BrutusBobcat
Icon and Entertainer
It seems that every year, those rabid fans who follow recruiting (ie. us :) ) over-estimate the impact of incoming freshmen. Sometimes, we also get surprised by a sleeper like AJ Hawk. So, what I would like to do is have as realistic a discussion as possible of who we expect to see some playing time while games are still in question.
Personally, I like the chances for the following guys. I admit that I am biased towards guys who get to campus in the winter and spring. The past several years at OSU have shown that the early enrollees (think MoC, Donte Whitner and Ashton Youboty) do end up contributing as Freshmen.
In order:
- Antonio Pittman. Got to school early, and the Guilford mess moves him up the depth chart (though I think he would have anyway). He also performed very well in the spring game, and brings a change of pace to the RB position.
- Steve Rehring. Also got to school early, and with the loss to graduation of so many players on the OL, Steve should get some time. With his size, he's ready to go, and seems like the kind of player who responds quickly to coaching.
- Ted Ginn. Breaks my "rule" of early enrollment, and he is sometimes criticized for being small (Youboty wasn't much bigger as a Frosh, however), but his athletic skills are desperately needed at kick/punt return, with both Gamble and Jenkins playing on Sundays now. He will have to win a battle with Childress and Hall, and prove that he can keep the ball more secure. There is also a lot of depth at corner, so that's going to be tough for him to crack as well. Either way, I won't bet against the nation's #1 recruit.
- Marcus Freeman. Crazy depth at LB will probably keep his time down considerably, but again, this is a guy who got to school early, looked good in the spring game, and has a world of potential at his position.
One guy I am leaving off is Eric Haw, and that is not a knock against him at all. I certainly hope that he comes in and does great things as a Freshman, but -- with Pittman already here early, plus two returning seniors in Ross and Hall, PLUS a fullback (Joe) who can play TB, I am just not sure that a regular fall enrollee is going to get in the game other than in garbage time, barring injury or serious underpeformance by the seniors.
Edit: By contribution, I mean guys who get in games that are still games, and perform well, not necessarily starters. Guys from the past who would fit that are AJ Hawk, Nick Mangold, MoC (obviously), Donte Whitner, etc.
Personally, I like the chances for the following guys. I admit that I am biased towards guys who get to campus in the winter and spring. The past several years at OSU have shown that the early enrollees (think MoC, Donte Whitner and Ashton Youboty) do end up contributing as Freshmen.
In order:
- Antonio Pittman. Got to school early, and the Guilford mess moves him up the depth chart (though I think he would have anyway). He also performed very well in the spring game, and brings a change of pace to the RB position.
- Steve Rehring. Also got to school early, and with the loss to graduation of so many players on the OL, Steve should get some time. With his size, he's ready to go, and seems like the kind of player who responds quickly to coaching.
- Ted Ginn. Breaks my "rule" of early enrollment, and he is sometimes criticized for being small (Youboty wasn't much bigger as a Frosh, however), but his athletic skills are desperately needed at kick/punt return, with both Gamble and Jenkins playing on Sundays now. He will have to win a battle with Childress and Hall, and prove that he can keep the ball more secure. There is also a lot of depth at corner, so that's going to be tough for him to crack as well. Either way, I won't bet against the nation's #1 recruit.
- Marcus Freeman. Crazy depth at LB will probably keep his time down considerably, but again, this is a guy who got to school early, looked good in the spring game, and has a world of potential at his position.
One guy I am leaving off is Eric Haw, and that is not a knock against him at all. I certainly hope that he comes in and does great things as a Freshman, but -- with Pittman already here early, plus two returning seniors in Ross and Hall, PLUS a fullback (Joe) who can play TB, I am just not sure that a regular fall enrollee is going to get in the game other than in garbage time, barring injury or serious underpeformance by the seniors.
Edit: By contribution, I mean guys who get in games that are still games, and perform well, not necessarily starters. Guys from the past who would fit that are AJ Hawk, Nick Mangold, MoC (obviously), Donte Whitner, etc.
