Nebraska At Night In November Needs No Hype

June 10, 2016 by Leave a Comment

“ Hell, there are no rules here – we’re trying to accomplish something…” ~ Thomas Edison

Leave it to Thomas Edison, an Ohioan and considered “The Father Of Invention”, to appropriately summarize the goals for the 2016 Ohio State football team. No rules – just accomplish something.

“Something” is a pretty vague and open concept. Considering how much talent Ohio State lost to graduation and the NFL Draft, considering how I have written throughout spring practice about how 44 players on Ohio State’s roster are either redshirt freshmen or true freshmen…Damn right, Mr. Edison. There are no rules. Ohio State fans are just looking to see what this team can accomplish against a much tougher schedule in 2016 than 2015, with tremendously talented, yet inexperienced, players.

**

Nebraska Cornhuskers (Game 9)

2016 OSU Opponent Ranking: 7 out of 12

Players Recruited By Ohio State: N/A, surprisingly. Ohio State did recruit DL Greg McMullen years ago, but McMullen announced his intention to quit football earlier this spring.

Game Date: November 5, 2016

Kickoff Time: 8pm EST, telecast TBD on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2

Location: Ohio Stadium

Rationale For The Ranking: Nebraska was truly snakebitten during 2015. Coming off a 5-7 season under Mike Riley, the Cornhuskers can only go up, right? Right?

Here’s a better reason why I think Ohio State will be in good shape for this game ~ Nebraska will be coming off another road game, at Wisconsin. Ohio State has a challenging game of their own the week before against Northwestern, but at home. Oh, by the way…This is a night game in Ohio Stadium. Do you think Urban Meyer may be wanting to send a message as November begins? I was in attendance in Ohio Stadium in 2012 the last time Nebraska visited; I have no doubt the crowd will be revved up for this one also.

Prediction: Ohio State will be coming off a home game against Northwestern, while who knows what kind of condition Nebraska will be in after a road game at Wisconsin. Look for many of Ohio State’s top recruits to be in attendance, as Coach Meyer always salivates at the opportunity to showcase Ohio State football in night games. This could be a preview of The B1G Championship Game in December, depending on how Nebraska responds after such a trying 2015 season.

Previous Rankings:

8 – at Maryland
9 – Indiana
10- Rutgers
11- Bowling Green
12- Tulsa

Filed Under: Ohio State Football Tagged With:

Buckeyes Will Need To Keep Their Minds On Maryland In November

June 3, 2016 by 1 Comment

“ Hell, there are no rules here – we’re trying to accomplish something…” ~ Thomas Edison

Leave it to Thomas Edison, an Ohioan and considered “The Father Of Invention”, to appropriately summarize the goals for the 2016 Ohio State football team. No rules – just accomplish something.

“Something” is a pretty vague and open concept. Considering how much talent Ohio State lost to graduation and the NFL Draft, considering how I have written throughout spring practice about how 44 players on Ohio State’s roster are either redshirt freshmen or true freshmen…Damn right, Mr. Edison. There are no rules. Ohio State fans are just looking to see what this team can accomplish against a much tougher schedule in 2016 than 2015, with tremendously talented, yet inexperienced, players.

**

Maryland Terrapins (Game 10)

2016 OSU Opponent Ranking: 8 out of 12

Players Recruited By Ohio State: Players Recruited By Ohio State: OL Derwin Gray, OL Damian Prince, WR Taivon Jacobs, RB Wes Brown, DL Adam McLean. Jacobs actually gave a verbal commitment to Ohio State back in 2013, but decided to sign with Maryland to be closer to his young daughter.

Game Date: November 12, 2016

Kickoff Time: TBA

Location: Byrd Stadium (College Park, Maryland)

Rationale For The Ranking: Maryland gave Ohio State a tougher than expected game in 2015, eventually losing 49-28 in Ohio Stadium. Ohio State had no problems with Maryland in Byrd Stadium, defeating Maryland 52-24. Why is Maryland ranked higher than other Ohio State opponents?

As in most things in life, timing is key. Ohio State will be coming off a night game against Nebraska on November 5th, and a revenge game is on the horizon at Michigan State on November 19th. Will Ohio State be tempted to be looking ahead?

