2006 Buckeyes Forecast, Recruiting, and The Game (Merged)

[Brutus1]

Has Lane been moved back to defense yet? I remember last year the coaches were commenting on how hard of a hitter he was.

 

[Cornerback6]

This question makes it all that much more fantastic for us that Jenkins played so much corner this year as a true freshman. I have a LOT of confidence in him.

On a side note, anyone else notice how much trash he talks to the receivers of the other team? Jenkins is ALWAYS in someone's face...definitely a bold thing to do as a true freshman, but he is a big talent.

 

[NFBuck]

17. Michigan (7-5): If not for Coach Lloyd Carr, Wolverines would be a top-12 team.

Drats!!! The jig is up!

 

[BrutusBobcat]

If there were ever proof that lots of people in the media generally weigh in on the side of offense, picking OSU as pre-season #1 is it.

How do you pick a team that's losing NINE guys off of the defense?

Then they knock Texas and USC hard for losing stars on offense, and throw in some mush about ND's defense being better...but give them #2 because the offense returns. I'm shocked that Texas Tech isn't #3!

I don't mean to complain about a top ranking, but I am. :tongue2: It's absurd, really. Defense may not be sexy enough for Sportscenter, but it still wins (or loses) football games.

We might have a great defense next year, but there's no way to know right now. Once Spring practice hits and we see the S&G game, we'll have a better idea, but I don't think that we're going to have a solid handle on it until the Texas game.

Two years ago, who would have thought that OSU would go into the season with possibly the most potent offense in the country and a defense full of questions? lol! That crazy Tressel -- always keeping people off guard.

On another note, who is our place kicker going to be? Pretorius? Pettrey has a shot too, right?

 

[sandgk]

I realize they lose a lot of seniors this year to graduation or the NFL, but for Penn State to go from #3 this season to sub top-25 in next years pre-season is a major dunning for the Nittany Lions.

And Notre Dame remains over-rated in that line-up, and Michigan remains over-rated in that line-up. ND more so because their needs on Defense, which were so glaringly exposed in the Fiesta Bowl (and other games this year) cannot be overcome in one year.

Though that face-slap quip against Carr is hilarious.

Its worth reminding ourseslves of the value of pre-season polls - even ones made some time around or after spring practice:

LINK

Preseason college football polls worthless

By Jeremy Kelley
Dayton Daily News
College football's preseason polls are garbage and should be abolished.

The pollsters were right — Tennessee nearly captured college football's national championship, and Penn State was worse than the Miami RedHawks.


Wait. You mean that's wrong?
But I'm looking at the preseason polls, and it was unanimous — Tennessee was the No. 3 team in the country, and Penn State wasn't in the top 30.
Looks like the coaches and media had no grasp on those teams in August. Which makes you wonder why college football's national championship process is still poisoned annually by preseason polls.
This is not a harmless issue. The polls help decide the national champion, and preseason polls shape the title chase.
A team that starts the season in the Top 10 has to lose repeatedly before it finally convinces voters to give up (see 5-6 Tennessee). And a team that starts unranked may never be able to earn the votes it deserves (West Virginia is one of four one-loss teams in the nation but didn't crack the Top 10 until Thursday).
How badly did the preseason pollsters miss? A chimp picking teams out of a hat might have matched the AP voters' success. Of the Top 16 in the final AP poll, eight of them were ranked in the preseason and eight were not. Among those overlooked in August were No. 3 Penn State, No. 5 West Virginia, No. 8 Alabama and No. 9 Notre Dame (on the 65 preseason ballots, WVU and ND each got exactly one 25th place vote).
The coaches did a little better, leaving just seven of the final Top 16 unranked in the preseason.
Both the media and coaches were sure preseason No. 3 Tennessee (5-6) and No. 4 Michigan (7-5) were headed for great things. Iowa (7-5) cracked the coaches' Top 10, Purdue (5-6) was 16 and Texas A&M (5-6) No. 17.
Obviously, we can't be sure in August who's going to be great in November. So let's make sure these wild-guess polls don't further pollute an already smoggy national championship system.

