-
Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
- Thread starter bucknut11
- Start date
Dionte seems to be getting little media attention at fullback. When we have 2 backs, I think he's going to be the lead blocker most of the time.
Upvote
0
Speaking of depth, the team is 3-deep at every position on defense. Here's the O-zone's "Depth-Chart-Guess" on 'D':
ozone.depthchartguesses_2
The Official The-Ozone Educated Guess Unofficial Depth Chart
By John Porentas
Yesterday we fed Depth Chart Mania with our best guesses at how the OSU offense will line up this season, trying to give you quotes and facts to support our guesses. Today we'll keep that mania going with a look at the defense.
The Official The-Ozone Educated Guess Unofficial Depth Chart
Defense
Interior Line: The top two in this category are a no-brainer. Redshirt junior Quinn Pitcock (6-3, 295) and fifth-year senior Marcus Green (6-3, 295) are the top candidates to be the anchor points in this year's OSU defensive front. Both have had plenty of starting experience and it's no secret that defensive line coach Jim Heacock is looking for big things from both of those players.
Backing up the starters will be redshirt junior Joel Penton (6-5, 290) who has seen some playing time and is expected to be a reliable player his season. The most likely other backup will be junior David Patterson (6-3, 285). Patterson can play either defensive end or in the interior and will likely split his time at both the inside and the outside defensive line positions. Also pressing for playing time this season will be redshirt freshman Nadar Abdallah (6-5, 300) and redshirt sophomore Sian Cotton (6-3, 305).
"Nadar Abdallah and Sian Cotton inside have done a really good job stuffing it up," commented defensive end Mike Kudla on the progress being made by the newcomers.
Defensive End: Senior Mike Kudla (6-3, 260) is back for his second year as a starter at defensive end, and Kudla seems poised to have a great season. He won the starting job last season despite coming back from a severe illness. This year he is healthy, experienced, and ready to go. That experience should serve him well this year as one starter at defensive end.
Jay Richardson seems to be the heir-apparent at the other defensive end, though David Patterson could move to that spot should either Nadar Abdallah or Sian Cotton emerge in the defensive interior allowing Patterson to move outside full time. Richardson was a pass-rush specialist last season but was not particularly strong against the run. Patterson can do both, though he does not pass rush as well as Richardson. Richardson seems bigger this season and has worked on his run-stopping game, so we're going to stick with Richardson as the starter.
Backing up Kudla and Richardson is a host of young talent. Redshirt freshman Alex Barrow (6-4, 255) is a fierce pass rusher who can also drop into coverage in zone blitz schemes. Barrow redshirted last year and took that time to add size to go with his athleticism. We see Barrow as the primary backup for Richardson. Sophomore Vernon Gholston (6-4, 260) is the leading candidate to back up Kudla.
Incoming freshmen Doug Worthington (6-7, 250), Ryan Williams (6-6, 245) and Lawrence Wilson (6-6, 225) all are much heralded and have the tools to play. The common denominator in that group is speed.
"The guys working on the edges, Lawrence Wilson and Doug Worthington, have done a good job coming in so far and picking up the scheme and working hard," said Kudla.
Offensive lineman T. J. Downing has lined up against the youngsters and grudgingly admits that he likes what he sees.
"I try not to give any guys on defense any compliments, but it seems like our edge rushers Ryan Williams, Doug Worthington, Lawrence (Wilson ), they all seem pretty good," said Downing.
"They're fast and they've already got the size so I think our defensive line is going to be all right," Downing said.
The real wildcard along the entire defensive front is David Patterson. Patterson can play both inside and outside and has considerable playing experience. If the depth develops on the interior, look for Paterson to see considerable time at end this season.
Outside Linebacker: This position is like the wide receiver position on offense - an embarrassment of riches.
Seniors A.J. Hawk (6-1, 240) and Bobby Carpenter (6-3, 255) are back for their senior seasons and big things are expected of both. Hawk was named the preseason Big Ten defensive player of the year and Carpenter is the prototypical NFL linebacker.
In almost any other season sophomore Marcus Freeman (6-2, 230) would be the starter at OSU, but the talented youngster is behind two great ones in Hawk and Carpenter. Freeman will surely see the field this season, particularly if the Buckeyes experiment with a three-man front as they did last season. He will also be seen on special teams.
"Marcus has been doing some really good things," said senior inside linebacker Anthony Schlegel.
