Offense:
Quarterbacks: Write JT Barrett in at the number one QB spot
in black permanent marker. Barring injuries, JT will add to his already many
OSU career passing records. JT is battle tested and will thrive under the
tutelage of Ryan Day and Kevin Wilson. JT performs better with tempo and he
will look more like the 2014 model than the 2015, and 2016 models. One
important thing to note is that JT has already graduated and is taking a few
online classes this season. He can devote many more hours to his craft, unencumbered
by a busy course schedule.
JT will be backed up by Joey Burrow and Dwayne Haskins. To
be honest, I have no clue who will be the backup yet. I would give the slight
edge to Joey Burrow who has more game experience and command of the offense,
but Haskins is no slouch. Look for Tate Martell to redshirt.
Matthew Burrell with a throng of admirers at Friday Night
Lights:
Running Back: Mike Weber will look to add to his solid
number s last season. He is stronger and faster and will look to improve his
pass catching as well to prepare himself for the NFL. Number two running back
right now appears to be JK Dobbins but Demario McCall is no slouch either, and
Antonio Williams will be in the mix after being slowed somewhat with injuries.
H back: Look for Parris Campbell to take over in the newly
christened, “Curtis Samuel position.” I could see Demario McCall working in
here as well, when not at running back. KJ Hill and Eric Glover Williams will
add needed depth.
Receivers: Kevin Wilson wants 8 receivers to be game ready,
so Zach Smith will be charged with making this happen. Urban Meyer said this
class has the highest work ethic and character he has ever seen so the ceiling
is high. Receivers look to be Terry McLaurin, KJ Hill and Johnnie Dixon as long
as he can remain healthy (praying for you young man). Bin Victor and Austin
Mack are right in the mix as well, they just need to demonstrate more
consistency. Talented freshmen Jaylen Harris and Trevon Grimes look to be the
wildcards who can play the outside and inside positions.
Tight Ends: Marcus Baugh will have a firm grasp on the tight
end position as long as he stays healthy (He had a walking boot on at cam but
that appears to be more precautionary). Jake Hausmann and Luke Farrell will
battle for the backup spot. The general feeling is that Luke Farrell may have a
slight lead but we will know more after Saturdays scrimmage.
Defense:
Defensive Line: This is the strongest position on the team
and games are usually always won in the trenches. Larry Johnson returns a
plethora of lineman including his famed Rush Man package of Nick Bosa, Sam
Hubbard, Tyquan Lewis and Sam Hubbard. It gets a little murky after that. The
nose guard Michael Hill is suspended indefinitely. Any combination of Tracy
Sprinkle, Dre’mont Jones, Nick Bosa, Sam Hubbard, Jalyn Holmes and Tyquan Lewis
will fill out the rest of the D-Line with Chase Young and Johnathan Cooper
providing depth.
Larry Johnson looking over his Rushmen group: Photo Courtesy of @AndrewMLind at www.elevenwarriors.com
Linebackers: The Bucks appear to be solid at linebacker with
Chris Worley shifting to middle linebacker, and Dante Booker and Jerome Baker
filling out the two outside linebacker spots. Justin Hilliard, Keiondre Jones,
and Malik Harrison will provide depth as well. The strong defensive line should
give the linebackers ample opportunity to fill the gaps in run support and pass
defense if needed. The linebackers won’t need to take a lot of chances with
such a strong D Line in front; but Schiano and Davis will assuredly have the
linebackers attacking and aggressive, while maintaining sound gap
integrity. Billy Davis’ corps will not
miss a step as he continues to mold them into the key middle chamber of the
Silver Bullets.
Cornerbacks: Denzel Ward was a de facto starter last season
as he was heavily involved in Kerry Coombs cornerback rotation. There is a good
chance Ward will be the next first round NFL draft pick churned out by Coach
Coombs. Damon Arnette looks to be the next corner besides Ward. JUCO transfer
and former five star cornerback prospect Kendall Sheffield will look to be
heavily involved in Coombs rotation, perhaps even more than Ward was last year. 5 star corners Shaun Wade and Jeffrey Okudah
will look to make an impact on special teams, but may be too talented to keep
on the sidelines.
