Ohio State had just lost to Florida in the national championship game, but that wasn't the only reason for the defensive tackle's despair.

After three seasons at Ohio State, Abdallah had been on the field for 23 minutes. Time was marching on, and he wasn't in the parade.

"I was like, 'I've been on the bench for a while now, I need to step my game up,' " Abdallah said.

Before he could step up, he had to slim down. He weighed somewhere north of 330 pounds. Abdallah cut out fried foods, un-super-sized his portions, drank more water and worked out like a fiend. He reported to spring practice nearly 40 pounds lighter, at 295.

"Surprising," defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said. "He's a new man."

Once a perennial disappointment, Abdallah now is solidly in the tackle rotation and should see significant playing time this fall. His case could provide hope to other players who have been at Ohio State for a few years and haven't done much. Preseason camp provides another chance for underachievers to get on the bus or be left behind.

The life cycle of a college football player is swift and short. Every year, a new crop of talented freshmen comes in, most hoping to play right away at the expense of a veteran.Some assume that when older players ahead of them depart, they'll naturally rise to the top. But sometimes they're wrong.

"We can't write any contracts," running backs coach Dick Tressel said. "We can't make a contract, 'Hey, you're going to play this much,' (or) 'We're going to let you touch it this many times.' "

Ben Person found that out. He was one of three offensive linemen in the recruiting class of 2004, along with Jon Skinner and Kyle Mitchum. All three redshirted, then played sparingly in 2005. Entering last season, Person looked at the depth chart. He saw Skinner and Mitchum listed as second-teamers. He didn't see his name.

"That's when it really hit home," Person said. "It was kind of a reality check for me."

Like Abdallah, he started working harder, coming out early to practice and staying late, focusing on his technique. This past spring, Person worked as the starting right guard, a spot he still holds.

"I wasn't mad at anybody about it at all," he said of his years in obscurity. "I was kind of upset with myself because I didn't put myself in position to be where I wanted to be."

Those stories have a flip side, though. Some players don't take advantage of their opportunities.

The safety positions are a prime example. Junior Jamario O'Neal has started games and been listed No. 1 on past depth charts, but now is behind sophomore Kurt Coleman.

Fourth-year junior Nick Patterson began last season as a starter, but his playing time rapidly diminished as the year progressed. He now is backing up third-year sophomore Anderson Russell.

Coach Jim Tressel has a soft spot for upperclassmen. He wants to see them all succeed, but patience has limits.

"It's disappointing sometimes when you're hoping someone is going to step up and they don't," he said, not speaking about anyone in particular. "It's disappointing for us and disappointing for them. It's kind of their time to maybe have their chance."

Junior Maurice Wells knows all about trying to fend off younger players. The running back waited his turn behind Antonio Pittman, then was passed by sophomore Chris "Beanie" Wells. Now freshman Brandon Saine has arrived to challenge for the No. 2 spot.

But Maurice Wells has the attitude that coaches hope all veteran backups would adopt.

"Whatever is best for the team is what you have to do," he said. "If that's taking a back seat to a younger player, if that's going to help the team win, that's what you have to do."

The book is not closed on Wells' career, nor that of O'Neal or Patterson or any other veteran in danger of being buried on the bench.

How they respond to this challenge will determine their fate. Ask Abdallah.

"Just because you're a junior or senior does not mean you're going to play," he said. "You've got to work for it; you've got to be the one to show the coaches that you are the one who wants it most.

"After that championship game, I just changed my whole life, and right now I feel great."

kgordon@dispatch.com