"He has a lot of speed and he's very explosive. He probably had one of the best summers on the team lifting-wise and agility stuff. He's really showing a lot of signs of really getting good."
We think that sophomore Curtis Terry (6-2, 220) will also be in the two-deep when the season begins. Terry was outstanding on special teams as a true freshman, and has added almost 20 pounds to his frame. Terry has the speed of a defensive back and the true mind set of a linebacker. Not only that, but he amuses Schlegel.
"I love Curtis. Every time I think of Curtis I can see his face and I just start laughing. We all laugh at Curtis," said Schlegel.
According to Schlegel, Terry makes guys laugh off the field, but on the field, he's anything but a joke.
"Curtis has been doing a great job and Curtis is a guy who has a lot of speed. and can really do things. He's really picking up the defense a lot better, and he really needs to keep doing that and just getting those reps," said Schlegel.
Redshirt junior John Kerr (6-1, 246) is also back as an outside linebacker. Kerr spent his freshman season at Indiana where he led the Hoosiers in tackles as a true freshman and was named the Big Ten freshman defensive player of the year. Kerr sat out last season for a variety reasons, but is back this season and could challenge for a backup spot at the outside. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Smith (6-3, 240) will also work at outside backer this season.
Inside Linebacker: Senior Anthony Schlegel (6-1, 251) is back from knee surgery and is ready to pick up where he left off last season as the starter at inside linebacker. You may recall that Schlegel dueled with Mike D'Andrea for the starting position last season, but injuries hampered D'Andrea all season long opening the door for Schlegel to establish himself as OSU's main man in the middle of the defense.
"I'm 100%," said Schlegel when asked about the status of his knee.
D'Andrea, however, is not 100% following his own knee surgery. If he cannot play this season, the Buckeyes will have to find a backup for Schlegel. The primary candidate to back up Schlegel if D'Andrea is not available is sophomore Chad Hoobler (6-4, 240). Hoobler played well on special teams last season and excelled in the spring game.
"Chad really stepped up in the spring," said Schlegel.
"I wasn't playing last spring (due to his knee surgery) so I got a chance to work with him and show him a few things.
"The thing about Chad, he's just a country boy who likes to play hard. He's really starting to learn the game. He's my roommate and it's great because I get to talk to him about the things that I know," Schlegel said.
Incoming freshman Austin Spitler (6-3, 228) will offer additional depth at middle linebacker as could Kerr if the need arises due to injury.
Safeties: The Buckeyes return both starters from last year's squad, junior Donte Whitner (5-11, 205) and senior Nate Salley (6-3, 221). The chances of somebody beating either of those two out for the starting spot this season is about the same as Bo Schembeckler being named the president of the OSU Alumni Association.
Backing up Salley is redshirt junior Brandon Mitchell (6-3, 205). Like the starters, Mitchell is a big hitter who has seen the field extensively in his Buckeye career. Mitchell has played on special teams and even was named the starter over Salley in a couple of games early in the careers of both players. Behind Mitchell converted linebacker redshirt sophomore Kurt Lukens (6-3, 215) will add additional depth, as will special teams standout sophomore Sirjo Welch (6-0, 185).
Salley's backups are obvious. Thinks are not quite as easy when it comes to Whitner.
Redshirt freshman Nick Patterson (6-2, 210) was listed as the top backup at strong safety on the spring depth chart, so we'll go with Patterson as the number one backup this fall as well. Fifth year senior Rob Harley (6-2, 205) will add additional depth. Harley played extensively on special teams last year but had his curtailed by an injury.
Cornerbacks: We think the Buckeyes will have two strong starters at corner in junior Ashton Youboty (6-1, 188) and senior Tyler Everett (5-11, 202). Youboty proved himself last season as the starter at the boundary corner. Everett is a converted safety, but has played nickel back and has proven himself a playmaker. Youboty will move from the boundary corner to the field corner this year and Everett will handle the boundary
That's the easy part. Picking the backups, now that's a different story.
Redshirt sophomore Shaun Lane (5-10, 180) was listed as a backup in the spring roster, but we're not buying into that for a couple of reasons. First, there is what new cornerbacks coach Tim Beckman told us on media day.
"Shaun is in a bit of a predicament because he was a running back that got moved it the spring. He's come over here so you're talking about a kid who has had 18 days of practice as a defensive back," said Beckman.