 

[osugrad21]

Cleveland PD

1/11

OHIO STATE FOOTBALL



Buckeyes bolstering defense



Wednesday, January 11, 2006 Doug Lesmerises

Plain Dealer Reporter
With three weeks until national signing day, Ohio State's recruiting class continues to grow, especially on defense, and rise in the national rankings.
On Tuesday, defensive end Walter Dublin of Sarasota, Fla., called Ohio State coach Jim Tressel with his oral commitment, the 14th high school player to pledge his future to the Buckeyes.
Allen Wallace, the national recruiting director for Scout.com, has Ohio State rated 10th nationally, but the only school ranked higher with that few commitments is USC at No. 5.
"Ohio State, USC and Michigan would be the programs in my mind who are best perched to move up," Wallace said.
Florida, the No. 1 class at Scout.com, has 27 commitments. Michigan, at No. 6 the only Big Ten school ranked above Ohio State, has 15 commitments.
Dublin became the third defensive player in the last four days to commit to Ohio State, following Los Angeles linebacker Mark Johnson on Monday and Glenville defensive end Robert Rose. He visited Ohio State over the weekend, with Minnesota his first choice at that point. After sitting down with Tressel, he changed his mind.
"He's one of the most respected and knowledgeable coaches I've ever talked to," Dublin said. "And it extended further than just football. He has a reputation of being a great football coach and always winning a BCS game, but we talked about what I wanted out of my experience at Ohio State."
Dublin also talked with quarterback Troy Smith and freshman linebacker James Laurinaitis, and canceled a visit to Clemson when he returned home.
He missed four games this season with a high ankle sprain, but his coach, Bob Perkins, reported him 100 percent healthy. Dublin also was intrigued by Ohio State's vision for him as an outside linebacker and pass rusher at defensive end, the way Bobby Carpenter was used this season.
"I think Walter is an underrated prospect," Wallace said. "He had offers from Florida, Clemson, Iowa, Minnesota and Virginia Tech. I think he'll do great things for the Buckeyes."
Losing nine defensive starters, Ohio State has wrapped up nine of its 14 recruits on defense, including three linebackers in Johnson, Cincinnati Colerain's Tyler Moeller and Coldwater High's Ross Homan.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-4748

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

1/11/06

OSU FOOTBALL
Buckeyes are closing in on class of ’06

Defensive end from Florida commits to OSU
Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

<!--PHOTOS--><TABLE class=phototableright align=right border=0><!-- begin large ad code --><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE align=center><TBODY></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


While Ohio State picked up another recruit yesterday morning, there was a strong indication that the final tally on the 2006 class won’t be made until at least Feb. 1, the morning of signing day.

That’s because Cleveland Glenville receiver Ray Small, one of the few major prospects in the state yet to commit, doesn’t plan to reveal his choice until then. But he has had his top two narrowed down for quite a while.

"Ohio State and Southern Cal," Small said this week. "Ohio State, I feel strongly for the Buckeyes. I feel real comfortable there. But USC, you can’t just pass them up."

So it goes for Ohio State as it heads into the final three weeks of the campaign. The Buckeyes have 14 commitments, headed toward a class of 18 to 20, depending on how things fall.

For defensive end Walter Dublin of Sarasota, Fla., they fell OSU’s way yesterday. He said he called coach Jim Tressel at mid-morning to let him know, choosing OSU over Iowa, Virginia Tech and Minnesota.

Dublin, 6 feet 3 and 235 pounds, is one of the higherrated defensive line prospects in Florida. He said OSU coaches spoke with him about being a swing player in the mold of Will Smith and Bobby Carpenter. But he said that was only a minor piece of the puzzle that fell into place as far as his choosing OSU.

