense, as well.

“It’s going to be fun this year,” Berry said, “to see what we do with all these talented backs.”