2013-2014 Projected Line-up

[billmac91]

Sorry if too soon, but I'm always excited to look ahead. I wanted to take a quick stab at our starting line-up in 2013-14.

We lose a lot of talent, especially defensively, and it will be interesting to see who steps in to reload.

Defensive losses *STARTERS:
John Simon - DE
Jonathon Hankins - DT (assumption he leaves)
Garret Goebel - DT
Nathan Williams - DE
Zach Boren - LB
Ettiene Sabino - LB
Travis Howard - CB

That's essentially 7 starters gone, although Boren stepped in with the loss of Sabino. A lot of production will be missed and some young pups will need to grow up quickly. My guess as to how the line-up looks come week 1 next year:

Noah Spence - LDE
Adolphus Washington - DT
Tommy Schutt - DT
Michael Bennett - RDE

Washington and Bennett are pretty debatable. We saw Washington make some nice plays against Michigan as a DE and I think he will play several positions on the line. I think Bennett uses his hands a bit more and has a solid background to handle the middle, but likely starts at strong-side end. It will be interesting to see what happens with Steve Miller and Se'von Pittman. Both should get lots of PT next year. Joel Hale will see tons of PT at DT as well.

Ryan Shazier - LB
Curtis Grant/Camren Williams/Mike Mitchell - MLB
Joshua Perry - LB

Middle linebacker is scary for sure. Does the proverbial light finally turn on for Grant, or does a redshirt freshman in Camren Williams jump over the veteran? Mike Mitchell could also come in and steal the job away. This is the least stable position for the defensive unit. Joshua Perry got the most PT of any freshman at LB and I'd expect that experience to roll over to next year. He showed glimpses, but some young guys like David Perkins and Jamal Marcus are right there as well. Hopefully some of these guys make a huge jump this off-season.

CB - Bradley Roby
SS - Christian Bryant
FS - CJ Barnett
CB - Doran Grant

Probably our most proven unit on the defensive side. I think Grant could be an upgrade at CB over Howard by years end. Better coverage instincts, IMO. I think Barnett will regain his form, people forget he was coming off of a knee tear. Christian Bryant needs to play more consistently, but the talent is there. Less knockout blows and show-boating, and more fundamental football would go a long way.

Corey "Pittsburgh" Brown will maintain his star position when we go 2 linebacker.

Offensively, we lose a lot less.

Reid Fragel - RT
Jake Stoneburner - WR/TE

I believe we will see the following starting line-up on offense:

LT - Jack Mewhort
LG - Andrew Norwell
C - Corey Linsley
RG - Marcus Hall
RT - Taylor Decker

The one caveat here being, whether Hall or Norwell leave early. I don't believe they will, but if either guard leaves, I think Mewhort slides back to guard, and Chase Farris moves to a starting tackle position. Farris began getting rave reviews from Wariner and has great size.

WR - Devin Smith
WR - Philly Brown
TE - Jeff Heuerman
TE - Nick Vannett

I think these 4 guys will be our primary starters but you can substitute the extra TE for another reciever or running back. I think that extra offesnive player is just a matter of what Meyer and company decide they are trying to attack on that down. We'll probably be in 2 TE sets as often as we see a Hyde/Hall backfield.

RB - Hyde or Hall

I believe we will see more Hyde, but a lot of duel backfield looks. I think Hall will be motioned into the backfield a lot and take the place of Philly Brown in a lot of regards. I think Philly will see less carries and more of a traditional role as receiver. It will be interesting to see how Meyer incorporates Rod Smith, Elliot, Dunn, Warren Ball, Jalin Marshall, etc. There is a lot of talent to pick from...

QB - Braxton Miller

Obvious choice here.

I believe Jalin Marshall will take over kick-off return duty while Philly keeps the primary punt returning duties.

It's a huge plus we're getting Basil back for a championship run.

Hopefully Johnny Townsend comes in handles the punting job like a vet.

Our schedule lines up very well for another run at a perfect season. Our hardest OOC game is at Cal, and they'll have a new coach and limited talent. Hopefully the new defensive starters are able to build off this years experience and put together a solid unit. Offensively, you'd expect a major improvement rolling into the second year of a new offense. Braxton needs to live in the film room this off-season. Our receivers are progressively getting better, and if they can take another step forward, we could see something special next season.

I think our offensive line will actually improve quite a bit. Depth is still a concern but Chase Farris sounds like a good one. Jacoby Boren also provides solid depth.

 

[Hodgepodge]

The one caveat here being, whether Hall or Norwell leave early. I don't believe they will, but if either guard leaves, I think Mewhort slides back to guard, and Daryl Baldwin moves to a starting tackle position. Baldwin began getting rave reviews from Wariner and has great size.

I thought it was Chase Farris getting the rave reviews rather than Baldwin?

 

[billmac91]

I thought it was Chase Farris getting the rave reviews rather than Baldwin?

You're right...I edited.

 

[Taosman]

A new punter next year? A freshman? Yikes! Maybe we won't punt much......:(

 

[LitlBuck]

Sorry if too soon, but I'm always excited to look ahead. I wanted to take a quick stab at our starting line-up in 2013-14.