"My major deciding factor was sitting down with coach (Jim) Tressel and having a nice talk," Dublin said. "The man is probably the most respectable guy I’ve ever met. We didn’t talk about football. It was about what I wanted out of my full experience at Ohio State.

"He has the reputation of winning national championships and winning bowls, but further than that, it seems like all the players there are completely satisfied with their experience. That really left a big impact."

How it will play with the remaining players on the OSU wish list remains to be seen. Bill Kurelic, the Midwest analyst for Rivals.com who has been covering OSU recruiting for two decades, said there are at least nine more prospects the Buckeyes are pursuing, and at least one he considers a must-get.

"Ray Small, because he is a great prospect, No. 1, one of the top four overall in Ohio," Kurelic said. "Plus, they have wide receivers already in the program, but when you lose a great one like Santonio Holmes (early to the NFL draft) it’s always good to replace him with what could be another great one."

Right behind Small on the must list might be teammate Bryant Browning.

Browning sticks out not just because he’s 6-4 and 335 pounds but also because he’s an offensive lineman. There is just one, Connor Smith of Cincinnati Colerain, in the class so far and no one other than Browning on the radar screen.

Otherwise, the Buckeyes can only enhance an already strong linebacker group if they can lure Thaddeus Gibson of Euclid or Colin McCarthy of Clearwater, Fla.
They also like a couple of 6-6 players from Pennsylvania. One is tight end Andy Miller of Washington, Pa., who could reveal his choice this week from among OSU, West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Indiana. The other is Wes Lyons of Pittsburgh, the younger brother of current OSU receiver Devon Lyons.

The younger Lyons has narrowed his choices to Ohio State and West Virginia.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ozone (free)

1/11/06

Football
Buckeye Football: 2006
By John Porentas
The strong finish to the 2005 football season has the eyes of the Buckeye Nation focused firmly on the 2006 season. And while many analysts are concerned about the OSU defense in 2006, there is room for optimism.

The Buckeyes should be as strong offensively in 2006 as they have been during the Tressel era. The Buckeyes will return eight of the 11 starters who were on the field for the first snap of the Notre Dame game, losing center Nick Mangold, left guard Rob Sims, and wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Everybody else will be back.

Here is a unit-by-unit capsule of OSU's prospects for 2006.

Offensive Line
The departure of Sims and Mangold represent a loss of 40% of the offensive line, but the Buckeyes appear well stocked at that position and have both experienced and talented players waiting in the wings.

The likely candidates to replace Mangold at center are this year's starting left tackle, Doug Datish, or redshirt freshman Jim Cordle who impressed the coaches before suffering an injury that ended his season.
​

<TABLE cellPadding=2 width=100 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

Doug Datish ​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

If Cordle wins the spot, Datish could move to left guard to make room for freshman Alex Boone in the starting lineup at the left tackle spot. If Datish wins the spot at center, Boone will most likely be the man at left tackle.

The most likely replacement for Sims at the left guard spot will be Steve Rehring. Rehring sat out most of this season due to an injury, but played extensively last season at left tackle and was taking snaps at guard this season before his injury. As stated, Datish could also be a factor at guard if he does not play center.

Mangold and Sims were the unqualified leaders of the offensive line this season. If one of the returning veterans such as Datish or right guard T. J. Downing or right tackle Kirk Barton step up to assume that leadership role, the offensive line could be excellent next season. We see Datish and Downing as the most likely candidates for those roles. Downing has an outgoing personality that lends itself to leadership, and Datish is an extremely intelligent player who should have no trouble making line calls.

In a Nutshell: The Buckeyes will probably be bigger and stronger along the offensive front in 2006, but perhaps not quite as mobile. Both Mangold and Sims run well, and replacing them in terms of mobility will be difficult. They will however by very strong and should protect the passer well. They will also have depth with Datish, Downing, Barton, Boone and Rehring all returning with starting experience, and players such as Cordle, Ben Person, Kyle Mitchum and Jon Skinner waiting in the wings.

