CPD
Competition stiff on Ohio State's No. 1 defense
Thursday, January 17, 2008Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus -- Ohio State's No. 1-ranked defense is losing two starters in senior linebacker Larry Grant and junior defensive end Vernon Gholston. But the Buckeyes will throw three formerly injured regulars back into the mix, so maybe a 12-man lineup is the way to go next year.
With nine starters back, there will be 181 games of starting experience among 16 different returning players. With so few spots open, players who have been biding their time will find it hard to punch their way into the lineup.
Two players forced to red shirt by injuries, defensive end Lawrence Wilson (broken leg) and linebacker Ross Ho man (torn foot tendons), are the leading contenders to take over for Gholston and Grant. But linebacker Curtis Terry, who started three games in 2006 before sitting out all of this season with a foot injury, also will be back as a fifth-year senior.
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