Prediction: Former Urban Meyer protege D.J. Durkin is at the helm for Maryland now, and look for the Terrapins to become a more physical team that will be able to compete against the other traditional powers in The B1G East. Ohio State should be able to control this game, provided the Buckeyes do not take the Terrapins too lightly or look ahead to the trip to East Lansing.

Previous Rankings:

9 – Indiana
10- Rutgers
11- Bowling Green
12- Tulsa

Filed Under: Ohio State Football Tagged With:

Ohio State’s Games Against Hoosiers Are Often “Who Knows?”

May 27, 2016 by 1 Comment

“ Hell, there are no rules here – we’re trying to accomplish something…” ~ Thomas Edison

Leave it to Thomas Edison, an Ohioan and considered “The Father Of Invention”, to appropriately summarize the goals for the 2016 Ohio State football team. No rules – just accomplish something.

“Something” is a pretty vague and open concept. Considering how much talent Ohio State lost to graduation and the NFL Draft, considering how I have written throughout spring practice about how 44 players on Ohio State’s roster are either redshirt freshmen or true freshmen…Damn right, Mr. Edison. There are no rules. Ohio State fans are just looking to see what this team can accomplish against a much tougher schedule in 2016 than 2015, with tremendously talented, yet inexperienced, players.

**

Indiana Hoosiers (Game 5)

2016 OSU Opponent Ranking: 9 out of 12

Players Recruited By Ohio State: OL Tim Gardner, DB Tyler Green, and DB Jayme Thompson. Gardner was signed as part of Ohio State’s 2013 recruiting class, but left the program after a disciplinary incident in the summer of 2013. Gardner played in eleven games for Indiana in 2015. Tyler Green could technically be considered recruited by Ohio State, yet did not sign with Ohio State in 2015. Green played in eight games as a true freshman for Indiana in 2015. Jayme Thompson was also part of Ohio State’s 2013 recruiting class, like Tim Gardner. Thompson redshirted in 2013, transferred after the 2013 season to Iowa Western C.C. for 2014 and 2015, and signed with Indiana for the 2016 season.

Game Date: October 8, 2016

Kickoff Time: TBA

Location: Ohio Stadium

Rationale For The Ranking: Truth be told, I struggled with where to place Indiana on this opponent ranking. Think about how the games against Indiana have gone since Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer took over the program in 2012 – A nailbiter that went down to the wire in Bloomington in 2012, 52-49. Ohio State rolled Indiana in Ohio Stadium in 2013, 42-14. Ohio State has to rally behind Jalin Marshall’s performance in 2014, 42-27. Ohio State survives Indiana last year in Bloomington, 34-27. Why not rank Indiana higher?

Here is why – Nate Sudfeld and Jordan Howard have both departed Indiana for the NFL. While Indiana returns quarterback Zander Diamont, who tormented the Buckeyes last season, I believe Ohio State will have too much on both sides of the ball for Indiana to be able to keep pace as they have in recent seasons.

Prediction: Ohio State will be coming off a home game versus Rutgers, and will be tempted to be looking ahead to two tough road trips on the horizon with Wisconsin and Penn State. Even with the road trips looming, Coach Meyer and his staff will be able to remind his players about Ohio State has had extremely tough, close calls against the Hoosiers, and I believe Ohio State will come out with a more focused approach more like the 2013 game than the 2014 or 2015 contests.

Previous Rankings:

10- Rutgers
11- Bowling Green
12- Tulsa

Filed Under: Ohio State Football Tagged With: ,

2016 Ohio State Spring Football Conclusions

April 22, 2016 by Leave a Comment

“Almost everything that is great has been done by youth…” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

For the past couple months, beginning in February, every Friday at 8am EST has begun with this quote on this site. I have written about what I perceived concerns about various position groups, and it culminated in a glorious 2016 Ohio State Spring Game on April 16th in Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer must be pleased with one crucial area as it relates to spring football – the Buckeyes left the spring game with no injuries that could impact the 2016 season. Fifth-year senior running back Bri’onte Dunn did not play in the spring game with a sprained ankle, but will be back in the mix for the starting running back spot for fall camp.