The-Ozone Best Guess Projected Starters:

Left Tackle: Alex Boone, 6-8, 315
Left Guard: Steve Rehring, 6-8, 329
Center: Doug Datish, 6-5, 295
Right Guard: T. J. Downing, 6-5, 305
Right Tackle: Kirk Barton, 6-7, 325

Wide Receiver

Holmes was not only a big-play receiver, but like Mangold and Sims, was the leader of his unit. It will be difficult to replace his big play ability, and equally difficult to replace his leadership.
​

<TABLE cellPadding=2 width=100 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=23>

Ted Ginn Jr. ​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

The prime candidate to replace Holmes in the big play department is of course Ted Ginn. Wide receiver coach Darrell Hazell said early this year that Ginn would mature into the big play type player that Holmes is, and in the Fiesta Bowl, Ginn demonstrated that Hazell knows what he is talking about.

Ginn finished the season with 51 receptions, just two less than Holmes who had 53. He also averaged 15.7 yards per catch and caught four touchdown passes. While Ginn is the likely big play guy, the leadership role could well fall to Anthony Gonzalez. We also expect Gonzalez to be more of featured receiver in 2006.

The Buckeyes have a wealth of young receivers to replace Holmes, as well as veteran Roy Hall. Hall is probably the top candidate to step in as OSU's number three receiver, with Ginn and Gonzalez moving up to options one and two. Also waiting in the wings are unproven but talented Brian Hartline, Brian Robiskie, Albert Dukes as well as junior Devon Jordan and sophomore Devon Lyons.

In a Nutshell: It will be tough to replace Holmes, but we expect Ginn to be an improved player in 2006 and to fill in the big-play void left by Holmes' departure. There is plenty of young talent for depth. Don't be surprised if there is a budding star waiting in the wings among the young players.


The-Ozone best guess projected starters;

Ted Ginn Jr.; 6-0, 175
Anthony Gonzalez; 6-0, 195
Roy Hall; 6-3, 240 or Albert Dukes; 6-1, 190

Quarterback​

<TABLE cellPadding=2 width=100 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

Troy Smith ​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Troy Smith will return for a run at not only a winning season, but the Heisman Trophy as well. With the departure of Texas quarterback Vince Young to the NFL, Smith will be a candidate for that award in 2006.

Top backup Justin Zwick will also return, despite persistent speculation that he might transfer. We just don't see that. Todd Boeckman will be back for his sophomore season and Robby Schoenhoft will return after taking a redshirt his freshman year. Troy Smith's improvement during the 2005 season was dramatic. If he can continue that trend, he will be outstanding in 2006. OSU threw just five interceptions in all of 2005 and had one of the most efficient passing games in the nation.

In a Nutshell: The Bucks are loaded at quarterback. There is skill, experience, and talent in abundance. Smith threw for 2,282 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2005, completing 62.9 per cent of his passes. He also rushed for 55.5 yards per game as OSU's second-leading rusher.

The-Ozone best guess projected starter;

Troy Smith 6-1, 215

Running Back

Antonio Pittman had a fine sophomore season finishing with 1,360 yards and seven touchdown on 243 carries for an average of 5.5 yards per carry.

Pittman averaged 110.9 yards per game in his first year as a full-time starter. Pittman proved remarkably durable in 2005 after having injury problems in 2004.
​

<TABLE cellPadding=2 width=100 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

Antonio Pittman ​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Also returning in 2006 for his sophomore season is Maurice Wells. Wells saw limited duty in 2005, but did get on the field enough to have 61 carries. That experience should serve him very well in 2006. We see Wells as being much like Pittman was last year. He is extremely fast and quick, but needs a year in the weight room in order to able to be effective as a Big Ten running back. We think Wells will be a much-improved ball carrier in 2006.

Incoming freshman Chris Wells will be the big back that the Buckeyes have not had since Maurice Clarett. At 6-2, 235, Wells is a punishing runner who was named the MVP in the Army All-Star game for outstanding high school seniors across the country. Some have ranked him as the top running back prospect in the nation coming out of high school this year.

