DT Depth and Recruiting (Split from Barksdale)

[RB07OSU]

For the past year, Barksdale's recruitment has been a complete circus. Does anyone expect that to change once he actually selects a school? Does anyone really want that act in Columbus?

Michigan dropped him, Texas dropped him, Notre Dame dropped him ... despite the five-star talent. Next....

You raise a great point...he has strung a lot of schools on pretty bad. Great talent and I thought he was just enjoying the process but he took it a step too far. He told OSU coaches he would be a Buckeye not once, but twice...if he goes back on his word twice, that is flat out ridiculous. I apologize for getting off topic but now I really believe we will have to offer another DT just due to numbers. Yes we have people that could possibly move down to DT but sometimes players just don't make the transition from one position to another right away or ever. So yes Barrow, Dublin, Rose, and Worthington all COULD move down to DT but there is no gurantee that any of them will do well there. As I said earlier, Dublin played DT his senior year and even admitted to having a horrible year there because he was out of position. So that's why I have a concern about getting just 1 true DT in '06 and '07. Like I said, it may not hurt us now but I think it will really hurt down the road if we can't get at least 1 DT this year.

 

[craigblitz]

Looking at next years depth of all DL

96 Juan Garnier - I don't know much about him... Walk on though
91 Ryan Williams - DE with a knee injury. Played a little this year
92 Brett Daly - Know nothing about him
92 Todd Denlinger - Going to be really good at DT IMO
93 Nader Abdallah - Time to step up.. so far disappointment
94 Walter Dublin - Some say could move down... other say LEO at best
87 Lawrence Wilson - I think he stays at DE. Kind of played below expectations this season
84 Doug Worthington - Could move down. Took some snaps at DT this year
78 Alex Barrow - Same as above
72 Dexter Larimore - Coaches are high on him
50 Vernon Gholston - DE all the way
6 Robert Rose - Soem say can move down, but think he is great at current position

So For sure DT's we have
96 Juan Garnier
92 Brett Daly
92 Todd Denlinger
93 Nader Abdallah
72 Dexter Larimore

Out of this group I am pretty confident in Dex and Todd

Could be DT
94 Walter Dublin
87 Lawrence Wilson
84 Doug Worthington
78 Alex Barrow
6 Robert Rose

I can see Worthington as being the best bet here. If Dublin is up to 270, I guess he could be as well

Things to keep in mind as grad pointed out, it is very hard to project lineman and it takes a while to get them sized up and will usually miss on several players before getting a person who can contribute. So we might have some players to work with, but I am still concerned that we are not getting young players to develop, but I trust the coaches more then I worry so GO BUCKS!

 

[TheStoicPaisano]

At this time last year, I'm sure most of us didn't really count Antonio Smith as a DB either. Check him out now. Started at CB opposite Jenkins, was All-Big Ten, and was a Thorpe Award finalist this past year. Not bad for a walk-on.

I agree with Nut. Be easy, homie. The kid has 8-9 months here to prove he's worthy of seeing the field.

With all due respect, Smith was winning letters on special teams as a sophomore while Garnier was working as a bouncer and figuring out what to do with himself. Juan isn't on the FG units and has played in two games in as many years. I think there's a bit of difference.

 

[Buckeye86]

87 Lawrence Wilson - I think he stays at DE. Kind of played below expectations this season

in his defense I'm pretty sure he wasn't 100% for the first half of the season or so and was just getting back into the rotation in the last few games, I fully expect him to be the starter at DE along with Gholston next year

 

[osugrad21]

Ok, here is how I see it...DE-types can usually play DT. Not vice versa. Also, some HS LBs outgrow the 2nd level and some HS DBs outgrow level 3. However, a DT is stuck in a single position...that is why you see a lack of what we outsiders term a "true" DT. Look at the recruiting and you will see a pattern with this staff. The recruiting categories are absolutely true and make things like this perceived shortage actually make sense. If we end up with Solomon Thomas, Ben Martin, or Devon Still...you are looking at guys who look like pure DEs right now. However, one or more may grow into playing inside.