Safeties: Damon Webb appears to have the first safety spot
locked down and Jordan Fuller and Erick Smith are battling it out for the
second safety spot. I’m leaning towards Jordan Fuller capturing that second
spot with Erick Smith in the mix as well (though he has been battling injury).
Schiano may opt to rotate the safeties more like Coombs does with his corners. Jahsen
Wint will be available as well.
Special Teams:
Field Goal Kicker: Sean Nuernberger looks to be the starting
field goal kicker.
Punter: Drue Chrisman looks to be on the fast track to lock
down the starting punter position. It will certainly be different not having an
Australian rugby style punter back there anymore.
Kick Returner: Parris Campbell Jr. has this spot nailed down
Punt Returner: KJ Hill, Kendall Sheffield, and Demario
McCall will all battle for the return duties but it’s too early to project the
starter. Whoever has the best hands and ball security will probably win the
job. My vote is for Demario McCall.
The situation is fluid and the depth chart will likely have
some changes as we approach the season opener. We will certainly know more after
the Buckeyes scrimmage on Saturday and I will revisit the position battles
before the first game, so stay tuned. Let’s turn our attention now towards one
of the great traditions Urban Meyer has brought with him and implemented at
Ohio State, players losing their Black Stripe.
Losing Your Stripes:
At OSU, winning is everything. However, the freshman at OSU
don’t earn their stripes, they lose them. According to an article on stack.com,
When Urban Meyer coached at Bowling Green he introduced the practice of having
all freshmen members of the team wear a thin, black strip on their helmets.
Freshman had to take care of business both on the field, in the class room, and
in the community to have their black stripe removed. Meyer told the Columbus
Dispatch, “I wanted to put them through a ritual to become a member of the
team, but not to allow hazing and silly, dangerous stuff. They had to earn the
right on the football field and by being accountable.” (Losing Your Black
Stripe: inside One of Ohio State Football’s Coolest Traditions, Stack.com, Aug.
19, 2016)
An upperclassman adopts a freshman and cultivates this
spirit of accountability. When the
freshman has shown that he has earned the right to lose his black stripe, a
ceremony is held. It’s a cause for celebration.
In this current recruiting age we live in, where top
prospects are wined and dined and showered with adulation and praise, oftentimes
they need “de-recruited.” The black stripe tradition aids in this de-recruiting
process and fosters accountability and cohesion between the young Bucks and
their veteran mentors. The tradition of the Black Stripe looks to be joining a
long list of time honored Buckeye traditions such as Buckeye leafs on the
helmet and singing Carmen Ohio after every game.
A look ahead:
This year, age is no longer an excuse. As Urban Meyer so
eloquently put it in his presser, “Last year, we were the youngest team in
college football, and this year, we’re not.” OSU has a solid mix of returning
veterans and an extremely talented group of freshman, and sophomores. With the
addition of a new Offensive Coordinator, QB coach, and Linebackers coach, the
team is filled with quiet optimism as they are poised to make a run for the
playoffs and to hoist that national trophy again. Freshmen are champing at the bit to shed
their black stripe and contribute in any way they can, whether it be in the rotation
or on special teams. I also have a strong feeling that new offensive
coordinator Kevin Wilson is looking to unleash holy wrath on his former team in
Bloomington.
Until next time,
Nicholas Jackson
Copyright 2017 Nicholas Jackson - All rights reserved.
Copyright 2017 Nicholas Jackson - All rights reserved.
Originally appeared in @TWSSBuckeyeblog
Nick is a 1997 graduate of Ohio University, in Athens, Ohio where he received his B.S in Biological Sciences. He went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy at Andrews University in Dayton, Ohio and then his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chatham University in Pittsburgh. He has been published in the Newark Advocate, The Granville Sentinel, and the St. Louis Metro Voice; and professionally in the Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy. Nick has also been a guest host on 88.9 WLRY and 880AM WRFD
Permission to reprint article required from author
Nick’s email: gobucks2204@gmail.comPermission to reprint article required from author
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