Projected 2007 Buckeyes Roster

[apwessen]

Here is my projections for next year's lineup. A lot is going to depend on those leaving and staying and a lot will depend on the recruits coming in. I am heavily flustered about the defense and the front 4. Who's going to start at the two spots left open by Patterson and Pitcock? These are only my guesses.

OFFENSE
QB: Rob Schoenhoft(SO) A lot of this is going to come down to who works harder and looks better in practice between him and Boeckman. I know Boeckman is the more experienced, but I still see Schoenhoft winning this battle. He has better size and I like his swagger.
RB: Beanie Wells(SO) (Pittman is most likely going pro.) Showed some great strides from beginning to end of the season. Must work on his fumble-itis, but the other options? A true freshman or Maurice Wells. Easy choice here.
FB: Aram Olson(SO) Olson was a top FB recruit last year and will be taking over Stan White's spot. He has ideal size and I hear he is a great blocker. He is really the only choice her, I think.
WR1: Brian Robiskie(JR) He came on strong and had a great year. I am assuming that Ginn will go pro, if not Ginn will be #1, obviously. Robiskie should be solid and get a lot of balls his way.
WR2: Brian Hartline(SO) Very young. Redshirt Freshman this year. I know him personally and he is very eager for this shot. Should be a solid receiver, and develop into a good possesion receiver.
WR3: Albert Dukes(JR)/Ray Small(SO) This will come down to spring practices too. Ray Small got flattened this season in a game, so it will be interesting to see him play after he gets back. Dukes will probably win the battle due to being more experienced. Both are very fast and remind me of a track star more than a receiver.
TE1: Rory Nicol(JR) He shouldn't lose his position, he played pretty solidly.
TE2: Jake Ballard(SO) Probably the biggest TE I've ever seen at OSU. He is 6'7" and should provide a big target for Schoenhoft.
OT: Kirk Barton(SR) Was contemplating the NFL, but after the championship game, I can't see that happening. He will be a solid top 5 O-Lineman.
OT: Alex Boone(JR) Must improve his play from the championship game, but I see no one who could take his spot.
OG: Connor Smith(SO) I saw this guy in high school and he is a beast. He doesn't quite have the size of Boone and Barton, so I see him as a Guard. This is a wildcard, however. This spot could go to anyone.
OG: Ben Person(JR)/Kyle Mitchum(JR) Both posses good size and are going to be Juniors next year. Wildcard spots, just like Connor Smith.
OC: Jim Cordle(SO) Whaley seems like a better choice right now, but Whaley is too undersized. Cordle has 3 inches and 25 pounds on Whaley and I see that winning.

Defense
DE: Vernon Gholston(JR) This kids arms are massive. He had a solid national championship game and will be a big force next year.
DT: Sion Cotton(SR) Oldest DT on the roster, I don't see anyone being able to overtake his experience on the team.
DT: Nader Abdallah(JR) Will be a junior and has impressive size, should get him in the starting lineup.
DE: Robert Rose(SO) This kid is going to be amazing. He was a top DE recruit and a Glenville stud. I can definitely see him getting the starting nod as a Sophomore.
OLB: Marcus Freeman(JR) Expect him to get even more playing time than last year. Made some key plays all year, including the Texas game.
MLB: James Lauranaitis(JR) Is everywhere on the field. Should amass well over 100 tackles next year.
OLB: Ross Homan(SO) Not sure if he will play OLB, but I see him getting some serious playing time. He did well with backup duty this year.
CB: Malcolm Jenkins(JR) Was ranked in the top 5 of CBs at the beginning of the year and shouldn't be any different this year. I just hope he stays for his senior season.
CB: Donald Washington(SO)/Kurt Coleman(SO) Washington was somewhat of a Nickelback corner this year. Coleman played on special teams and as a backup and Nickelback corner. This could go either way. I'm rooting for Coleman though, because he's my bud.
S: Jamario O'Neal(JR) Got the nod this year and shouldn't lose his spot.
S: Eugene Clifford(FR) I think he will show why Cincinnati is a hot spot for high school recruits. Should be very impressive.

Special Teams
K: Aaron Pettrey(SO) I don't see him losing his job after a good season.
P: AJ Trapasso(JR) Should be a four year starter.
Return: Maurice Wells(JR) I don't like him here, but it is where he will end up.
Return: Brandon Saine(FR) This kid has amazing speed. If he can make people miss in the open field, he could be our new Mr. Excitement.
Return: Ray Small(SO) Impressive speed, I would love to see him here.

Captains
Offense - Kirk Barton, Chris Wells, Alex Boone
Defense - Vernon Gholston, Malcolm Jenkins, James Lauranaitis

Possible Surprises
Thaddeus Gibson and Larry Grant could be good additions to the linebacking crew and get good minutes.
Grant Schwartz was red-shirted this year. He is an athlete listed as a safety on the roster. He played QB at high school and could be a solid QB player down the line. I know him personally and he is one of the fastest people I know.
Ray Small looks to me like a really great player of the future. I love his play.

