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2009 tOSU Defensive Line Discussion

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Putting it on and taking it off: The OSU defensive line will look a bit different this fall, not because there will be different faces, but because some of the members of that unit have really changed their bodies over the summer.

Defensive tackle Doug Worthington reports that he as gained some weight and now weighs in at 287 after playing at around 275 last year.

"I definitely maintained my speed," said Worthington of his size increase.

"That was first and foremost. The muscle just seemed to stay on more this year as the off-season went by and I was still running and still conditioning. It just seemed like it stayed on a little bit better."

According to Worthington, it's a different story for other members of the defensive line. Cam Heyward is down to 285 after playing in the 290 to 295 pound range last season. Defensive end Lawrence Wilson is playing at 267 to 272 after playing at closer to 280 two years ago. Fellow defensive end Thad Gibson hasn't changed his weight, but has changed his body.

"For a while the whole defensive line felt like we had to get big, had to get bulky, but now Cam has lost weight, Rob Rose lost weight, Lawrence Wilson lost weight, Thaddeus got solid, a lot of his baby fat is gone," said Worthington.

"Lawrence with his rehab is stronger than ever. He's in the 267 to 272 range and he's very happy with that."
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The-Ozone, Ohio State Football, Wrestling, Softball, Basketball, Hockey, Baseball and More
 
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Buckeyes well-stocked with speed on the edge
Sunday, August 16, 2009
By Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

OSUFOOT09_KR_66_-_08_13_2009_-_08-16-09_C1_TDEPIME.jpg

Kyle Robertson | DISPATCH
Ohio State defensive lineman Thaddeus Gibson


Watching Thaddeus Gibson and Nathan Williams go through pass-rushing drills leaves a lasting impression.

Or as fellow Ohio State defensive lineman Lawrence Wilson put it: "They come off the edge, and they come off the edge fast."

Ohio State has had a player of such caliber often; NFL first-round draft pick Vernon Gholston comes quickly to mind. But going into this season, Gibson, a junior, and Williams, a sophomore, offer OSU a threat off the edge that is just as lethal no matter which one is on the field at the Leo position.

"I tell him all the time, 'Nate, we can really be a force,' " Gibson said. "With that being said, he's buy-buy and locks in on everything the coaches tell him, just like I'm buy-buy to anything the coaches tell me.

"We're locked and loaded. We have a feeling this is going to be a big year for the defensive line, and we need everybody. If me and Nate can go out there and do it together, that's something we definitely will do."

Solomon Thomas, their fellow Leo, said Gibson and Williams are blessed with innate talents. They include a quick first step and, to use a football term, "good hips," which means they can change direction faster than the average man.

"And a lot of it is desire -- I would put them both in the category of being mean dudes on the football field," Thomas said. "When they go out there, they're not nice guys. They have an attitude about 'em and an edge to 'em."

Thomas smiled because, lest OSU fans forget, he's the one who had seven sacks in the team's jersey scrimmage in April. While Williams watched because of offseason surgery and Gibson was having a decent day, Thomas leapt into the picture.

"I think when you talk about the Leo group, Nate and Thad, I've gotta throw myself in there, too, not to be cocky at all," Thomas said. "Thaddeus Gibson does have the No. 1 spot, but we also have different packages where there are two Leos on the field, and it's really going to come down to me and Nate fighting it out there."

Don't count out Keith Wells, either. The lean, tall Georgia native also had to watch during the spring while he recovered from shoulder surgery. But he has the potential of making it a four-way tussle because he shares many of the qualities of the other three.

"Nate, Solly, Keith, Thaddeus -- they are men among boys when it comes to that speed and that strength," defensive tackle Doug Worthington said. "So it should be very interesting to see what they can do on the field this season. The competition is there, which should make them all better.

"You can see it in practice. If somebody slacks, the coaches have no problems putting somebody else in there, and not arguing or hollering at 'em to do it. It's more like, 'Get Thaddeus out and put Solly in.' Or, 'Get Nate out and put Keith in.' "
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BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : Buckeyes well-stocked with speed on the edge
 
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The reason that we may have a top 3 DL is just the incredible amount of depth and versatility. Guys get tired, come off, and more studs come in. Passing situation, you got a line of Gibson Heyward Worthington Williams...nasty.

Obviously you have to see results, but on paper I can see it.
 
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I would not be surprised to see this Defense get 50 sacks this year and set the all time season sack record. We have that much talent and speed on the outside. Throw in Heyward and Worthington up the middle and we are going to see tremendous pressure converging upon the QB.

It's going to be fun to watch...

:osu:
 
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MSURacerDT55;1517623; said:
Say's who?
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The NCAA:

2008 Sacks: 2.08 per game, tied for 50th nationally

2007 Sacks: 3.31 per game, tied for 6th nationally, but no one currently on the roster played a significant role in that number. The top 3 were
  • Vernon Gholston: 1.08 per game
  • James Laurinaitis: 0.38 per game
  • Larry Grant: 0.38 per game
Is the potential there for more production? Absolutely.
Is there an objective reason to believe it will happen. Not really. I hope it will, but I will be pleasantly surprised if we are back in the top 10 in sacks. If we are, it might be due to having linebackers who are more natural blitzers rather than any improvement in the DL.
 
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The objective reason would be that we, indeed, have the same line back. Last year's freshman and sophomores are now sophomores and juniors, etc. Plus, returning L. Wilson. I am certainly not saying we are going to see 50 sacks, but improvement over last year is certainly a reasonable expectation.
 
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