Showing my age, I can vividly recall Ohio State spring game performances that were tremendous, yet did not translate into fall game production. It is important to keep things in proper perspective. With those caveats in mind, below are three distinct impressions that were made upon me as I sat in D Deck of Ohio Stadium…

1. The 2016 Ohio State Defensive Line Will Rotate Frequently ~ Yes, Ohio State was playing as many offensive and defensive linemen as possible in the spring game. It was challenging for either the Gray’s or Scarlet’s offensive lines to protect Joe Burrow or Stephen Collier whenever either was playing quarterback. With all of that on the table, the defensive linemen who have been waiting in the wings used the spring game as an opportunity to show what they could do if given the opportunity. For example, I don’t want to call him a sleeper, but Jashon Cornell, a moved defensive end to defensive tackle, seemed to emerge during the spring game.

On a somber note, Donovan Munger’s Ohio State career has come to an end, due to health concerns. Best of luck to Munger in all of his future endeavors, and many thanks for all of his contributions to Ohio State football…

For the first time since Coach Meyer came to Columbus in 2012, Ohio State has so many defensive linemen that will allow Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson to continually refresh players who will be able to harass the opposition’s quarterback. Think about this – Nick Bosa is not yet on campus, and Coach Meyer has stated Bosa will play in 2016.

2. Do Not Sweat J.T. Barrett’s 2016 Spring Game Performance ~ J.T. Barrett had an uneven day during the spring game, but there were several extenuating circumstances that impacted his performance. First of all, Barrett wore a black jersey that did not allow him to scramble or face contact. As stated up above, the offensive line was more of a ragtag collection, with projected starters Pat Elflein and Billy Price being withheld from competition. And projected starters Noah Brown and Corey Smith did not play this spring as both are still recuperating from their respective 2015 injuries.

Did Barrett make some throws in the 2016 spring game that were puzzling? Absolutely. Do I believe Barrett would have made those same throws in actual game competition? Absolutely not. Look at Barrett’s spring game as someone who was dealt some specific restrictions, and was testing the boundaries of what was possible, with a mandate to avoid injury at all costs. Look for Barrett to come out impressively against BGSU on September 3rd looking more like his typical self.

3. The 2016 Team Will Continue To Improve Every Week ~ It bears repeating, but with so many young players, the competition for playing time will be fierce and continuous all year long. Will inexperience sometimes be frustrating, especially in the secondary? Without question. The game at Oklahoma in week three will be must-watch TV for not just Ohio State and Oklahoma fans, but the nation –

Don’t take my word for it; go back and listen to the podcast link that included Clair Crawford. Read my man Tony Gerdeman’s thoughts on Ohio State following the spring game. Remember that I wrote this in April – this is going to be a team that will be feared by the end of the 2016 season.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2016 Ohio State Spring Football Preview: Youth Will Be Served, Early And Often – Safety Preview

April 15, 2016 by Leave a Comment

“Almost everything that is great has been done by youth…” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

Ohio State began spring football practice on March 8th. Heading into the 2016 college football season, Ohio State will have 44 players on its roster designated as either a redshirt freshman (21 of the 25 players signed in February 2015), or a true freshman. For a roster that can have only 85 scholarship players, Ohio State will have around 52% of its roster with no playing time experience. As former Ohio State Head Coach John Cooper used to say, “If a dog is going to bite you, it will bite you as a pup.”.

For the next several weeks, I will be writing position group previews, leading up to the Ohio State Spring Football Game in Ohio Stadium on April 16th, 2016. These position groups will be ranked, from least to most concern, as I perceive them. It is entirely possible that my concerns, as well as the coaching staff’s concerns, will be reevaluated after the spring game.

1st – Safety

Players Lost – Tyvis Powell, Vonn Bell. Both players had eligibility remaining, and both decided to forego a final year as Buckeyes to enter the 2016 NFL Draft. Say what you want about either player, but Powell and Bell were steady veteran players at the last line of defense.