That is not exactly a vote of confidence. Beckman did say, however, that there is one upper classman that has caught his eye at corner.
"Mike Roberts is an upperclassman that's doing a decent job," said Beckman.
Roberts (5-11, 185) is a redshirt junior from Toronto, Canada who has blazing speed, but until now has not been able to translate that speed into playing time. Apparently that is starting to change.
"This year he's finishing a lot of plays," said Youboty.
"In one-on-ones he looks a lot better off the line. He's running with all our receivers pretty well.
"A lot of people don't know that we have an experienced corner back there," said Youboty of Roberts. "He just hasn't"t had an opportunity to be on the field."
Roberts is currently the odds-on favorite to back up Youboty. Backing up up Everett is incoming freshman Jamario O'Neal (6-1, 180), though there is another freshman in camp that has turned a lot of heads early.
"Malcolm Jenkins (6-1, 180) has looked real good in practice," said Everett.
Youboty is also impressed with Jenkins in the early going.
"He's had a chance to make plays and he took the opportunity," said Youboty.
"He's just making plays right now. Last year Sirjo (Welch) couldn't be in the wrong place. Everywhere he was he made plays. That's why he didn't redshirt last year. That's who he (Jenkins) reminds me of right now," said Youboty. It looks like the trio of Jenkins, Roberts and O'Neal will duke it out for the two backup spots. You have to give Roberts an edge if for no other reason that he's been around, so we'll pencil him in as one backup. We'll take a flier and name Jenkins the other backup simply on the basis of what the other players are saying about his playmaking ability.
ozone.depthchartguesses_2
The Official The-Ozone Educated Guess Unofficial Depth Chart
By John Porentas
Yesterday we fed Depth Chart Mania with our best guesses at how the OSU offense will line up this season, trying to give you quotes and facts to support our guesses. Today we'll keep that mania going with a look at the defense.
The Official The-Ozone Educated Guess Unofficial Depth Chart
Defense
Interior Line: The top two in this category are a no-brainer. Redshirt junior Quinn Pitcock (6-3, 295) and fifth-year senior Marcus Green (6-3, 295) are the top candidates to be the anchor points in this year's OSU defensive front. Both have had plenty of starting experience and it's no secret that defensive line coach Jim Heacock is looking for big things from both of those players.
Backing up the starters will be redshirt junior Joel Penton (6-5, 290) who has seen some playing time and is expected to be a reliable player his season. The most likely other backup will be junior David Patterson (6-3, 285). Patterson can play either defensive end or in the interior and will likely split his time at both the inside and the outside defensive line positions. Also pressing for playing time this season will be redshirt freshman Nadar Abdallah (6-5, 300) and redshirt sophomore Sian Cotton (6-3, 305).
"Nadar Abdallah and Sian Cotton inside have done a really good job stuffing it up," commented defensive end Mike Kudla on the progress being made by the newcomers.
Defensive End: Senior Mike Kudla (6-3, 260) is back for his second year as a starter at defensive end, and Kudla seems poised to have a great season. He won the starting job last season despite coming back from a severe illness. This year he is healthy, experienced, and ready to go. That experience should serve him well this year as one starter at defensive end.
Jay Richardson seems to be the heir-apparent at the other defensive end, though David Patterson could move to that spot should either Nadar Abdallah or Sian Cotton emerge in the defensive interior allowing Patterson to move outside full time. Richardson was a pass-rush specialist last season but was not particularly strong against the run. Patterson can do both, though he does not pass rush as well as Richardson. Richardson seems bigger this season and has worked on his run-stopping game, so we're going to stick with Richardson as the starter.
Backing up Kudla and Richardson is a host of young talent. Redshirt freshman Alex Barrow (6-4, 255) is a fierce pass rusher who can also drop into coverage in zone blitz schemes. Barrow redshirted last year and took that time to add size to go with his athleticism. We see Barrow as the primary backup for Richardson. Sophomore Vernon Gholston (6-4, 260) is the leading candidate to back up Kudla.
Incoming freshmen Doug Worthington (6-7, 250), Ryan Williams (6-6, 245) and Lawrence Wilson (6-6, 225) all are much heralded and have the tools to play. The common denominator in that group is speed.
"The guys working on the edges, Lawrence Wilson and Doug Worthington, have done a good job coming in so far and picking up the scheme and working hard," said Kudla.
Offensive lineman T. J. Downing has lined up against the youngsters and grudgingly admits that he likes what he sees.
