Canton
[FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Ohio State’s roster boasts six Stark Countians[/FONT]
Friday, September 1, 2006
JUSTIN ZWICK
Kirk Barton, Perry
Offensive tackle, 6-foot-6, 310 lbs., Jr.
Major History. Birthdate Nov. 4, 1984.
One of the best guards in college football. His footwork, strength and speed make him an All-Big Ten candidate. Barton needs to keep himself on the field and avoid tedious injuries. Named to the preseason Outland Trophy watch list.
T.j. downing, GlenOak
Offensive guard, 6-foot-4, 305 lbs., Sr.
Major Family resource management. Birthdate March 6, 1984.
Strong, versatile lineman who has started the last two years. He is a vocal leader on the line. Downing may have been the most improved lineman a year ago. He has high expectations for 2006.
brian hartline, GlenOak
Wide receiver, 6-foot-3, 180 lbs., Fr.
Major Undeclared. Birthdate Nov. 22, 1986
Buckeye coaches are excited to have Hartline healthy. He is fast and
athletic. He will backup Anthony Gonzalez, but look for Hartline to get
playing time in four and five WR sets. Fully recovered from a separated
shoulder during bowl practice last winter.
curt lukens, North Canton Hoover
Linebacker, 6-foot-3, 215 lbs., Jr.
Major Consumer affairs. Birthdate March 20, 1985
Tough player who has switched from LB to SS and now WR this year. The position change is an attempt to sustain Lukens’ football career. Shoulder injuries to both sides kept him from playing defense. He's hoping a switch to offense will lighten the load.
jon thoma, st. thomas aquinas
Punter, 6-foot-1, 190 lbs., Fr.
Major Business. Birthdate June 14, 1987.
Walked on and has done nothing but impress coaches. He competed with A.J. Trapasso for the starting punter duties. Thoma is a redshirt freshman and needs some seasoning yet. His best days are ahead.
justin zwick, massillon
Quarterback, 6-foot-4, 225 lbs., Sr.
Major Marketing. Birthdate May 12, 1983.
A year ago he was OSU's starting QB. Talent eventually won over and Zwick is the No. 2. Has returned this year with an improved attitude and is helping Smith break down film when he's asked. Tressel said he is confident in Zwick if Troy Smith gets hurt. He is the most experienced No. 2 in the Big Ten. A likely NFL signee in the spring because of his quick release, size and football intelligence.
Canton
[FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Stark County offensive linemen haven’t thrived at OSU[/FONT]
Friday, September 1, 2006 [FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]By Todd Porter REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER[/FONT]
COLUMBUS - The pipeline from Stark County to Ohio State usually flows freely. Mike Doss was a co-captain on the 2002 national title team. Kenny Peterson was a main cog on the defensive line on the same team. Dustin Fox started for three years. Before them were Chris Spielman and John Muhlbach and Dave Whitfield.
When it comes to the offensive line, however, the pipeline has been clogged.
Kirk Barton and T.J. Downing were aware of the county’s lack of offensive line success at Ohio State, and major college football in general.
Downing, a fifth-year senior at OSU, will become a three-year starter at right guard.
Barton, a junior, will start next to Downing at right tackle. Both could be first-day NFL draft picks.
Before then, they would like to change the way people think of area linemen in the Big Ten.
“The only guy I knew who came to Ohio State from Stark County was Larry Kinnard,” said Downing, a GlenOak High School graduate. “I saw how things panned out for him. Larry was a big, physical guy. I thought he’d have success. It worried me after he didn’t. I thought, ‘If this guy didn’t do well, what am I in for?’ ”
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Downing is the son of former 49ers offensive lineman Walt Downing. T.J. also can play guard. He is a big part of OSU’s line that could become the best in Jim Tressel’s six seasons in Columbus.
“I was very confident in my abilities when I got down here,” Downing said. “I’m confident in them now. We have a national championship-caliber line. I’m excited for Antonio Pittman to get his 150 yards a game and for Troy (Smith) to do his Heisman thing.”
The last Stark County lineman to go to OSU and have a substantial career was Central Catholic’s Dave Monnot. He started at guard from 1991-93.