Returning Players/Incoming Players – Malik Hooker (Redshirt Sophomore), Damon Webb (Junior), Erick Smith (Junior), Cam Burrows (Redshirt Junior), Eric Glover-Williams (Sophomore).

A few things to keep in mind as it relates to this position group…

· Damon Webb has been moved to safety this spring, after primarily playing as the nickel cornerback. This may be a move to get the talented Webb on the field by new secondary coach Greg Schiano.

· Webb’s move may also be a concession to the fact that both Erick Smith and Cam Burrows, both with playing experience, are still recovering from injuries that derailed their respective 2015 seasons.

· The same could be said for Eric Glover-Williams, who has seen time at safety this spring. Glover-Williams is listed at 5’9″, 175 lbs., which may be better suited for cornerback.

· If there is anyone who seems to be a lock to start at safety in 2016, it is redshirt sophomore Malik Hooker. Hooker has never started, but played more and more in spot duty in 2015.

· Reinforcements are on the way, but will not arrive until the summer. Players such as Jahsen Wint, Rodjay Burns, and Jordan Fuller may all get long looks at safety during fall camp. The point I am making is all of these players are true freshmen, and untested on the college level.

These questions, among others, have been on my mind, as Ohio State concludes spring practice with the Ohio State Spring Game on April 16th. Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer hopes to have at least 100,000 fans in Ohio Stadium. Let’s not disappoint him, Buckeye fans.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2016 Ohio State Spring Football Preview: Youth Will Be Served, Early And Often – DT Preview

April 1, 2016 by Leave a Comment

“Almost everything that is great has been done by youth…” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

Ohio State began spring football practice on March 8th. Heading into the 2016 college football season, Ohio State will have 44 players on its roster designated as either a redshirt freshman (21 of the 25 players signed in February 2015), or a true freshman. For a roster that can have only 85 scholarship players, Ohio State will have around 52% of its roster with no playing time experience. As former Ohio State Head Coach John Cooper used to say, “If a dog is going to bite you, it will bite you as a pup.”.

For the next several weeks, I will be writing position group previews, leading up to the Ohio State Spring Football Game in Ohio Stadium on April 16th, 2016. These position groups will be ranked, from least to most concern, as I perceive them. It is entirely possible that my concerns, as well as the coaching staff’s concerns, will be reevaluated after the spring game.

3rd – Defensive Tackle

Players Lost – Adolphus Washington, Tommy Schutt, Joel Hale. Say what you want about how it ended, but Ohio State lost a great deal of experience and dependability when Washington, Schutt, and Hale all exhausted their eligibility as Buckeyes.

Returning Players/Incoming Players – Malik Barrow (Freshman), Jashon Cornell (Redshirt Freshman), Michael Hill (Redshirt Junior), Dre’Mont Jones (Redshirt Freshman), Donovan Munger (Redshirt Junior), Tracy Sprinkle (Redshirt Junior), Dylan Thompson (Redshirt Sophomore), Joshua Alabi (Redshirt Freshman), Davon Hamilton (Redshirt Freshman), Robert Landers (Redshirt Freshman).

A few things to keep in mind as it relates to this position group…

· The 2016 Fiesta Bowl actually gave Ohio State coaches and the fans a glimpse at what the 2016 season would be like, without the aforementioned Washington, Schutt, and Hale. Michael Hill, Donovan Munger, and Tracy Sprinkle all seem poised to rotate at these interior defensive line spots. With teams such as Oklahoma and Wisconsin on the schedule in 2016, teams that can and have run the ball effectively between the tackles, having a strong interior defensive line is a must for the Buckeyes. Nothing can be more discouraging for a defense than to have the opposing team be able to run the ball at will, killing the clock, while maintaining possession. Hill, Munger, and Sprinkle will all need to rise to the occasion for the Buckeyes this season. The lack of experienced depth at this position is why I have ranked defensive tackle third in my concerns of most pressing questions for the Buckeyes this spring.

· If there is a player along the interior defensive line I am most anxious to see in the upcoming spring game on April 16th, it is Robert Landers. Landers was a later addition to the 2015 recruiting class, and did not play at all in 2015. Landers nearly played in 2015, but was able to be withheld from game action.

