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LB Ryan Shazier (All B1G, All-American, 2017 Pro Bowl)

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These look badass

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Potential to production
Buckeyes LB Ryan Shazier is stronger and smarter after his emergence late in 2011
Updated: August 9, 2012
By Austin Ward | BuckeyeNation

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The tapes from the last three games look like a highlight reel. It's a glimpse into the future, a freshman getting a chance to start late in the season and responding by going on the kind of tackling tear that can only raise expectations.

Or those same tapes can look like an instructional video. It's a chance to reflect on the errors of youth, the plays that weren't made and the assignments that were missed by a player still early in the learning process.

It all depends on the perspective. And when Ryan Shazier reflects now on his emergence late last season and rewinds those films, the Ohio State linebacker is watching with a critical eye rather than patting himself on the back.

"I really can see a lot of mistakes I made," Shazier said after practice Tuesday. "Even when I was watching the Florida and the Penn State games, I see a lot of gaps I should have filled, a lot of tackles I missed and everything when I look back it."

Considering that Shazier made 33 tackles over the final three games after he was inserted into the starting lineup, it might be hard to imagine there were many plays he didn't make as an injury replacement down the stretch.

Maybe the sophomore simply grades himself tough, or maybe he was simply able to cover up a few mistakes thanks to his natural athleticism. But either way there was still room to grow for Shazier in the offseason, and the way he wrapped up his freshman campaign obviously didn't slow down his momentum as he prepared for a full-time starting job after his breakout audition.

"I took a lot of confidence out of it because it actually let me learn a lot more about the play-calling and what I can do in the game," Shazier said. "I gained a lot of confidence, and now I'm feeling pretty good in the defense.

"It was difficult [waiting] because everybody wants to get on the field. But I had a senior in front of me, Andrew Sweat was teaching me a lot of things. ... I just waited for my opportunity, because I knew once he was gone I was going to come in and take advantage like I am."

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http://espn.go.com/colleges/osu/sto...r-ryan-shazier-aims-turn-potential-production
 
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Shazier chases down his own expectations
By Dan Hope
[email protected]
Updated: Monday, August 27, 2012

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Cody Cousino / Multimedia editor
OSU then-freshman linebacker Ryan Shazier makes a tackle during a Nov. 26, 2011, game against Michigan. OSU lost the game, 40-34.

Coming off three starts as a true freshman, sophomore outside linebacker Ryan Shazier enters his second season firmly entrenched as a starter on the Ohio State football team?s defense.

Shazier is one of many young linebackers who will play for the Buckeyes this season. Along with middle linebacker Curtis Grant, Shazier is one of two starting sophomore linebackers, while four of the seven linebackers listed on Monday?s depth chart are freshmen.

First-year coach Urban Meyer admitted that Shazier is ?real young,? but he has high expectations for him.

?I?m biased because I love the guy,? Meyer said. ?His God-given skill level is really high, so our expectation level is an all-Big Ten type player, at some point. He has that skill level.?

Shazier?s own expectations are even higher.

?One of my goals since I was little was to be an All-American,? Shazier said. ?I?m just going to work my butt off to be an All-American or one of the top linebackers in the nation, so I?m just going to keep working hard, being a leader and just try to do the best I can.?

Shazier made an immediate impact last season once he cracked the starting lineup. He finished the year with 57 total tackles, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a blocked punt. Meyer said his work ethic is a major factor in his success.

?He gives everything he?s got,? Meyer said. ?He?s so sincere about what he does.?

Shazier said he recognizes that his team will be relying on him more than it did last year, and is ready for the added responsibility.

?This year?s a lot different than last year,? Shazier said. ?I have to be a leader a lot more than last year. I?m just working on my ability to try and be a lot better than I was, and work on my footwork, my technique and helping the young guys out a lot.?

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http://www.thelantern.com/sports/shazier-chases-down-his-own-expectations-1.2887579#.UDyuwqOaKSo
 
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Led the team in tackles yesterday with eight. Had that big hit on the RB at the sideline & took out two players on Howard's 2nd INT. Really like his tenacious play & enthusiasm.
 
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Ohio State Buckeyes need LB Ryan Shazier to grow up quickly
By Doug Lesmerises, The Plain Dealer
on September 08, 2012

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Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer
Coach Urban Meyer believes sophomore Ryan Shazier has the talent to be an All-Big Ten linebacker someday. Meyer is hoping Shazier reaches that level sooner rather than later.
40, UCF 24: The Knights can score, but just not enough.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer sees everything he needs to see in sophomore linebacker Ryan Shazier. He just doesn't see it all right now.

Shazier has seemingly skipped a step in his maturation as a player, going from a true freshman whom people clamored to see more of last season, to a starter in only the last few games of 2011, to someone viewed by many as a sure thing at the heart of the Ohio State defense.

His path could be like that of former OSU linebacker James Laurinaitis, who went from being thrown into the Michigan game as a freshman to an All-American as a sophomore. But in many ways, Shazier is still a kid learning his way.

"[He's] really young, [but] I'm biased because I love the guy," Meyer said before last week's opener. "He gives what he's got. He's so sincere. I've known him for several years now. I recruited him when I was at Florida. His God-given skill level is really high. Our expectation level is an All-Big Ten-type player, at some point. I don't know if it's this year, but he has that skill level."

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http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2012/09/ohio_state_buckeyes_need_lb_ry.html
 
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