2018 tOSU Defense Discussion

[scarletngray]

Alright, I'll take a quick, way too early shot at the defensive depth chart:

DE: Nick Bosa, Jashon Cornell, Tyler Friday (no surprises here)
DE: Chase Young, Jonathan Cooper, Tyreke Smith (think Young gets the nod but expect to see a ton of Cooper)
DT: Dre'Mont Jones, Antwuan Jackson, Davon Hamilton (past Jones, I think you see heavy rotations, especially since Bosa and Cornell could be sliding down...I put Togiai up there high, as it sounds like he is blowing the staff away and is college ready, so just think he pushes his way up the depth chart...Jackson just has a world of talent and brings another dimension in if he is the same player he was on film...Landers and Hamilton will play plenty with their experience, and Garrett is coming along nice...really deep position here and it will be interesting to see who makes moves this summer...also, will Malik Barrow be healthy? )
DT: Robert Landers, Tommy Togiai, Haskell Garrett (see analysis above)
OLB: Malik Harrison, Keandre Jones, Dallas Gant (I could see Harrison and Jones both playing a lot...Gant got in early and impressed)
OLB: Dante Booker, Pete Werner, Justin Hilliard (Hilliard is a huge wildcard, as is Booker...both could be starters if healthy, or at the bottom of the depth chart if not...Werner is going to play, staff loves him)
MLB: Barron Browning, Tuf Borland, Terjada Mitchell (only giving Browning the nod because Borland is hurt, although there could be some catching up for Borland to do if everything clicks for Browning with his talent...Mitchell is very smart and a college-ready player, could see him getting on the field potentially)
CB: Kendall Sheffield, Shaun Wade, Marcus Williamson (think Sheffield runs away with a starting spot and plays well...really see Wade playing a significant role this year despite the logjam at CB...Williamson REALLY impressed me in the spring game, he is a true cover corner and great instincts)
CB: Damon Arnette, Jeffrey Okudah, Tyreke Johnson (I would put a giant OR between Arnette and Okudah, as I think Okudah could overtake this spot or end up playing more even if Arnette is listed as the starter...Tyreke Johnson is a flat out freak that might get out there with his early enrollment)
S: Isiah Pryor, Amir Riep, Josh Proctor (big toss up and huge camp battle...loved what I have seen from both, but Riep might be the better cover guy and Pryor is an enforcer...could very well see both out there rotating depending on who we are playing...Proctor at least plays on special teams imo)
S: Jordan Fuller, Brendon White, Jashen Wint (Fuller has a spot locked up, no idea how White and Wint have been doing)

Great analysis!! Methinks that with Tuf being out that Hilliard plays MLB behind or in front of Browning. I see a lot of rotation between the first team of Harrison/Browning/Booker and the second team of Jones/Hilliard/Werner. I think that these guys will be a pleasant surprise for us this year!

 

[ScriptOhio]

PREVIEW: OHIO STATE TRIO AMONG THE BEST IN WHAT SHOULD BE THE NATION'S STRONGEST POSITION GROUP

Ohio State's defensive line took a big hit following the 2017 season as four key contributors saw their time in Columbus come to an end. In most instances, the loss of players like Tyquan Lewis, Jalyn Holmes, Sam Hubbard, and Tracy Sprinkle would cause some major concern in the trenches.

Replacing four linemen – three of whom were selected in the first four rounds of the NFL Draft – could be a major headache heading into a new season. But that's not the case for Larry Johnson as the Buckeyes prepare for the Sept. 1 kickoff against Oregon State.

Nick Bosa is back and – now a full-time player – will be the headliner in what is expected to be his final season before potentially being a top-five Draft pick. Dre'Mont Jones' decision to stick around for his redshirt junior year was a nice bit of good news, and Chase Young should become a household name this fall.

Ohio State's defense still has some questions at linebacker and the safety spot opposite Jordan Fuller, and the next four weeks will be critical for players like Justin Hilliard, Baron Browning, and Isaiah Pryor. Despite the departures, the defensive line remains in great hands with Bosa, Jones, Young, a disruptive Robert Landers, and plenty others.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/coll...hould-be-the-nations-strongest-position-group

 

[ScriptOhio]

WITH TWO 2017 STARTING LINEBACKERS DEPARTED AND ANOTHER RECOVERING FROM INJURY, OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND

Nearly one full week into fall camp, numerous position battles continue to play out and with that, a lot of eyes are on the linebackers where Greg Schiano and Billy Davis look to replace two starters from last season while also finding a third to potentially fill in for Tuf Borland as he rehabilitates an Achilles injury suffered in spring drills.