· Ohio State has moved Dre’Mont Jones and Jashon Cornell from defensive end to the interior defensive line positions this spring. Just like Robert Landers, neither Jones or Cornell played in 2015. Jones redshirted due to a knee injury sustained in high school basketball, so it will bear watching to see how much, if any, that he plays in the upcoming spring game on April 16th.

· Malik Barrow is an early enrollee at defensive line, participating in spring practices. Barrow sustained a knee injury in high school that may impact how much, if any, that he will play in the spring game on April 16th.

· Davon Hamilton seems to have caught the eye of Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer in a positve light ~

· If there is a player who seems to be in the doghouse of the coaches, Dylan Thompson may qualify. Thompson redshirted his freshman season in 2014, due to a knee injury. Thompson did not play in 2015, and seems to be in the now or never mode of making a move on the depth chart. When asked about Thompson, Urban Meyer stated his desire of Thompson as spring practices began was “do something. Underline that, do something.”. That does not sound like an endorsement bathed in warmth and love from the head coach.

These questions, among others, have been on my mind, as Ohio State resumed spring practice on March 22nd.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2016 Ohio State Spring Football Preview: Youth Will Be Served, Early And Often – CB Preview

March 11, 2016 by Leave a Comment

“Almost everything that is great has been done by youth…” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

Ohio State began spring football practice on March 8th. Heading into the 2016 college football season, Ohio State will have 44 players on its roster designated as either a redshirt freshman (21 of the 25 players signed in February 2015), or a true freshman. For a roster that can have only 85 scholarship players, Ohio State will have around 52% of its roster with no playing time experience. As former Ohio State Head Coach John Cooper used to say, “If a dog is going to bite you, it will bite you as a pup.”.

For the next several weeks, I will be writing position group previews, leading up to the Ohio State Spring Football Game in Ohio Stadium on April 16th, 2016. These position groups will be ranked, from least to most concern, as I perceive them. It is entirely possible that my concerns, as well as the coaching staff’s concerns, will be reevaluated after the spring game.

6th – Cornerback

Player Lost – Eli Apple. Apple declared for the 2016 NFL Draft, giving up two years of eligibility. While Apple did not have as strong a season in 2015 as he did in 2014, Apple was well-regarded by the Ohio State coaching staff.

Returning Players/Incoming Players – Gareon Conley (Redshirt Junior), Damon Webb (Junior), Marshon Lattimore (Redshirt Sophomore), Denzel Ward (Sophomore), Eric Glover-Williams (Sophomore), Damon Arnette (Redshirt Freshman), Joshua Norwood (Redshirt Freshman).

A few things to keep in mind as it relates to this position group…

· Gareon Conley is a returning starter at one cornerback. Conley demonstrated throughout the course of the 2015 season that he was quite capable at handling the position – in 2014, at Michigan State, Conley struggled, requiring Apple to come off the bench and play, despite Apple battling an injury at the time. In many respects, Conley had a better 2015 season than Apple.

· The other cornerback position seems to be suiting up to be a battle between Damon Webb, Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward, and Eric Glover-Williams. Webb was suspended for part of 2015, but played in nickel coverage when the suspension was lifted. It is possible Webb could also get a look at one of the vacant safety spots. Lattimore has battled injuries in both 2014 and 2015 – will Lattimore’s hamstring injuries allow him to remain in the mix as a possible starter? Denzel Ward and Eric Glover-Williams both played as true freshmen in 2015, primarily on special teams. Ward has been mentioned by Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer as a possible starter at the vacant cornerback spot. Glover-Williams was running at one of the safety spots, as spring practice began.

· Neither Damon Arnette nor Joshua Norwood have played so far as Buckeyes. Both players redshirted in 2015. Both Arnette and Norwood will want to use the spring practices to their advantage, as…

· Reinforcements are on the way, but will not arrive until the summer. Ohio State signed five defensive backs in the 2016 recruiting class (Rodjay Burns, Wayne Davis, Kareem Felder, Jordan Fuller, Jahsen Wint). Of these five, only Wint has been listed as a safety. It is entirely possible one of these players could get a look at the cornerback position, depending upon how the spring practices shake out.