I have a D-1 recruit right now that is blowing up before my eyes...he has dreams of being a SS in college but if he keeps putting on the weight, he is destined for SAM. You can't tell what a 17 yr old body will do...especially once you sit them down with a college S&C program and training table.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

Everybody has made good points so far. Here's my two cents:

1). DT is not a position that you want to mess with. Having a solid defense starts in the interior defensive line. As witnessed by this season, even though we had some very young players in our back seven, having two excellent tackles compensated all of that and more. Without rocks in the interior DL, it's very difficult to be a great or even good defense.

2). We lose our top three DTs after this season, the guys we recruit for this class weren't really going to make a difference next season either way, but their recruitment is crucial for the year after and beyond. If we end up with one DT recruit over the past two years, it's going to hurt, maybe not next year, but somewhere down the road.

3). We will have to count on unproven commodities next season regardless of who we recruit this year. It'll be up to Denlinger, Worthington, Larimore and maybe a couple of others to hold the fort there. And in my opinion, we will struggle somewhat there, because let's not forget, even the great Quinn Pitcock wasn't what he is now his sophomore year.

4). Heacock is a great coach, no doubt. But he's got to have bodies to work with. The defensive line is as much about talent as it is about depth. Expecting any coach to coach up everybody is a little too much IMO.

I know I come across as being negative, but I still have faith that our coaches will somehow put together good defenses. It's just that it would have been a lot easier with a few more bodies.

 

[808 Buck]

DL/OL are the most difficult positions to project. That projection relies heavily on coaching for development and system for success...Jim Heacock is a great one in both areas.

Good God Almighty, an intelligent discussion of football found on the recruiting board, of all places. It's great to have the 5 star studs, but I am of the belief that interior D-Linemen are developed over time. As the above quote states, great coaching and proper use of the guys that you have available, may overcome a perceived shortage of "pure physical talent." Here's a couple of other random thoughts: (1) I'll argue that the speed and strength staff will positively impact this position, and (2) don't be surprised to see a package involving LB's walking up to the line of scrimmage and DE's slanting/stunting inside. Heacock will make the most of what he has available to him. I'm a little surprised at how the DL recruiting has gone this year, but that's life. I'm also confident that those who run the show, from the head guy to the coordinator/position coach to the player development people, know what the heck (no swearing on the recruiting board ), they are doing.

 

[osugrad21]

Good God Almighty, an intelligent discussion of football found on the recruiting board, of all places. It's great to have the 5 star studs, but I am of the belief that interior D-Linemen are developed over time. As the above quote states, great coaching and proper use of the guys that you have available, may overcome a perceived shortage of "pure physical talent." Here's a couple of other random thoughts: (1) I'll argue that the speed and strength staff will positively impact this position, and (2) don't be surprised to see a package involving LB's walking up to the line of scrimmage and DE's slanting/stunting inside. Heacock will make the most of what he has available to him. I'm a little surprised at how the DL recruiting has gone this year, but that's life. I'm also confident that those who run the show, from the head guy to the coordinator/position coach to the player development people, know what the heck (no swearing on the recruiting board ), they are doing.

...and as you know, the DL can play according to the strengths of the LBs. Last year, tOSU just needed gapstoppers...grab onto OL and keep them off of the incredible LB talent. This year, the DL had less of a leash in terms of penetration and disruption due to the LBs not being as strong. As the year went on, we saw a great progression in both units working to becoming one unit. That is why the coaching should ease most concerns...