Last year's team leader in tackles with 72, Jerome Baker, parlayed a strong season in which he also tallied 8.0 TFL into a third round selection by the Miami Dolphins in the NFL Draft.

Fellow outside linebacker Chris Worley posted 56 stops a season ago, along with 5.0 TFL, and while that wasn't good enough to get drafted he did sign a free agent deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Finally, Borland, who logged nine starts last season including the final five games, tallied 58 tackles to place fourth on the team, showing a nose for the ball in run support. Though Borland was seen participating in practice this past Tuesday, it still might be a bit of a stretch to think he'll be ready for the season opener against Oregon State. That's not to say he won't be – just that even if he is, it might be wise to bring him along slowly since the first two opponents look to be layups.

Replacing all those tackles from Baker and Worley definitively, along with maybe Borland for a spell, would appear a tall task for any team though of course Ohio State isn't hurting for former blue chips to evaluate and a few even have a good bit of game experience to fall back on.

Of further note is the notion Davis has suggested his two outside linebacker positions are essentially interchangeable from a schematic standpoint and the Buckeyes often feature just two linebackers pending down and distance.

In fact, junior outside linebacker Malik Harrison saw a lot of time last year when Ohio State deployed its nickel package, logging nearly 500 plays in total. Harrison even started one game, the blowout of Michigan State, and responded with a career-high six tackles. The Walnut Ridge product seems a shoe-in to start this year though the staff refused to definitively acknowledge that reality post-spring.

Behind Harrison, it looks like redshirt senior Dante Booker is the most likely name and while he didn't play down the stretch he did log 31 stops last season as part of an injury-riddled career-to-date.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...-opportunities-abound-for-last-years-reserves

 

[scarletngray]

I really love the depth and talent we have in the middle of the DL. Jones and Landers will be a special tandem. Both can disrupt and penetrate. They will only be better this year. Hamilton showed flashes of the same last year. Jackson and Garrett should both contribute. And Togia can absolutely collapse the middle. If an OL over compensates by focusing too much on Bosa and Young on the outside, they are going to have a rude awakening up the middle.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Isaiah Prince on OSU Defensive Ends: ‘There’s never gonna be a drop off’

Three former Ohio State defensive ends will likely be making their NFL debuts this month. Sam Hubbard made his preseason debut Thursday night, and Tyquan Lewis and Jalyn Holmes should be following suit soon as well.

Losing three NFL defensive ends isn’t something that a team can just brush off. At least not normally.

Ohio State, however, might be one of those few teams that can overcome such a loss because of who still remains.

Everyone knows about Nick Bosa. He was the 2017 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and a First-Team All-American. He was as dominant a defensive end as there was in the nation a year ago as a sophomore.

Now a junior, expectations are even higher for Bosa, and for good reason.

But one man cannot replace three. Not even a Bosa.

The Buckeyes like their chances not just because of Bosa, but also because of sophomore Chase Young and junior Jonathon Cooper.

Both Cooper and Young played last season, but when the games were in doubt, the two of them were generally watching Bosa, Hubbard, Holmes, and Lewis get the job done.

This year, however, defensive line coach Larry Johnson is relying on Young and Cooper, and has fully implemented them into this Ohio State defense.

As one of the guys tasked with keeping them from getting to the quarterback in practice, Ohio State senior right tackle Isaiah Prince has very little doubt about what the Buckeyes are going to get from their new pass rushers.

“Chase is an extremely hard worker,” Prince said. “He comes in and he grinds every day to be the best. He’s actually my workout partner during the week. So I see it first hand. Chase is the real deal. He’s going to come out and give you his best efforts every single time. I think he’s a great player.”

Entire article: https://theozone.net/2018/08/isaiah-prince-defensive-ends-drop/

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[ScriptOhio]

SKULL SESSION: DRE'MONT JONES AND NICK BOSA GRADE OUT NATION'S BEST, JEREMY RUCKERT IMPRESSES AND GAREON CONLEY'S COMEBACK

GOOD LUCK BLOCKING THIS. It's not even the start of the season yet and I'm already in awe of Ohio State's defensive line talent a season after the Buckeyes sent four players to The League.

