By Rusty Miller
The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The clock was ticking and the personnel experts were running out of time. "Fifteen seconds," the draft organizer called out.

Later, a spokesman for the team on the clock was asked what his staff's strategy was on the pick.

"I don't know," Ohio State tight end and Gray team assistant coach Ben Hartsock said. "Chaos?"

The Buckeyes chose sides Tuesday for the annual intrasquad scrimmage at Ohio Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Roles were reversed, with the senior players running the draft of the underclassmen, debating personnel moves and then explaining their draft philosophy.

After one trade was proposed by the Gray's Shane Olivea, Scarlet offensive lineman Alex Stepanovich scoffed at the offer.

"We'll need some cash with that one," he shouted back.

The draft was yet another way to enliven the monotony of 15 spring practices for the defending national champions.

The Buckeyes' seniors were first divided equitably between the Scarlet and Gray squads. The head coach of the visiting Gray squad was special teams coordinator Luke Fickell, himself a former Ohio State player. The Scarlet was led by another ex-Buckeye player, running backs coach Tim Spencer.

But the day belonged to the Buckeyes' seniors. They huddled on either side of the players meeting room at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, making rapid-fire decisions while draft organizer (and Ohio State head coach) Jim Tressel kept track of the choices and deadlines.

It was as if the Buckeyes' PlayStation 2 games had come to life.

Chris Gamble, the Buckeyes' two-way standout at wide receiver and cornerback, was the first player chosen. Gray won the coin flip to determine which side received the No. 1 pick.

"After we secured Gamble," the Gray's Hartsock said, "it was pretty much a melee."

Spencer said he and his many helpers had discussed trying to make a deal to get Gamble but it fell through. Spencer said the Scarlet had a plan to stop Gamble.

"We've got some shackles that will keep him in the locker room," Spencer said with a laugh.

The Scarlet's Michael Jenkins was confident his team would win even though the Gray picked up two starters for the price of one in Gamble.

"He may be covering one receiver, but we've got three or four other receivers," said Jenkins, the Buckeyes' top receiver last year. "There are certain things we can get around."

Last year's top rusher, Maurice Clarett, has not seen any contact yet this spring while he strengthens an injured shoulder. That explains why he was the third tailback chosen, behind Maurice Hall (by the Gray) and Lydell Ross (Scarlet).

Later Tuesday, Clarett said that coaches were withholding him from the spring same so he doesn't face unnecessary contact.

Starting quarterback Craig Krenzel will take the first snap from center for the Scarlet, with backup Scott McMullen running the Gray offense.

There were plenty of good-natured shots and inside jokes, usually with Tressel at the center.

• Krenzel pleaded with Tressel at one point to allow the quarterbacks to call their own plays. Tressel all but ignored his quarterback.

• When the list of injured players was read, Tressel broke up the Buckeyes when he asked if one player was still alive.

• Defensive lineman Tim Anderson was mocked after he had difficulty pronouncing Ashton Youboty, a freshman cornerback who enrolled during winter quarter so he play in the spring game.

• Tressel announced that offensive coordinator Jim Bollman would not be at the spring game. Bollman's daughter is graduating on Saturday - from Michigan.

• McMullen took a verbal jab at linebacker Fred Pagac Jr., with Tressel pouring it on Pagac: "He publicly defamed you!"

More than 50,000 tickets (at $5 each) have already been sold for Saturday's scrimmage, which begins at 1:30 p.m. Ohio State printed up 85,000 tickets and officials believe all might be sold by kickoff.

Asked what he expected his Gray squad to get out of Saturday's scrimmage, Fickell smiled and said, "Victory, of course."