"I try not to give any guys on defense any compliments, but it seems like our edge rushers Ryan Williams, Doug Worthington, Lawrence (Wilson ), they all seem pretty good," said Downing.
"They're fast and they've already got the size so I think our defensive line is going to be all right," Downing said.
The real wildcard along the entire defensive front is David Patterson. Patterson can play both inside and outside and has considerable playing experience. If the depth develops on the interior, look for Paterson to see considerable time at end this season.
Outside Linebacker: This position is like the wide receiver position on offense - an embarrassment of riches.
Seniors A.J. Hawk (6-1, 240) and Bobby Carpenter (6-3, 255) are back for their senior seasons and big things are expected of both. Hawk was named the preseason Big Ten defensive player of the year and Carpenter is the prototypical NFL linebacker.
In almost any other season sophomore Marcus Freeman (6-2, 230) would be the starter at OSU, but the talented youngster is behind two great ones in Hawk and Carpenter. Freeman will surely see the field this season, particularly if the Buckeyes experiment with a three-man front as they did last season. He will also be seen on special teams.
"Marcus has been doing some really good things," said senior inside linebacker Anthony Schlegel.
"He has a lot of speed and he's very explosive. He probably had one of the best summers on the team lifting-wise and agility stuff. He's really showing a lot of signs of really getting good."
We think that sophomore Curtis Terry (6-2, 220) will also be in the two-deep when the season begins. Terry was outstanding on special teams as a true freshman, and has added almost 20 pounds to his frame. Terry has the speed of a defensive back and the true mind set of a linebacker. Not only that, but he amuses Schlegel.
"I love Curtis. Every time I think of Curtis I can see his face and I just start laughing. We all laugh at Curtis," said Schlegel.
According to Schlegel, Terry makes guys laugh off the field, but on the field, he's anything but a joke.
"Curtis has been doing a great job and Curtis is a guy who has a lot of speed. and can really do things. He's really picking up the defense a lot better, and he really needs to keep doing that and just getting those reps," said Schlegel.
Redshirt junior John Kerr (6-1, 246) is also back as an outside linebacker. Kerr spent his freshman season at Indiana where he led the Hoosiers in tackles as a true freshman and was named the Big Ten freshman defensive player of the year. Kerr sat out last season for a variety reasons, but is back this season and could challenge for a backup spot at the outside. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Smith (6-3, 240) will also work at outside backer this season.
Inside Linebacker: Senior Anthony Schlegel (6-1, 251) is back from knee surgery and is ready to pick up where he left off last season as the starter at inside linebacker. You may recall that Schlegel dueled with Mike D'Andrea for the starting position last season, but injuries hampered D'Andrea all season long opening the door for Schlegel to establish himself as OSU's main man in the middle of the defense.
"I'm 100%," said Schlegel when asked about the status of his knee.
D'Andrea, however, is not 100% following his own knee surgery. If he cannot play this season, the Buckeyes will have to find a backup for Schlegel. The primary candidate to back up Schlegel if D'Andrea is not available is sophomore Chad Hoobler (6-4, 240). Hoobler played well on special teams last season and excelled in the spring game.
"Chad really stepped up in the spring," said Schlegel.
"I wasn't playing last spring (due to his knee surgery) so I got a chance to work with him and show him a few things.
"The thing about Chad, he's just a country boy who likes to play hard. He's really starting to learn the game. He's my roommate and it's great because I get to talk to him about the things that I know," Schlegel said.
Incoming freshman Austin Spitler (6-3, 228) will offer additional depth at middle linebacker as could Kerr if the need arises due to injury.
Safeties: The Buckeyes return both starters from last year's squad, junior Donte Whitner (5-11, 205) and senior Nate Salley (6-3, 221). The chances of somebody beating either of those two out for the starting spot this season is about the same as Bo Schembeckler being named the president of the OSU Alumni Association.
Backing up Salley is redshirt junior Brandon Mitchell (6-3, 205). Like the starters, Mitchell is a big hitter who has seen the field extensively in his Buckeye career. Mitchell has played on special teams and even was named the starter over Salley in a couple of games early in the careers of both players. Behind Mitchell converted linebacker redshirt sophomore Kurt Lukens (6-3, 215) will add additional depth, as will special teams standout sophomore Sirjo Welch (6-0, 185).
Salley's backups are obvious. Thinks are not quite as easy when it comes to Whitner.