Every stat I read, it seems more and more ridiculous. Like this one:



The Buckeyes lost three starters on defensive line the the NFL – Sam Hubbard, Tyquan Lewis and Tracy Sprinkle – yet return the best interior and edge pass rushers in the nation. That shouldn't be possible.

I'm well aware that Clemson's got four beasts from Norse mythology playing on its defensive line for third-straight season, but Ohio State's got the two best pass rusher at their position, the quickest, most disruptive interior linemen in the country, and Predator from the movie Predator. It's tough to complain about that.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/skul...r-parris-campbell-gareon-conley-return-injury

 

[scarletngray]

Happy to see Arnette get some recognition by being selected to the 2nd Team All American team. I am very high on Ohkuda but I think some people are sleeping to much on Arnette.

 

[billmac91]

Happy to see Arnette get some recognition by being selected to the 2nd Team All American team. I am very high on Ohkuda but I think some people are sleeping to much on Arnette.

Okudah is flat special.......Arnette has earned the praise with more experience on the field.....But my goodness....Okudah, kid is a freak.

Different skill sets and positions though. I think Arnette will play a lot of nickel corner while Okudah will play boundary.

Our secondary is insanely athletic this year though. Most athletic secondary I can ever remember at OSU. Might not be the best, but most athletic, I’ve seen. These dudes are off the chart.......

 

[bukIpower]

Happy to see Arnette get some recognition by being selected to the 2nd Team All American team. I am very high on Ohkuda but I think some people are sleeping to much on Arnette.

Honestly i loved his play last year sans the first two weeks.

He is big, he can run, and he got better as the year went. Personally I would've liked to see him put on 10 pounds and move to safety. Especially with Okudah and Wade ready to go

 

[MGMT]

Happy to see Arnette get some recognition by being selected to the 2nd Team All American team. I am very high on Ohkuda but I think some people are sleeping to much on Arnette.

Arnette was inconsistent and got straight abused at times last year. I’m of the opinion that his criticisms (within reason) are warranted. Guy’s like Wade and Okudah — whom have superior physical talent — in my opinion are going to keep banging on the door.

 

[RugbyBuck]

When you're discussing whether/that a 2nd Team Pre-season All American is going to get passed on your depth chart, yes, it's a good time to be a Buckeye.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I watched good portions of all the games last season over the weekend and my single biggest concern headed into 2018 is with the LB group.

They are unbelievably bad at covering TE's and backs off of play action.

Keeping things in perspective, not many teams are going to be able to beat a team like OSU on a long field just chipping away with that kind of attack. Then again, Iowa did happen and several teams in the B1G, most especially tsun, run that exact type of offense.

Nothing new to anyone at this point I know. Just putting my thoughts out there as we roll into '18.

This team is loaded but the LB's scare me.

 

[Jagdaddy]

I watched good portions of all the games last season over the weekend and my single biggest concern headed into 2018 is with the LB group.

They are unbelievably bad at covering TE's and backs off of play action.

Keeping things in perspective, not many teams are going to be able to beat a team like OSU on a long field just chipping away with that kind of attack. Then again, Iowa did happen and several teams in the B1G, most especially tsun, run that exact type of offense.

Nothing new to anyone at this point I know. Just putting my thoughts out there as we roll into '18.

This team is loaded but the LB's scare me.

Yes, Urban's last remaining lazy "I settled for mediocrity to get my good ole buddy paid" hire concerns me. If Fickell was still coaching them, I'd have zero concerns.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I watched good portions of all the games last season over the weekend and my single biggest concern headed into 2018 is with the LB group.

They are unbelievably bad at covering TE's and backs off of play action.

Keeping things in perspective, not many teams are going to be able to beat a team like OSU on a long field just chipping away with that kind of attack. Then again, Iowa did happen and several teams in the B1G, most especially tsun, run that exact type of offense.

Nothing new to anyone at this point I know. Just putting my thoughts out there as we roll into '18.

This team is loaded but the LB's scare me.

Agreed. They did appear better prepared for the final 2 pro style offenses they faced in wiscy and usc so that may be reason for optimism. Still not thrilled with the Bill Davis hire