In a Nutshell: The Buckeyes were good at running back in 2005, and should be better in 2006. Pittman will continue to improve, and we expect M. Wells to be an improved player as well. The addition of C. Wells to the mix might mean that we will see more two-back offense in 2006, if for no other reason than to get him on the field.

The-Ozone best guess projected starter: Antonio Pittman, 5-11, 195, early, with Chris Wells, 6-2, 235, breathing down his back all season.

Tight End/Fullback

The tight end and fullback positions have become somewhat of a hybrid at Ohio State, so we're going to consider them together.
​

<TABLE cellPadding=2 width=100 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Stan White Jr. [/FONT]​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

When the formation calls for a big-speed guy in the backfield, returners Stan White Jr. and Dionte Johnson will be on hand to answer the call. White got bigger in 2005 and found himself on the field considerably as the season progressed. Johnson is a heavy hitter between the tackles, but must work on his agility on the outside to become a more-rounded player at his position. Both are capable runners and capable receivers, but blocking is their primary role in the OSU offense. Both will be bigger, faster, stronger, and more experienced in 2006.

When the formation calls for a tight end on the line of scrimmage the Buckeyes will have returners Marcel Frost and Rory Nicol to call on. Frost got considerable playing time this year after Ryan Hamby was injured and Nicol sat out the season with an injury after playing as a true freshman last year. The good news is that Nichol was able to gain a redshirt year in doing so.

The Buckeyes had considerable success in the Michigan game when they lined up Andre Tyree at a tight end and just overpowered the Wolverines. Don't be surprised of another offensive lineman is groomed for that role next season.

In a Nutshell: There is veteran talent returning at all the offensive big speed positions in 2006. We think Stan White Jr. will be incorporated into the offense more in his senior season, and that both Rory Nicol and Frost will be utilized more in the passing game, particularly with the departure of Santonio Holmes.

The-Ozone best guess projected starters;

In the backfield, Stan White Jr. 6-3, 245
On the line of scrimmage: Marcel Frost 6-5, 255, but only because we're not sure how Nicol's (6-5, 260) injury has healed. If he is healthy, it could be a real dogfight for playing time at tight end.

Coaching:

The offensive coaching staff was rather maligned in Jim Tressel's first four seasons at OSU, but the nay-sayers have disappeared. Smith's improvement this year is a testament to both Joe Daniels and Jim Tressel.

Dick Tressel did a great job bringing along Antonio Pittman and grooming Maurice Wells. Darrell Hazell's influence on Santonio Holmes, Anthony Gonzalez and Ted Ginn Jr. is unmistakable and marks Hazell as a coach to watch.
​

<TABLE cellPadding=2 width=100 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

Jim Bollman ​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

No one took more heat than Jim Bollman in the first four years of the Tressel era, but we don't hear too many people carping these days.

OSU's offensive line was very efficient this year, and as offensive line coach, Bollman deserves much of the credit. He was helped in that endeavor by John Peterson, who in name is OSU's tight ends coach, but also works with the offensive line. That coaching combination was excellent in 2005.

Bollman also deserves credit as OSU's offensive coordinator. Ohio State opened the season with an offensive philosophy that had four or five receivers on the field much of the time, and was focused on getting the ball to the wide receivers near the line of scrimmage. It didn't work, and Bollman was flexible enough to scrap that idea and move toward a three-wide attack that featured down-field passing and the running game between the tackles.

In a Nutshell: Five years in, the offensive staff has proven their ability to develop players. The offensive line and Troy Smith in 2005 are glowing examples of that. This season, they also exhibited the flexibility to change a plan. As Troy Smith and Antonio Pittman developed, the offense evolved to take advantage of them. As far as game planning goes, the Notre Dame game and the insertion of Tyree into the Michigan game speak for themselves.