Redshirt freshman Nick Patterson (6-2, 210) was listed as the top backup at strong safety on the spring depth chart, so we'll go with Patterson as the number one backup this fall as well. Fifth year senior Rob Harley (6-2, 205) will add additional depth. Harley played extensively on special teams last year but had his curtailed by an injury.
Cornerbacks: We think the Buckeyes will have two strong starters at corner in junior Ashton Youboty (6-1, 188) and senior Tyler Everett (5-11, 202). Youboty proved himself last season as the starter at the boundary corner. Everett is a converted safety, but has played nickel back and has proven himself a playmaker. Youboty will move from the boundary corner to the field corner this year and Everett will handle the boundary
That's the easy part. Picking the backups, now that's a different story.
Redshirt sophomore Shaun Lane (5-10, 180) was listed as a backup in the spring roster, but we're not buying into that for a couple of reasons. First, there is what new cornerbacks coach Tim Beckman told us on media day.
"Shaun is in a bit of a predicament because he was a running back that got moved it the spring. He's come over here so you're talking about a kid who has had 18 days of practice as a defensive back," said Beckman.
That is not exactly a vote of confidence. Beckman did say, however, that there is one upper classman that has caught his eye at corner.
"Mike Roberts is an upperclassman that's doing a decent job," said Beckman.
Roberts (5-11, 185) is a redshirt junior from Toronto, Canada who has blazing speed, but until now has not been able to translate that speed into playing time. Apparently that is starting to change.
"This year he's finishing a lot of plays," said Youboty.
"In one-on-ones he looks a lot better off the line. He's running with all our receivers pretty well.
"A lot of people don't know that we have an experienced corner back there," said Youboty of Roberts. "He just hasn't"t had an opportunity to be on the field."
Roberts is currently the odds-on favorite to back up Youboty. Backing up up Everett is incoming freshman Jamario O'Neal (6-1, 180), though there is another freshman in camp that has turned a lot of heads early.
"Malcolm Jenkins (6-1, 180) has looked real good in practice," said Everett.
Youboty is also impressed with Jenkins in the early going.
"He's had a chance to make plays and he took the opportunity," said Youboty.
"He's just making plays right now. Last year Sirjo (Welch) couldn't be in the wrong place. Everywhere he was he made plays. That's why he didn't redshirt last year. That's who he (Jenkins) reminds me of right now," said Youboty. It looks like the trio of Jenkins, Roberts and O'Neal will duke it out for the two backup spots. You have to give Roberts an edge if for no other reason that he's been around, so we'll pencil him in as one backup. We'll take a flier and name Jenkins the other backup simply on the basis of what the other players are saying about his playmaking ability.
Upvote
0
This is the most singularly important trait of a QB. If Boeckman is the best at that, he should be the starter.
Upvote
0
martinss01
blissfully stupid
yep, kinda figured it'd go this way. there is just way too much raw talent there for it to not. as far as who can put it all together, thats anyones guess. but i am VERY excited about the qb position. something i haven't been able to say since 98.
Upvote
0
OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
I would be shocked if Zwick did not start the Miami game.
Upvote
0
I wouldn't be...Boeckman is the real deal and has a lot more confidence in his throws than Justin does. If he can command the offense, I could see him starting.
I thought Schafer moved to DT...they have him listed as contesting for the backup job at RT.
I thought Schafer moved to DT...they have him listed as contesting for the backup job at RT.
Upvote
0
AirForceBuck
No mercy
I think its been said before but those pants look TOO white. Hopefully those are jsut practice pants! Im not digging on them at all. Our colors arent Scarlet and Whitish-Grey. These remind me of our White BBALL jeresys. I wanna see those pants sparkle and shine like our silver helmets in the sun - and they arent from those pics.
Upvote
0
OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
More practice pics off the wire......
Ohio State tight end Stan White Jr. (89) and tailback Maurice Wells (34) warm up during drills Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005, in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State linebacker A. J. Hawk (54) stands on the sideline during practice Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005, in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State tailback Antonio Pittman (25) warms up during practice Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005, in Columbus, Ohio.
Upvote
0
BrutusMaximus
I Heart Boobs
We're lookin at pictures of one of the greatest Buckeye fighting forces in my recent memory, and you're worried about their pants?
I gotta quit lookin at this stuff, it is just makin me jones for football more and more.
Upvote
0