apwessen
Student
Here is my projections for next year's lineup. A lot is going to depend on those leaving and staying and a lot will depend on the recruits coming in. I am heavily flustered about the defense and the front 4. Who's going to start at the two spots left open by Patterson and Pitcock? These are only my guesses.
OFFENSE
QB: Rob Schoenhoft(SO) A lot of this is going to come down to who works harder and looks better in practice between him and Boeckman. I know Boeckman is the more experienced, but I still see Schoenhoft winning this battle. He has better size and I like his swagger.
RB: Beanie Wells(SO) (Pittman is most likely going pro.) Showed some great strides from beginning to end of the season. Must work on his fumble-itis, but the other options? A true freshman or Maurice Wells. Easy choice here.
FB: Aram Olson(SO) Olson was a top FB recruit last year and will be taking over Stan White's spot. He has ideal size and I hear he is a great blocker. He is really the only choice her, I think.
WR1: Brian Robiskie(JR) He came on strong and had a great year. I am assuming that Ginn will go pro, if not Ginn will be #1, obviously. Robiskie should be solid and get a lot of balls his way.
WR2: Brian Hartline(SO) Very young. Redshirt Freshman this year. I know him personally and he is very eager for this shot. Should be a solid receiver, and develop into a good possesion receiver.
WR3: Albert Dukes(JR)/Ray Small(SO) This will come down to spring practices too. Ray Small got flattened this season in a game, so it will be interesting to see him play after he gets back. Dukes will probably win the battle due to being more experienced. Both are very fast and remind me of a track star more than a receiver.
TE1: Rory Nicol(JR) He shouldn't lose his position, he played pretty solidly.
TE2: Jake Ballard(SO) Probably the biggest TE I've ever seen at OSU. He is 6'7" and should provide a big target for Schoenhoft.
OT: Kirk Barton(SR) Was contemplating the NFL, but after the championship game, I can't see that happening. He will be a solid top 5 O-Lineman.
OT: Alex Boone(JR) Must improve his play from the championship game, but I see no one who could take his spot.
OG: Connor Smith(SO) I saw this guy in high school and he is a beast. He doesn't quite have the size of Boone and Barton, so I see him as a Guard. This is a wildcard, however. This spot could go to anyone.
OG: Ben Person(JR)/Kyle Mitchum(JR) Both posses good size and are going to be Juniors next year. Wildcard spots, just like Connor Smith.
OC: Jim Cordle(SO) Whaley seems like a better choice right now, but Whaley is too undersized. Cordle has 3 inches and 25 pounds on Whaley and I see that winning.
Defense
DE: Vernon Gholston(JR) This kids arms are massive. He had a solid national championship game and will be a big force next year.
DT: Sion Cotton(SR) Oldest DT on the roster, I don't see anyone being able to overtake his experience on the team.
DT: Nader Abdallah(JR) Will be a junior and has impressive size, should get him in the starting lineup.
DE: Robert Rose(SO) This kid is going to be amazing. He was a top DE recruit and a Glenville stud. I can definitely see him getting the starting nod as a Sophomore.
OLB: Marcus Freeman(JR) Expect him to get even more playing time than last year. Made some key plays all year, including the Texas game.
MLB: James Lauranaitis(JR) Is everywhere on the field. Should amass well over 100 tackles next year.
OLB: Ross Homan(SO) Not sure if he will play OLB, but I see him getting some serious playing time. He did well with backup duty this year.
CB: Malcolm Jenkins(JR) Was ranked in the top 5 of CBs at the beginning of the year and shouldn't be any different this year. I just hope he stays for his senior season.
CB: Donald Washington(SO)/Kurt Coleman(SO) Washington was somewhat of a Nickelback corner this year. Coleman played on special teams and as a backup and Nickelback corner. This could go either way. I'm rooting for Coleman though, because he's my bud.
S: Jamario O'Neal(JR) Got the nod this year and shouldn't lose his spot.
S: Eugene Clifford(FR) I think he will show why Cincinnati is a hot spot for high school recruits. Should be very impressive.
Special Teams
K: Aaron Pettrey(SO) I don't see him losing his job after a good season.
P: AJ Trapasso(JR) Should be a four year starter.
Return: Maurice Wells(JR) I don't like him here, but it is where he will end up.
Return: Brandon Saine(FR) This kid has amazing speed. If he can make people miss in the open field, he could be our new Mr. Excitement.
Return: Ray Small(SO) Impressive speed, I would love to see him here.
Captains
Offense - Kirk Barton, Chris Wells, Alex Boone
Defense - Vernon Gholston, Malcolm Jenkins, James Lauranaitis
Possible Surprises
Thaddeus Gibson and Larry Grant could be good additions to the linebacking crew and get good minutes.
Grant Schwartz was red-shirted this year. He is an athlete listed as a safety on the roster. He played QB at high school and could be a solid QB player down the line. I know him personally and he is one of the fastest people I know.