The offense as a whole:

The offense should be better in 2006 than it was in 2005, and that's saying a lot. After a slow start in 2005, the offense was deadly at season's end. If Troy Smith stays healthy, the Buckeyes will be hard to stop in 2006. Smith will most likely run less in 2006 for two reason. First, he is improved as a quarterback and thinks pass first now. Secondly, he will have LOTS of help in the running game in 2006. Ohio State should be both explosive and consistent in 2006.

Tomorrow: Defense and Special Teams
​

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

1/11/06

Football
Buckeye Football 2006 - The Defense ​

​

By John Porentas
​

The Ohio State defense is being hit hard by graduation this year, and a number of key underclassmen have either declared for the NFL draft or are seriously considering the NFL draft.

Departing seniors include all three linebackers (A. J. Hawk, Anthony Schlegel, and Bobby Carpenter), safety Nate Salley, defensive back Tyler Everett, defensive end Mike Kudla and defensive tackle Marcus Green.

Additionally, cornerback Ashton Youboty has declared for the NFL draft, and safety Donte Whitner is also rumored to be ready to follow suit, though as of the moment he has not officially done so. The final date to declare for the draft is January 15.

If Whitner goes, the Buckeyes will lose their entire secondary, their entire linebacking corps and two of four defensive linemen. The only defensive starters to return in 2006 would be defensive linemen Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson.

That's a tremendous loss of talent and experience, but the cupboard won't exactly be bare in 2006.

Defensive Line

Though probably the least sexy position on the defense, the defensive line will ultimately determine just how good or bad the OSU defense will be in 2006. A strong pass rush can take some pressure off defensive backs and linebackers in coverage, and strong defensive line play in the running game can allow linebackers to roam and get to running backs.

On the inside, Pitcock will be a dominant player and will make a serious run at both All-Big Ten and perhaps even All-American honors. Joining Pitcock on the OSU defensive interior will be either Joel Penton or Patterson.

Patterson can play either defensive end or in the middle, and could see time at both positions next year. Penton saw considerable playing time in 2005 and in 2004 as a backup and Patterson was a starter at defensive end the entire 2005 season.

Supplying depth on the interior are Nadar Abdallah and Sian Cotton. Both are big (Abdallah is 6-5, 300, Cotton 6-4, 315) and have been waiting in the wings for a chance. Cotton will be a redshirt junior next year and Abdallah a redshirt sophomore, so both have been in the program and will have some understanding of the defense and will have had considerable time in the OSU weight room. Todd Denlinger redshirted in 2005 and will also add depth in 2006.

At the defensive end position, Jay Richardson will return after seeing significant playing time in 2005, as will true freshman Lawrence Wilson.

Richardson is a good pass rusher whose weakness has been on the run.

Wilson is a budding star who played early in the year and started the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame after missing some regular-season time with an injury. Adding additional depth at the defensive end spot is inexperienced but gifted Vernon Gholstin and Alex Barrow. Also returning at the defensive end position are Doug Worthington and Ryan Williams. Both are freshmen who redshirted this year. The wildcard player in this mix is Mike D'Andrea, who if healthy could fill the role at rush end the Bobby Carpenter filled in 2005.

In a Nutshell: OSU will return some experienced players to the defensive line and has a host of unproven talent waiting to step into key roles in 2006. We think that the there is enough talent and experience at these positions to make it a strength on the OSU defense next fall, and that bodes well for the buckeye defense. OSU should be very strong up the middle, and should be able to get some pass rush from the defensive end spots.

The-Ozone best guess as starters

DE - Lawrence Wilson 6-6, 235
DE- Jay Richardson 6-6, 280 or David Patterson 6-3, 285
DT - Quinn Pitcock 6-3, 295
DT - David Patterson or Joel Penton (6-5, 290)

Linebackers

This position seems to be the focus of a lot of angst for OSU fans, and on the surface, that concern seems justified, but believe it or not, OSU will put three linebackers on the field in 2006, and they will probably be pretty good.