These questions, among others, have been on my mind, as Ohio State spring practice began on March 8th.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2016 Ohio State Spring Football Preview: Youth Will Be Served, Early And Often – TE Preview

March 4, 2016 by Leave a Comment

“Almost everything that is great has been done by youth…” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

Ohio State will begin spring football practice on March 8th. Heading into the 2016 college football season, Ohio State will have 44 players on its roster designated as either a redshirt freshman (21 of the 25 players signed in February 2015), or a true freshman. For a roster that can have only 85 scholarship players, Ohio State will have around 52% of its roster with no playing time experience. As former Ohio State Head Coach John Cooper used to say, “If a dog is going to bite you, it will bite you as a pup.”.

For the next several weeks, I will be writing position group previews, leading up to the Ohio State Spring Football Game in Ohio Stadium on April 16th, 2016. These position groups will be ranked, from least to most concern, as I perceive them. It is entirely possible that my concerns, as well as the coaching staff’s concerns, will be reevaluated after the spring game.

7th – Tight End

Player Lost – Nick Vannett. Vannett exhausted his eligibility, and is preparing for the 2016 NFL Draft. Even though Vannett did not have as strong a senior season as he would have liked, Vannett had 19 receptions for 162 yards. Compare and contrast that to Marcus Baugh, who had 2 receptions for 32 yards, with the longest reception (27 yards) coming in The 2016 Battlefrog Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame.

Returning Players/Incoming Players – Marcus Baugh (Redshirt Senior), A.J. Alexander (Redshirt Freshman), Rashod Berry (Redshirt Freshman).

A few things to keep in mind as it relates to this position group…

· Marcus Baugh is the starter, almost by default. Baugh enters the 2016 season with a career total of 3 receptions for 34 yards, and one touchdown. That is three more receptions and one more touchdown than any other scholarship tight end on the Ohio State roster. Baugh has had numerous off the field issues in the past. The coaching staff has maintained their patience with Baugh, and Baugh seems poised to conclude his Ohio State career as a starter in 2016.

· Neither A.J. Alexander or Rashod Berry played in 2015. Considering Alexander was coming off an injury sustained during his senior year of high school, and how Berry split time at multiple positions in high school, it is no surprise why Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer was reluctant to play either player in 2015.

· Reinforcements are on the way, but will not arrive until the summer. Ohio State signed three tight ends in Luke Farrell, Jake Hausmann, and Kierre Hawkins, but none of these players will be in the mix during spring practice. For both Alexander and Berry, the spring practices will be essential. Alexander and Berry will want to secure their positions on the depth chart, before any of the freshmen tight ends arrive on campus.

These questions, among others, will be on my mind once Ohio State spring practice begins March 8th.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

2017 Prospect Interview – Tyjon Lindsey

February 26, 2016 by Leave a Comment

After the great haul of wide receivers in the 2016 recruiting class, Ohio State is looking to keep adding talent at the position. Tyjon Lindsey is a high-profile recruit out of Centennial HS in California. He’s a versatile athlete who models his game after former Oregon Duck and current Kansas City Chief D’Anthony Thomas. Lindsey holds offers from Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M, as well as Oregon and a few other west coast schools. Right now, he’s crystal balled to Texas A&M, where he would join his current former high school Tate Martell. There’s still hope the Buckeyes will snag this composite four-star recruit, and he would be a welcome addition to the Ohio State #Zone6.

Lindsey recently transferred from Bishop Gorman in Nevada, where he was teammates with Martell and current Buckeye commit Haskell Garrett. “I’m very close friends with [Haskell]. We used to have sleep overs and hang out outside of school when I went to Gorman,” Lindsey says. He admits both Garrett and Martell have been trying to convince him to join them at their respective schools, but he assures me, “All in all, its [sic] going to come down to me making the decision for me.”