We lose a lot of talent, especially defensively, and it will be interesting to see who steps in to reload.

Really an excellent post but my only question would be Roby and who would replace him if he decides to declare early. However, like Big Hank I think he would benefit greatly from another year of seasoning at the college level barring injury of course.

 

[billmac91]

Really an excellent post but my only question would be Roby and who would replace him if he decides to declare early. However, like Big Hank I think he would benefit greatly from another year of seasoning at the college level barring injury of course.

I think it's a safe bet Roby returns....he can elevate himself to the #1 corner in the country next year and make top 10 money. Right now he is a late first to second round pick behind guys like Milliner and Xavier Rhodes.

Roby will also have an opportunity to get involved in kick-off returns and showcase his explosiveness next year.

If he were to leave however, Armani Reeves would have to be the hands on favorite to start opposite of Doran Grant. Adam Griffin, Eli Woodard, and Cam Burrows would be next on deck after that.

 

[LitlBuck]

I think it's a safe bet Roby returns....he can elevate himself to the #1 corner in the country next year and make top 10 money. Right now he is a late first to second round pick behind guys like Milliner and Xavier Rhodes.

Roby will also have an opportunity to get involved in kick-off returns and showcase his explosiveness next year.

If he were to leave however, Armani Reeves would have to be the hands on favorite to start opposite of Doran Grant. Adam Griffin, Eli Woodard, and Cam Burrows would be next on deck after that.

I sure hope he stays also because if he leaves that will be a depth challenge for sure.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

Great list. If there's one thing to nitpick, I guess I would have Marshall playing a much more prominent role as a playmaker, one of those players that can make people miss. A name that may sound familiar, Stefon Diggs, had close to 1000 yds in total offense this year for a bad MD team, so FR can definitely make an impact.

 

[HilmerJ]

I really think Jalin Marshall is the guy this offense is really looking for...that X factor...he could really help losen things up

Its crazy to think that we got all of these kids coming in, and we still have 6 or 7 more impact recruits before february...it will be fun to pencil them in places

all in all, i think the recruits that come in will be a year and half behind in Mariotti's S&C program, and if you are a freshman, you are not going to just come in and take a starting spot on a 12-0...these kids are have a fighting mentality, and they are not gonna lose their spot to a freshmen..

i think next year we will be right back at it again like Ohio State Football always is...clearly we are the class of the big ten, we are the 1% and the rest of the big ten is the 99%...our biggest problem is not being tested enough with our conference foes, concerns are not of the regular season, but of the post season, in 2013 if the Buckeyes are going to win the BCS natty champship...they are going to have to show up and beat a really good team.not gonna be USC, as urban said...they dont have an "edge"..hell, it may be alabama/lsu/or florida...we are going to have to play the best game of the urban era

BRING IT ON

 

[ohiojpaz]

I like it. I would agree with you with the linebackers but I think Mike Mitchell is more of a SLB instead of a Mike (Ironic.) Trey Johnson just decommitted from Auburn yesterday and I think he would have an opportunity to compete with Grant and Williams for that MLB spot as well. It is kind of scary though to think that two true Frosh could be starting at LB on our defense next season.

I also think Marshall will make a huge impact offensively next season along with Marcus Baugh.

Here is what I have as well

QB- Braxton Miller #5, Kenny Guiton #13
RB- Carlos Hyde #34, Jordan Hal l#7/Rod Smith #2
WR- Philly Brown #10, Evan Spencer #6
WR- Devin Smith #15, Michael Thomas #83
WR- Jalin Marshall , Christ Fields #80/Verlon Reed #8
TE- Jeff Heurman #86/Nick Vannett #81, Marcus Baugh
LT- Jack Mewhort #74, Darryl Baldwin #76
LG- Andrew Norwell #78, Antonio Underwood #73
C- Corey Linsley #71, Jacoby Boren #50
RG- Marcus Hall #79, Chase Farris #57
RT- Taylor Decker #68, Evan Lisle

LEO- Noah Spence #8, Steve Miller #88
DT- Adolphus Washington #92, Se?Von Pittman #95
NT- Tommy Schutt #90, Joel Hale #50
RE- Michael Bennett #63, Joey Bosa
SLB- Michael Mitchell, Josh Perry #37
MLB- Curtis Grant #14 Cameren Williams #5
WLB- Ryan Shazier #10, David Perkins #21
CB- Bradley Roby #1, Adam Griffin #9
CB- Doran Grant #12, Eli Woodard /Cam Burrows
FS- CJ Barnett #4, Corey Brown #3
SS Christian Bryan #2, Devan Bogard #30


K- Drew Basil #24
P- Johnny Townsend

P Ret- Philly Brown #10, Devin Smith #15
K Ret- Rod Smith #2, Bradley Roby #1

 

[LitlBuck]

I like it. I would agree with you with the linebackers but I think Mike Mitchell is more of a SLB instead of a Mike (Ironic.) Trey Johnson just decommitted from Auburn yesterday and I think he would have an opportunity to compete with Grant and Williams for that MLB spot as well. It is kind of scary though to think that two true Frosh could be starting at LB on our defense next season.