At one outside backer Marcus Freeman will be a redshirt sophomore in 2006 and will impress a lot of people. Freeman was injured in 2005 and redshirted, but prior to the injury was as good as the linebackers who were on the field in 2005. That's saying a lot, but Freeman is that kind of player. According to several OSU players, Freeman consistently finished ahead of all the other linebackers in wind sprints. He can run, hit, and cover. Freeman will be on the field in 2006.

Candidates for the other outside linebacking position are James Laurenitis, Curtis Terry, Austin Spitler, John Kerr, Ryan Lukens, and Mike D'Andrea aka Mr. Wildcard. Laurenitis surprised everyone by getting on the field in 2006.

He played extensively on special teams and took Bobby Carpenter's spot in the Michigan game and the bowl game after Carpenter was injured on the first play of the game against the Wolverines. His experience in 2005 and another year in the weight room will help him tremendously in 2006.

Kerr transferred to OSU from Indiana after earring freshman defensive player of the year in the Big Ten at I.U. Kerr and Laurenitis seemed to be sharing playing time in the Fiesta Bowl and both played extensively on special teams. One of those two will probably win the outside linebacker position opposite Freeman. Kerr could also be a candidate for the inside linebacker position.

Curtis Terry played extensively on special teams and brings great speed to the position. Terry could develop into a Cie Grant type outside linebacker and will probably backup Freeman in 2006.

At inside linebacker the candidates are Chad Hoobler, John Kerr, and Mr. Wildcard, Mike D'Andrea. We don't think D'Andrea will end up in the middle if for no other reason than to protect his injured knees and shoulder. That leaves Hoobler and Kerr. Both have seen the field on special teams, though Kerr has been on the field more than Hoobler in regular game situations.

In a Nutshell: Ohio State may be a little inexperienced at linebacker next fall, but not totally inexperienced. Laurenitis, Kerr, and D'Andrea have all been on the field at least to some extent, and all of the linebacking candidates have played extensively on special teams. While there will be a definite falloff in experience, there is definitely talent at all the positions. This unit will be better than most people expect in 2006. The personnel on the field will probably change often with the situation, with there being running situation specialists, passing specialists, nickel package specialists, etc.

The-ozone best guess starters:

OLB Marcus Freeman 6-2, 230
OLB James Laurenitis 6-3, 231
ILB John Kerr 6-1, 246
Mr. Wildcard Mike D'Andrea 6-3, 248, who can and probably will play at OLB, ILB, and DE

Defensive Backs

If Donte Whitner leaves this year, and it looks like he will, it will be a wholesale retooling year in the defensive backfield. Retooling, however, is not the same as rebuilding.

At corner, Malcolm Jenkins will return in 2006 as a starter after bursting onto the scene in 2005. With the departure of Ashton Youboty to the NFL Jenkins will likely become OSU's number one cover guy in 2006 . Jenkins had a very good 2005 and should be even better in 2006. He will be more experienced and will benefit from a year in the weight room.

There are a hoard of candidates for the opposite corner, none of whom are tested, but all of whom are talented. Brandon Underwood, Mike Roberts, and Andre Amos are the most likely candidates, and one of that trio will emerge to win the starting corner position. We like Andre Amos out of that group. We saw him shut down Mario Manningham in the North-South All-Star game and were impressed.

The Buckeyes will have to find two safeties if Whitner goes to the NFL, but there is absolutely no lack of candidates at those positions. Jamario O'Neal, Antonio Smith, Donald Washington, Sirjo Welch, Brandon Mitchell, Nick Patterson, Curt Lukens, and Anderson Russell are all players who could emerge, but we think it will be pretty cut and dried at safety.

Two players, Brandon Mitchell and Jamario O'Neal, saw considerable playing time in 2005 in the nickel package and on special teams, and will be the leading safety candidates. Mitchell has a few starts under his belt as a safety and will be a fifth-year senior in 2006. O'Neal was good in 2005 and will be better in 2006.