 

[RB07OSU]

Well there are a lot of good points being brought up but even so I am a bit concerned. Very good point Tresselbeliever saying that nobody was likely to step in and be a stud immediately anyways, though I do think JB could have had an immediate impact. Now I do still think that down the line we may end up hurting from these 2 last years in the middle. The only real DT from '06 and '07 is Larimore and the only other possibilities seem to be Rose(who I think stays at DE but that's just my 2 cents) and maybe Dublin (who is still at LEO I believe). One other point that I haven't brought up though is Still, Heyward, and the huge DL from Florida...we still have a shot at those guys and I see all of those guys as DT's(maybe Davis at DT). So we still have a shot at getting somebody who appears more likely to slide down to DT.

 

[osugrad21]

Well there are a lot of good points being brought up but even so I am a bit concerned. Very good point Tresselbeliever saying that nobody was likely to step in and be a stud immediately anyways, though I do think JB could have had an immediate impact. Now I do still think that down the line we may end up hurting from these 2 last years in the middle. The only real DT from '06 and '07 is Larimore and the only other possibilities seem to be Rose(who I think stays at DE but that's just my 2 cents) and maybe Dublin (who is still at LEO I believe). One other point that I haven't brought up though is Still, Heyward, and the huge DL from Florida...we still have a shot at those guys and I see all of those guys as DT's(maybe Davis at DT). So we still have a shot at getting somebody who appears more likely to slide down to DT.

Interior DL is tough to step into and have an immediate "impact"...I would suggest being in the rotation and controlling a gap is adequate for a 1st year college player.

If you are counting on a freshman wildcard to provide an impact, we are really in trouble.

DTs can be built...I promise you. Recruit the athletes and get the best 4 on the field...

 

[OSUBucks22]

DT depth won't look so bad for next year when (not if) Robert Rose moves down there full-time, and if (not when) the light goes on for Nader Abdallah. I think Nader is a big time key to our DT success. He is gifted athletically, and if he can put it together can provide big-time depth for us...
I've seen too many guys have the light go on late in their career (especially under JT and Heacock) to count Nader out...

 

[BGriffBuckeye]

...like Jay Richardson...

 

[OSUBucks22]

...like Jay Richardson...

Exactly... Or Marcus Green...

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

That's one reason I'm worried, we don't have those fifth year senior DTs on the team. We got Denlinger and Worthington, two redshirt sophomores, with Worthington introduced to the position just this season. And we have a redshirt freshman, Larimore. Abdallah has the athletic ability, but what we've heard about his progression from sources have not been good. And the fact that Worthington immediately jumped him after having been introduced to the position does not speak well for his prospects. Rose is too explosive off the edge, and he looks like a LBer with that frame. Plus one of the things that has been said about him is that he is not tough enough against the run. The rotation at DE next season is going to be Gholston, Wilson and Rose. If we move Rose and/or Wilson to DT, who's going to start and contribute depth at DE?

 

[OSUBucks22]

That's one reason I'm worried, we don't have those fifth year senior DTs on the team. We got Denlinger and Worthington, two redshirt sophomores, with Worthington introduced to the position just this season. And we have a redshirt freshman, Larimore. Abdallah has the athletic ability, but what we've heard about his progression from sources have not been good. And the fact that Worthington immediately jumped him after having been introduced to the position does not speak well for his prospects. Rose is too explosive off the edge, and he looks like a LBer with that frame. Plus one of the things that has been said about him is that he is not tough enough against the run. The rotation at DE next season is going to be Gholston, Wilson and Rose. If we move Rose and/or Wilson to DT, who's going to start and contribute depth at DE?

DT's will be Denlinger, Worthington, Rose, Larimore, and Abdallah
DE's will be Wilson, Gholston, Barrow, Ryan Williams, Walter Dublin, and Ben Martin (if/when he commits)
You could see Rose play a Darrion Scott-type role as well... Move all around the line, sometimes inside, sometimes out... Wilson could do that as well...
Nothing wrong with that D-Line depth, but we HAVE to get some new blood in next year... And we are FAR from dead with Cameron Heyward this year also... And I don't care what anyone says, Jeremiah is still an option if he gets himself qualified...