Relationships matter the most for Lindsey in regards to Ohio State. Mark Pantoni is his primary recruiter, but he has daily group chats with coaches Zach Smith and Urban Meyer as well. It means a lot to him that the coaches make him “feel needed more than wanted.” “[The coaches at Ohio State] are one of the only schools who know my story, and I feel comfortable telling them it.” Lindsey wants to feel at home at his school, and Ohio State will undoubtedly put on its best hospitality when he visits in March. Don’t expect a firm commitment any time soon though, because he still plans on taking his visits to other schools and exploring his options.  If he does decide to be a Buckeye, Lindsey might consider enrolling early to participate in spring practices, but he’s “not 100% sure about that just yet.”

Even though he’s a star on the field, Lindsey’s just like every other teenager off it. He enjoys hanging out with his friends, running, going to the gym, watching movies – “you know, the simple things kids do nowadays.” Most kids don’t have to juggle school, friends, and sports while fielding offers from top universities however. Lindsey is confident though. “The recruiting process is getting hectic, but [it’s] nothing I can’t handle.”

Filed Under: Ohio State Football Tagged With: , , , , ,

2016 Ohio State Spring Football Preview: Youth Will Be Served, Early And Often – LB Preview

February 26, 2016 by Leave a Comment

“Almost everything that is great has been done by youth…” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

Ohio State will begin spring football practice on March 8th. Heading into the 2016 college football season, Ohio State will have 44 players on its roster designated as either a redshirt freshman (21 of the 25 players signed in February 2015), or a true freshman. For a roster that can have only 85 scholarship players, Ohio State will have around 52% of its roster with no playing time experience. As former Ohio State Head Coach John Cooper used to say, “If a dog is going to bite you, it will bite you as a pup.”.

For the next several weeks, I will be writing position group previews, leading up to the Ohio State Spring Football Game in Ohio Stadium on April 16th, 2016. These position groups will be ranked, from least to most concern, as I perceive them. It is entirely possible that my concerns, as well as the coaching staff’s concerns, will be reevaluated after the spring game.

8th – Linebacker

Players Lost – Joshua Perry, Darron Lee, Cam Williams, and Kyle Berger. Perry exhausted his eligibility, and was a solid, dependable two year starter at outside linebacker. Lee was also a two year starter at outside linebacker, and declared early for the 2016 NFL Draft, with two years of eligibility remaining as a redshirt sophomore. Williams exhausted his eligibility as a four year contributor, primarily upon special teams duty. Berger was forced to give up football this winter, due to a recurring knee injury that never fully recovered from his high school career.

Returning Players/Incoming Players – Jerome Baker (Sophomore), Dante Booker (Junior), Joe Burger (Senior), Nick Conner (Redshirt Freshman), Craig Fada (Senior), Justin Hilliard (Redshirt Freshman), Raekwon McMillan (Junior), Chris Worley (Redshirt Junior), Tuf Borland (Freshman).

A few things to keep in mind as it relates to this position group…

· Raekwon McMillan is a lock to start at middle linebacker, barring unforeseen injury. If McMillan was unable to play, this position group would rank higher in my estimated concerns. McMillan has already been designated a captain by Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer. McMillan will be strongly depended upon by the coaching staff to steady this position group during the initial phases of the 2016 season.

· Dante Booker seems to be the leading candidate to replace Joshua Perry at the Will linebacker position. Booker has played primarily on special teams in 2014 and 2015, and now is his opportunity to rise up and seize the job at Will linebacker.

· The battle to watch seems to be at the Sam linebacker spot between rising sophomore Jerome Baker and rising redshirt junior Chris Worley. Baker seems to be the favorite, but fans would be wise to remember that Worley gave Darron Lee a run for the job two seasons ago, and will not want to remain on the bench.

· Justin Hilliard and Nick Conner were among the highly-touted 2015 recruiting class. Hilliard and Conner both redshirted due to injuries. Will either be able to make a move, with two positions open at linebacker?

· Joe Burger and Craig Fada were both awarded scholarships for the spring by Coach Meyer. Will either be able to move beyond special teams duty this spring?

· Tuf Borland was an early enrollee this January. Can Borland show enough this spring to warrant a look for playing time this fall?

These questions, among others, will be on my mind once Ohio State spring practice begins March 8th.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Next Page »