With so many underclassmen declaring early, and a handful doing so two years early, the often debated topic of redshirting has resurfaced. I decided to go back and breakdown the top-200 or so recruits in the past 3 classes and analyze whether the OSU staff made the right call (I skipped 2012 because it was largely an inherited class and OSU was a mess).
Frankly, I'd say the staff did a remarkably good job with their choices to redshirt.
14 of 15 wise choices - Marshall being the exception.2013 said:Bell - played - special teams and saw time as backup. Should've supplanted Brown, but that was a uniquely bad situation ahead of him.
Mitchell - redshirted - then transferred, now transferred again. Despite theatrics from others (not mitchells), he was clearly not ready.
Marshall - redshirted - set back by a concussion in fall camp. Debatable decision, could have helped provide another h-back on a team without them (Wilson was so thin and Brown was iffy moonlighting there)
Bosa - played - early and often. great choice.
Elliott - played - special teams and brief carries. Still wasn't fully ready in Sep of year 2.
Wilson - played - early and often. More of a novelty act but drew a lot of attention and added a different dimension. Probably wasn't truly ready to be a full time contributor.
Lisle - redshirted - most OL should redshirt, and he wasn't ready. His main contributions may begin in year 4.
Baugh - redshirted - was not ready. Came into his own in year 3.
Apple - redshirted - was not ready.
Burrows - played - early and often, special teams and defense. Can't stay on field, partially due to health.
Conley - redshirted - was not ready in year 1, was not fully ready in year 2 either. Really shined in year 3.
Hill - redshirted - via medical redshirt, wasn't really likely to be a regular contributor in B1G play in year 1. Finally developing in year 3.
Barrett - redshirted - rehabbing and buried on depth chart.
Johnson - played - early and often, didn't quite break through, later retired due to injury.
Price - redshirted - needed to figure out his position, wasn't going to contribute in year 1.
(Lee isn't counted here due to ranking but he wasn't ready either)
13 of 14 wise choices - Hubbard being the exception, and I think that's debatable2014 said:Hubbard - redshirted - coaches struggled with whether to burn it. Very good player, but Miller stepped up and Bosa was a monster. Lewis a solid backup. Did they truly need him?
Webb - played - saw time in both seasons, starting nickelback in year 2. Helped speed up his development but he's not likely to be a 3 and out guy.
Smith - played - often on special teams and some as a backup, still becoming a consistent player. Lost halfway thru yr 2 to injury.
McMillan - played - early and often. co-starter due to a struggling starter ahead of him.
Lattimore - redshirted - injured.
Samuel - played - early and was key to NC run. Probably a major weapon in yr 2 if Braxton doesn't move to h-back.
Jones - played - both seasons as a reserve. Should he have replaced Farris in year 2?
Berger - redshirted - injured
Booker - played - both seasons on ST and as a backup. Lots of talent, still pretty raw
Campbell - redshirted - right choice. High potential but raw. Remained that way in year 2.
Knox - redshirted - like most OL should. OSU OL was dominant and did not factor into year 2 either.
Holmes - played - both seasons as a backup. About in the same spot as when he started playing.
Brown - played - big blocker that added much needed depth outside. Would've been big part of yr 2 without injury.
Dixon - played - then redshirted due to injury. Career may be ruined by injuries.
9/10 of 11 wise choices, with Weber as iffy and Gibson as the debate between 9 or 10.2015 said:Gibson - redshirted - raw, some off-field and maturity issues. Appears to be returning for a potential breakout 2016 season. Playmakers were not the weakness with the 2015 OSU offense and frankly there weren't many opportunities for him to play.
Hilliard - redshirted - OSU had 3 strong returning starters and got Baker and Booker much PT in spot duty with Cam as a regular too.
Weber - redshirted - due to surgery in fall camp. Probably backs up Elliott. They didn't need him this year but would have preferred a more experienced back for 2016.
Prince - played - got valuable experience this year to take over for Farris in year 2.
Baker - played - special teams and some defense, struggled but got to grow up.
Glover-WIlliams - played - on special teams. Didn't get reps on D because of depth at DB.
Burrell - redshirted - like most OL should.
Ward - played - special teams and got some live reps on D.
Burrow - redshirted - certainly didn't need more participants in QBGeddon.
Stump - redshirted - recovering from injury
Cornell - redshirted - stuck behind Bosa, Hubbard, Lewis, Holmes.
Frankly, I'd say the staff did a remarkably good job with their choices to redshirt.