SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Even as a senior, Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde learned a few things from talented freshman Ezekiel Elliott before entering the 2014 draft. Elliott taught Hyde the value of being an asset without the ball in his hands. Running backs as talented as Hyde, who ran for 3,198 yards in college, get notoriety for making tacklers miss. Hyde appreciates Elliott for showing him how to make defenders miss his teammates by throwing blocks downfield. “He came in and set the tone with that,” said Hyde, “without the ball, running down the field, throwing a cut block. … He changed our (running backs) room at Ohio State with that.” Elliott went on to get drafted fourth overall by the Dallas Cowboys last spring, in part because of his complete skill set. Not only did he eclipse Hyde’s Ohio State rushing total by 763 yards in three seasons (Hyde played four), Elliott was widely considered the best blocking back in the 2016 draft. “He’s not a guy that you have to take off the field,” 49ers coach Chip Kelly said of Elliott. “He’s got speed. He’s got power. You know, he’s kind of the best combination.…
Continue Reading: Elliot and Hyde, former Buckeyes, to face off Sunday