Ray Small looks to me like a really great player of the future. I love his play.
OFFENSE
QB: Rob Schoenhoft(SO) A lot of this is going to come down to who works harder and looks better in practice between him and Boeckman. I know Boeckman is the more experienced, but I still see Schoenhoft winning this battle. He has better size and I like his swagger.
RB: Beanie Wells(SO) (Pittman is most likely going pro.) Showed some great strides from beginning to end of the season. Must work on his fumble-itis, but the other options? A true freshman or Maurice Wells. Easy choice here.
FB: Aram Olson(SO) Olson was a top FB recruit last year and will be taking over Stan White's spot. He has ideal size and I hear he is a great blocker. He is really the only choice her, I think.
WR1: Brian Robiskie(JR) He came on strong and had a great year. I am assuming that Ginn will go pro, if not Ginn will be #1, obviously. Robiskie should be solid and get a lot of balls his way.
WR2: Brian Hartline(SO) Very young. Redshirt Freshman this year. I know him personally and he is very eager for this shot. Should be a solid receiver, and develop into a good possesion receiver.
WR3: Albert Dukes(JR)/Ray Small(SO) This will come down to spring practices too. Ray Small got flattened this season in a game, so it will be interesting to see him play after he gets back. Dukes will probably win the battle due to being more experienced. Both are very fast and remind me of a track star more than a receiver.
TE1: Rory Nicol(JR) He shouldn't lose his position, he played pretty solidly.
TE2: Jake Ballard(SO) Probably the biggest TE I've ever seen at OSU. He is 6'7" and should provide a big target for Schoenhoft.
OT: Kirk Barton(SR) Was contemplating the NFL, but after the championship game, I can't see that happening. He will be a solid top 5 O-Lineman.
OT: Alex Boone(JR) Must improve his play from the championship game, but I see no one who could take his spot.
OG: Connor Smith(SO) I saw this guy in high school and he is a beast. He doesn't quite have the size of Boone and Barton, so I see him as a Guard. This is a wildcard, however. This spot could go to anyone.
OG: Ben Person(JR)/Kyle Mitchum(JR) Both posses good size and are going to be Juniors next year. Wildcard spots, just like Connor Smith.
OC: Jim Cordle(SO) Whaley seems like a better choice right now, but Whaley is too undersized. Cordle has 3 inches and 25 pounds on Whaley and I see that winning.
Defense
DE: Vernon Gholston(JR) This kids arms are massive. He had a solid national championship game and will be a big force next year.
DT: Sion Cotton(SR) Oldest DT on the roster, I don't see anyone being able to overtake his experience on the team.
DT: Nader Abdallah(JR) Will be a junior and has impressive size, should get him in the starting lineup.
DE: Robert Rose(SO) This kid is going to be amazing. He was a top DE recruit and a Glenville stud. I can definitely see him getting the starting nod as a Sophomore.
OLB: Marcus Freeman(JR) Expect him to get even more playing time than last year. Made some key plays all year, including the Texas game.
MLB: James Lauranaitis(JR) Is everywhere on the field. Should amass well over 100 tackles next year.
OLB: Ross Homan(SO) Not sure if he will play OLB, but I see him getting some serious playing time. He did well with backup duty this year.
CB: Malcolm Jenkins(JR) Was ranked in the top 5 of CBs at the beginning of the year and shouldn't be any different this year. I just hope he stays for his senior season.
CB: Donald Washington(SO)/Kurt Coleman(SO) Washington was somewhat of a Nickelback corner this year. Coleman played on special teams and as a backup and Nickelback corner. This could go either way. I'm rooting for Coleman though, because he's my bud.
S: Jamario O'Neal(JR) Got the nod this year and shouldn't lose his spot.
S: Eugene Clifford(FR) I think he will show why Cincinnati is a hot spot for high school recruits. Should be very impressive.
Special Teams
K: Aaron Pettrey(SO) I don't see him losing his job after a good season.
P: AJ Trapasso(JR) Should be a four year starter.
Return: Maurice Wells(JR) I don't like him here, but it is where he will end up.
Return: Brandon Saine(FR) This kid has amazing speed. If he can make people miss in the open field, he could be our new Mr. Excitement.
Return: Ray Small(SO) Impressive speed, I would love to see him here.
Captains
Offense - Kirk Barton, Chris Wells, Alex Boone
Defense - Vernon Gholston, Malcolm Jenkins, James Lauranaitis
Possible Surprises
Thaddeus Gibson and Larry Grant could be good additions to the linebacking crew and get good minutes.
Grant Schwartz was red-shirted this year. He is an athlete listed as a safety on the roster. He played QB at high school and could be a solid QB player down the line. I know him personally and he is one of the fastest people I know.
Ray Small looks to me like a really great player of the future. I love his play.

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