A nickel back candidate will have to emerge in 2006, and that could go a couple of ways. Jamario O'Neal could take the third cover corner position in the nickel, leaving room for another safety on the field, or a corner could emerge as a true nickel back. We think the trio of Nick Patterson, Donald Smith and Anderson Russell will compete for that spot.

In a Nutshell: Despite the wholesale loss of starters, the OSU defensive backfield will not be devoid of experience. Jenkins, Mitchell and O'Neal have logged significant playing time, and we expect all three of those players to be on the field in 2006.

The-Ozone best guess starters

CB Malcolm Jenkins 6-1, 180
CB Andre Amos 6-1, 180
S Jamario O'Neal 6-1, 180
S Brandon Mitchell 6-3, 205
Nickel Nick Patterson 6-2, 210

Coaching

We have two words to say about the OSU coaching staff. - Jim Heacock
We think the Heacock, and his number one henchman Luke Fickell, have things under control for the OSU defense. They knew who was graduating at what positions and made sure that there were players who got at least some playing time in 2005 to bring them along for 2006. If you read our position-by-position breakdown, it strikes us just how much returning experience there really is despite the loss of all those starters. We also think that Heacock and Fickell will coach to the strengths of their personnel (athleticism and depth) and away from the weakness (experience). We think the OSU defense will be coached for specialists early in the year so that players don't have to absorb too much too fast, and that players will expand their roles as the season wears on. We also like very much the job that corner coach Tim Beckman and safety coach Paul Haynes have done with both young and veteran players. In particularly, Jenkins and O'Neal both played well in 2005, and much credit can be given to those two coaches for that fact.

Overall Outlook

The sky is not falling for the OSU defense. In fact, while it's not a totally sunny sky, it's just a little cloudy.

Despite the loss of all those starters, the Buckeyes have enough experience coming back to be at least steady in the early going in 2006, and should definitely improve as the season goes on. We actually think that the 2006 defense could be more of a big play defense than the 2005 one was. OSU did not produce many turnovers in 2005, but we think there are more big play type players that can be on the field in 2005, namely O'Neal, Jenkins, Mitchell and Freeman. We also think the defensive front will be strong and that will help cover up whatever deficiencies the back seven may have in the early going.

Next: We were going to cover special teams today, but decided to combine it with another aspect of the 2006 team, the possible contributions of incoming freshmen. Look for that tomorrow here on the-Ozone.
​

 

[BB73]

Not a bad write-up on the defense, but a couple of obvious errors stick out.

James Laurinaitis is the correct spelling for L'il Animal.

And 'Donald Smith' at the nickel back is apparently some combination of Donald Washington and Antonio Smith.

 

[Zurp]

Florida, the No. 1 class at Scout.com, has 27 commitments.

I thought there was some deal about only allowed 25 commitments a year? Is that right? Did Florida find a loop-hole?

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

I didn't realize we had thrown only five INTs all year. If we can keep that up this season, and cut down on fumbling, we'll be in great shape.

Aside from some glaring errors in players' names, those were decent write-ups...

 

[BB73]

I thought there was some deal about only allowed 25 commitments a year? Is that right? Did Florida find a loop-hole?

25 scholarships per year is the limit. Some of these guys must be enrolling early, and will count in the 2005 schollie count, rather than 2006.

 

[Dryden]

"The wildcard player in this mix is Mike D'Andrea, who if healthy could fill the role at rush end the Bobby Carpenter filled in 2005."

Yeah ... that's right. THE Bobby Carpenter.

 

[Dryden]

Anyone feel like starting up the "will Ginn take reps at CB this spring" argument? It wouldn't shock me if he took a few just to be available as an emergency corner.

Jim Davidson over at The O-Zone got some pictures of Ginn practicing at CB against some of the ND scout team players that OSU brought in for Fiesta Bowl preparations.