How Does Ryan Shazier Compare to Other Great tOSU LB's?

[cincibuck]

Shazier, to me, is more Bobby Carpenter than AJ Hawk. If OSU fielded a better LB corps this season, I'm not sure he would have stood out as much as he did.

Or, maybe he would have stood out more because he wouldn't have had to shoulder so much of the responsibility. There were times this year when he was the only LB in the right position, especially in covering bubble and short routes. Speaking of bubbles, he played on the bubble all season. IMO a safety forced to play LB.

 

[BuckeyeFan 52]

Yeah - FWIW I think had the LB corps been deeper (in 2004-2005 he would have been a Strong Safety or STAR probably) I do think his contributions would have been different and maybe his legacy would have been stronger.

I agree. The depth that we've grown accustomed to (2004-2005 as you mentioned is a great example) just isn't there right now, plus offenses have changed dramatically, so comparing a Katzenmoyer to a Shazier isn't entirely fair. Ryan had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders and handled it like a man, as a fan, I'll always appreciate him for that.

 

[Woody1968]

I don't even know if he would be in the top 20 that I have seen here. That's no insult. tOSU has had some pretty good LBs

 

[Muck]

Going just by the names on the list I'd put Shazier at 10-12. Maybe...maybe....ahead of Wilhelm and (even more borderline) possibly Diggs.

 

[AKAK]

Going just by the names on the list I'd put Shazier at 10-12. Maybe...maybe....ahead of Wilhelm and (even more borderline) possibly Diggs.

My feeling is that he was very similar to Diggs initially, though, Diggs was a guy, IMO who would have benefitted by staying another year in school, at least as far as draft position, and as such we might have a different take on his Buckeye Career. Certainly Shazier has done quite a bit here. Its tough, I feel like he's more talented than Wihelm athletically, but they're different types of players. Great list though, really good football player having trouble cracking the top 12. Not bad.

 

[NFBuck]

Randy Gradishar was A.J. Hawk before A.J. Hawk was even an idea. He was in another league, playing on a different level from anybody else around him. Plus, he's one helluva nice guy, and I've had the pleasure of meeting and talking to him a few times out here in Colorado.

Shazier, unfortunately, will never be viewed in the same light as many of the other guys on this list because he played on the worst tOSU defenses I can remember. I think it can be said he didn't receive the coaching some of those guys benefitted from, nor did he have the supporting cast. Talent wise, he's among the best. But for all the big stats, he doesn't have a lot of signature plays that stick out, nor did he take over some big games like the others. He WAS fun to watch though. Just a heat-seeking missile out there who could have used some better discipline/instincts.

 

[Onebuckfan]

Randy Gradishar was the 2nd best Buckeye defender of my lifetime. Jack Tatum #1, Chris Spielman 3 and Big Kat 4

 

[cincibuck]

I put only the All Americans on the list, beginning with Gradishar (1972). I ignored earlier All Americans (like Ike Kelley, 1964-65) because I never saw them play.

BTW, Kumerow entered Ohio State as a quarterback (hence his jersey number 14) and was drafted as a defensive end.

Ike Kelly was one mean sumbitch, but he played in the 'single platoon" era (1953 - 1963) and Ohio State played an Oklahoma defense - 5-2-4 with no middle linebacker, the linebackers usually lined up opposite the end-tackle gap, the blitz was seldom used on defense.

 

[kujirakira]

This is difficult b/c in a lot of those 70s to 90s teams, Shazier may well have been a Safety.
In one sense it'd be easier to rate him on a list of back-7 defenders... on the other hand, that list would be enormous and he may well be outside the top-30.