There have been others who have had quiet Big Ten careers.
“Honestly,” said Barton, a Perry High graduate, “I knew guys from Stark County didn’t do so well in the Big Ten on the line.”
Downing and Barton hope to carve out their piece of OSU history. They are starters for the No. 1 team in the country.
The Buckeyes have to replace starters Nick Mangold and Rob Sims. Next year they’ll have to replace Downing. Barton should return for his senior season, but depending on the type of year he has, he could turn pro a year early.
Could this line be better than last year?
“There’s always a chance because of the talent at Ohio State,” Barton said. “We have a lot of work to do to replace guys like Rob and Nick. They were superstars. ... If we work hard, we can get to that level, maybe better.”
“We can be better,” Downing said. “Me and Kirk take great pride in being Stark County guys starting on the line. When was the last time two Stark County linemen started at Ohio State? We can’t think of any in the last 40, 50 years.”
The two were roommates until recently, when Barton got a girlfriend and moved out of their apartment.
“I moved from Dublin to Hilliard, which is like moving from Canton to Jackson Township,” Barton said, joking. “But I still pay rent to T.J. every month. You never know. I may need a place or a doghouse.”
Downing laughs. Barton has a bed as long as the rent checks keep coming. He said his beverage supply in the refrigerator will last longer.
“He has a knack for drinking my refreshments,” Downing said.
Of the two, Downing is more outspoken, maybe a little too much. Tressel has been giving him a hard time about comments he made in the Columbus Dispatch regarding his summer leisure time.
“I said I was hanging out at the pool to check out the ladies when (strength coach) Eric Lichter was kicking by butt,” Downing said. “It got me in trouble with my girlfriends in Columbus.”
Downing and Tressel have developed a bit of Oscar and Felix comedy routine at public speaking engagements. Downing attended Tressel’s speech during the Pro Football Hall of Fame luncheon series this year.
“He makes me step up my game,” Downing said.
Reach Repository sports writer Todd Porter
at (330) 580-8340 or e-mail:
[email protected]
[FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Ohio State’s roster boasts six Stark Countians[/FONT]
Friday, September 1, 2006
JUSTIN ZWICK
Kirk Barton, Perry
Offensive tackle, 6-foot-6, 310 lbs., Jr.
Major History. Birthdate Nov. 4, 1984.
One of the best guards in college football. His footwork, strength and speed make him an All-Big Ten candidate. Barton needs to keep himself on the field and avoid tedious injuries. Named to the preseason Outland Trophy watch list.
T.j. downing, GlenOak
Offensive guard, 6-foot-4, 305 lbs., Sr.
Major Family resource management. Birthdate March 6, 1984.
Strong, versatile lineman who has started the last two years. He is a vocal leader on the line. Downing may have been the most improved lineman a year ago. He has high expectations for 2006.
brian hartline, GlenOak
Wide receiver, 6-foot-3, 180 lbs., Fr.
Major Undeclared. Birthdate Nov. 22, 1986
Buckeye coaches are excited to have Hartline healthy. He is fast and
athletic. He will backup Anthony Gonzalez, but look for Hartline to get
playing time in four and five WR sets. Fully recovered from a separated
shoulder during bowl practice last winter.
curt lukens, North Canton Hoover
Linebacker, 6-foot-3, 215 lbs., Jr.
Major Consumer affairs. Birthdate March 20, 1985
Tough player who has switched from LB to SS and now WR this year. The position change is an attempt to sustain Lukens’ football career. Shoulder injuries to both sides kept him from playing defense. He's hoping a switch to offense will lighten the load.
jon thoma, st. thomas aquinas
Punter, 6-foot-1, 190 lbs., Fr.
Major Business. Birthdate June 14, 1987.
Walked on and has done nothing but impress coaches. He competed with A.J. Trapasso for the starting punter duties. Thoma is a redshirt freshman and needs some seasoning yet. His best days are ahead.
justin zwick, massillon
Quarterback, 6-foot-4, 225 lbs., Sr.
Major Marketing. Birthdate May 12, 1983.
