Defensive End Sam Hubbard Growing Into New Role in Buckeye Defense
Psst. Here's a flash for you. Joey Bosa is no longer with the Buckeyes.
Nor are Adolphus Washington and Tommy Schutt, and that's three of four starters off of last year's defensive line.
You knew all of that of course, but those facts raise some interesting questions, one of them really interesting.
The loss of Washington and Schutt will hurt, but it is the loss of a dominant player like Bosa that has a lot of people wondering just how good the OSU defense can be next season. You need look no further than the Fiesta Bowl to understand just how dominant he was. Prior to his ejection from the game for targeting the Notre Dame offense struggled at best. Once Bosa was gone there was a definite change in its effectiveness. That was no coincidence.
The question now becomes, "Who is the OSU coaching staff bringing along to replace Joey?" The surprising answer is "Nobody", and that comes directly from the mouth of OSU defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
"My philosophy is you don't try to replace them," said Johnson.
"You just try to find a guy to raise their game to the next level. If you can get a guy to raise the bar a little bit you're good."
Before you go ballistic in the comments area for this piece, Johnson isn't saying that the Buckeyes aren't trying to replace Bosa's production. He's saying that he's trying to do it by getting players to grow into who they are and taking their own game to the next level. In other words, don't try to be Joey. Try to be the best "you" that you can possibly be.
Enter Sam Hubbard.
Hubbard played extensively last season in OSU's pass rush package. Hubbard came in at defensive end on obvious passing situations and Bosa moved inside. It was a very effective package. Hubbard made plays, leading to speculation this spring that he is the next Joey. That's not what Johnson wants, and neither does Hubbard.
"No, I don’t want to be Joey Bosa," said Hubbard.
"He’s a great player, but I’ve got to be the best Sam Hubbard."
Entire article:
http://theozone.net/Ohio-State/Foot...bard-Growing-Into-New-Role-in-Buckeye-Defense