I also think Marshall will make a huge impact offensively next season along with Marcus Baugh.

There are guys much more knowledgeable than me about possible recruits but if Mitchell does decide to come here what I have read it in the recruiting forum is that he projects more as a MLB rather than a SLB.

I also have a hard time taking that Marshall is going to leap frog an upperclassman for a starting position. Now maybe if a 5*WR decides to commit that might be a different story.

 

[ohiojpaz]

I have Marshall listed there as a Freshman because he has the most potential to play the "Percy Harvin" position of anyone on the team. Even though there was a drastic improvement in our WR's from last season to this season we still didn't have a player who could catch the ball in space, make people miss and take it to the house. Meyer even called Brown out on that during the season. Brown is a great possession receiver who can move the chains but watching video of Marshall with the football you can just tell he is a game breaker.

 

[RB07OSU]

My very early projection for next years depth chart:

Offense​

QB: Braxton Miller, Kenny Guiton, Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett

RB: Carlos Hyde, Rod Smith (occasionally J. Hall), Brionte Dunn, Warren Ball, Ezekiel Elliott

FB: Probably just go 2-back sets or rotate TE's in the backfield like Vannett

WR: Devin Smith, Michael Thomas, James Quick(?), Frank Epitropoulus

WR: Philly Brown, Evan Spencer, Taivon Jacobs

Slot WR: Jordan Hall, Jalin Marshall, Chris Fields, Verlon Reed

TE: Nick Vannett or Jeff Heuerman, Marcus Baugh, Blake Thomas

LT: Jack Mewhort, Darryl Baldwin

LG: Andrew Norwell, Joey O'Connor, Antonio Underwood, Tommy Brown, Tim Gardner

C: Corey Linsley, Jacoby Boren

RG: Marcus Hall, Chase Farris, Billy Price, Pat Elflein

RT: Taylor Decker, Kyle Dodson, Evan Lisle (I think Farris can play here too, or LT)

Defense​

WDE/LEO: Noah Spence, Steve Miller, J.T. Moore, Tyquan Lewis

DT: (3 -tech): Adolphus Washington, Joel Hale, Tracy Sprinkle

DT: (1-tech): Hank (?), Tommy Schutt, Chris Carter, Michael Hill

SDE: Michael Bennett, Joey Bosa, Se'Von Pittman

OLB: Ryan Shazier, David Perkins, Trey Johnson (?), Luke Roberts, Darron Lee

MLB: Curtis Grant, Mike Mitchell (?), Connor Crowell

OLB: Josh Perry, Jamal Marcus, Camren Williams, Chris Worley (?)

CB: Bradley Roby(?), Najee Murray, Tyvis Powell, Gareon Conley(?)

CB: Doran Grant, Armani Reaves, Eli Woodard, Adam Griffin

S: C.J. Barnett, Cameron Burrows, Jayme Thompson

S: Christian Bryant, Corey Brown, Devan Boggard, Ron Tanner

Special Teams​

K: Drew Basil​

P: Johnny Townsend (curious if Epitropoulus gets a shot at punting)​

KR: Rod Smith, Bradley Roby, Jalin Marshall​

PR: Philly Brown, Bradley Roby​

LS: Bryce Haynes, George Makridis​

- Freshman who I could see shaking things up:
1) Jalin Marshall: I think he is perfect for the Harvin type role. I see him getting quick screens, handoffs, and short routes. He will be very, very raw at WR since he has played QB his whole life but his athleticism will be utilized to the extent that it can be. I could see him returning kicks too.

2) Joey Bosa: Although we already have lots of young talent, Bosa is a very intelligent player who will pick up the scheme quickly, he is meaner than snot and competes like Urban wants a player to, and has all the physical ability in the world. I see him getting PT at the very least in our rotation.

3) Mike Mitchell: Although he hasn't committed, I expect him to soon. We need help at LB and Mitchell has both the football intellect that comes with his football pedigree, on top of ungodly athleticism and physical build. It isn't often you see a 6'4 225 lb. MIKE run a laser-timed sub 4.3 forty and also has the football smarts to go with it. Hits like a ton of bricks and is a flat out competitor. I expect him to either push Grant to be better or take the job. At the very least he will be a wrecking ball on special teams.

4) Cameron Burrows: Could just as easily be Eli Woodard but I see us needing more immediate help at safety or the Star. I think Burrows will fit that role quite nicely and push for PT with his immense talent.

5) Johnny Townsend: More of an obvious pick, as it seems he will be our punter next year. At least he is an Army All-American with a HUGE leg.

6) Ezekiel Elliott: Shot in the dark here but the kid can flat out play. I'm thinking the staff might find some ways to get him the ball, either running it or in the passing attack.​

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Price will be a DT...

 

[RB07OSU]

Price will be a DT...

I keep seeing you say that and I cannot claim to have inside knowledge, but if you do please elaborate. Otherwise, many people and I think Price is better equipped at guard. I think he can be a good DT or a great guard.