A year ago he was OSU's starting QB. Talent eventually won over and Zwick is the No. 2. Has returned this year with an improved attitude and is helping Smith break down film when he's asked. Tressel said he is confident in Zwick if Troy Smith gets hurt. He is the most experienced No. 2 in the Big Ten. A likely NFL signee in the spring because of his quick release, size and football intelligence.
Canton
[FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Stark County offensive linemen haven’t thrived at OSU[/FONT]
Friday, September 1, 2006 [FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]By Todd Porter REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER[/FONT]
COLUMBUS - The pipeline from Stark County to Ohio State usually flows freely. Mike Doss was a co-captain on the 2002 national title team. Kenny Peterson was a main cog on the defensive line on the same team. Dustin Fox started for three years. Before them were Chris Spielman and John Muhlbach and Dave Whitfield.
When it comes to the offensive line, however, the pipeline has been clogged.
Kirk Barton and T.J. Downing were aware of the county’s lack of offensive line success at Ohio State, and major college football in general.
Downing, a fifth-year senior at OSU, will become a three-year starter at right guard.
Barton, a junior, will start next to Downing at right tackle. Both could be first-day NFL draft picks.
Before then, they would like to change the way people think of area linemen in the Big Ten.
“The only guy I knew who came to Ohio State from Stark County was Larry Kinnard,” said Downing, a GlenOak High School graduate. “I saw how things panned out for him. Larry was a big, physical guy. I thought he’d have success. It worried me after he didn’t. I thought, ‘If this guy didn’t do well, what am I in for?’ ”
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Downing is the son of former 49ers offensive lineman Walt Downing. T.J. also can play guard. He is a big part of OSU’s line that could become the best in Jim Tressel’s six seasons in Columbus.
“I was very confident in my abilities when I got down here,” Downing said. “I’m confident in them now. We have a national championship-caliber line. I’m excited for Antonio Pittman to get his 150 yards a game and for Troy (Smith) to do his Heisman thing.”
The last Stark County lineman to go to OSU and have a substantial career was Central Catholic’s Dave Monnot. He started at guard from 1991-93.
There have been others who have had quiet Big Ten careers.
“Honestly,” said Barton, a Perry High graduate, “I knew guys from Stark County didn’t do so well in the Big Ten on the line.”
Downing and Barton hope to carve out their piece of OSU history. They are starters for the No. 1 team in the country.
The Buckeyes have to replace starters Nick Mangold and Rob Sims. Next year they’ll have to replace Downing. Barton should return for his senior season, but depending on the type of year he has, he could turn pro a year early.
Could this line be better than last year?
“There’s always a chance because of the talent at Ohio State,” Barton said. “We have a lot of work to do to replace guys like Rob and Nick. They were superstars. ... If we work hard, we can get to that level, maybe better.”
“We can be better,” Downing said. “Me and Kirk take great pride in being Stark County guys starting on the line. When was the last time two Stark County linemen started at Ohio State? We can’t think of any in the last 40, 50 years.”
The two were roommates until recently, when Barton got a girlfriend and moved out of their apartment.
“I moved from Dublin to Hilliard, which is like moving from Canton to Jackson Township,” Barton said, joking. “But I still pay rent to T.J. every month. You never know. I may need a place or a doghouse.”
Downing laughs. Barton has a bed as long as the rent checks keep coming. He said his beverage supply in the refrigerator will last longer.
“He has a knack for drinking my refreshments,” Downing said.
Of the two, Downing is more outspoken, maybe a little too much. Tressel has been giving him a hard time about comments he made in the Columbus Dispatch regarding his summer leisure time.
“I said I was hanging out at the pool to check out the ladies when (strength coach) Eric Lichter was kicking by butt,” Downing said. “It got me in trouble with my girlfriends in Columbus.”
Downing and Tressel have developed a bit of Oscar and Felix comedy routine at public speaking engagements. Downing attended Tressel’s speech during the Pro Football Hall of Fame luncheon series this year.
“He makes me step up my game,” Downing said.
Reach Repository sports writer Todd Porter
at (330) 580-8340 or e-mail:
[email protected]