[zBuckeye10z]

if thats our starters for offense then next year, but the year after looks like we would be dangerous with no seniors on next years team

[jwinslow]

I think you'd find this thread to be useful
http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum/s...889#post715889

Olson is not the only option at FB... Johnson & Robinson also return.
Starting OG Steve Rehring?
Cotton has not been on the team for a while
Abdallah has struggled a lot here at OSU (hopefully he puts it together this offseason)
O'Neal only got the nod after Russell was injured.

[martinss01]

solid list. but below is where i disagree with you:

Originally Posted by apwessen

OFFENSE
QB: Rob Schoenhoft(SO) A lot of this is going to come down to who works harder and looks better in practice between him and Boeckman. I know Boeckman is the more experienced, but I still see Schoenhoft winning this battle. He has better size and I like his swagger.

not really a disagreement here as it wouldn't be surprising if show won the qb position right out of spring ball. but i think boeckman has the inside track so far.

FB

: Aram Olson(SO) Olson was a top FB recruit last year and will be taking over Stan White's spot. He has ideal size and I hear he is a great blocker. He is really the only choice her, I think.

dionte johnson will be a senior i believe and will likely get the call. he's played rather well and imo olson will need a very good spring to overtake him. possible, but i wouldn't bet on it.

Defense

OLB: Marcus Freeman(JR)

Expect him to get even more playing time than last year. Made some key plays all year, including the Texas game.
MLB: James Lauranaitis(JR) Is everywhere on the field. Should amass well over 100 tackles next year.
OLB: Ross Homan(SO) Not sure if he will play OLB, but I see him getting some serious playing time. He did well with backup duty this year.

if i were making this list i would have done the exact same thing. but i expect curtis terry to find his way onto the field on a consistent basis and very possibly as a starter. its going to be very interesting to see what the coaching staff does with that group because there is a ton of talent and potential.

CB: Donald Washington(SO)/Kurt Coleman(SO)

Washington was somewhat of a Nickelback corner this year. Coleman played on special teams and as a backup and Nickelback corner. This could go either way. I'm rooting for Coleman though, because he's my bud.

washington played very well this season. its gonna be tough for anyone to beat him out. id be really surprised if he doesn't start opposite jenkins next season barring injury.

S: Eugene Clifford(FR)

I think he will show why Cincinnati is a hot spot for high school recruits. Should be very impressive.

he has an outside shot at a starting safety spot. o'neil progressed as the season went on. but as i watched him i found myself complimenting him the same way over and over again. "wow, that kid is really talented". but i don't recall ever thinking, "wow, that kid plays that position really well". i have all the confidence in the world in o'neil and he certainly progressed throughout the year. but if clifford is going to find a spot on the starting d it's going to be at o'neil's expense. so long as russell comes back with the same ability he had pre injury, he all but has a starting spot locked.

Captains

Offense - Kirk Barton, Chris Wells, Alex Boone
Defense - Vernon Gholston, Malcolm Jenkins, James Lauranaitis

like the list, but underclassmen won't be captains imo. all the guys who would have been locks at team captain have all left . personally i would venture to guess guys like barton and johnson have good shots at being the offensive captains. defense... adballah or terry maybe and an outside pick for someone who doesn't play as prominent a role on starting d could have a legit shot this year.
my extremely uneducated guesses-
offense: barton, johnson
defense: terry, abdallah

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

Olson didn't redshirt this year??

What about Lawrence Wilson at DE?

[Bucky Katt]

Originally Posted by martinss01

defense... adballah or terry maybe and an outside pick for someone who doesn't play as prominent a role on starting d would be my guess. a chad hoobler or lukens could have a shot to make captain.

My sources indicate that there is no way that Chad Hoobler is a captain next year.

[martinss01]

Originally Posted by Bucky Katt

My sources indicate that there is no way that Chad Hoobler is a captain next year.

i said "outside shot"... he could show up for the coin flip and then head back to ashland for his game .

i had no idea he had transfered. shows what i know :P.

[OsUPhAn]

OFFENSE

QB: Boeckman- Like most have said he has the inside track because of how long he has been in the program. I think he wold be a great fit and I am excited to see what he can do.
RB: Wells- Since Pitt is gone this is a pretty easy call.
FB: D. Johnson- His 4th year, a solid blocker. He will be one of those players that goes out and does his job everyday without accolades but does his job well.
WR: Robiskie- Solid!
WR: Hartline- I look forward to seeing this guy on the field more.
WR: Small- I think he will be a nice solid versitile player with nice speed.
- I look forward to a more or less brand new recieving core. Should be fun to watch
TE:- Nicol- As we break in a new QB I can see him really being used a lot next year. I hope B.Smith can have a nice year, but I really see Ballard as the number 2 TE. Great Hands
LT: Boone- AA??
LG: Rehring- I love his play. The left side of the line is awsome. Beanie will have a field day on that side. (Not that the right isn't going to be great too.
C: Cordle- I talked once with Nick Mangold about Cordle and he said that he was going to be a great player, and he is a great kid. Losing Datish could make the transition to a new QB difficult, so Jimmy is going to have one of the most important roles on the offense to make this team a success.
RG: C. Smith- Honestly, who knows. Mitchum and Person had a lot of promise coming in. Skinner was serviceable this year but not great. I think this spot is going to be an interesting battle. I took Smith just based on the huge expectations of him coming out of high school. If he has solidified his pass blocking I would really love to see him in there. I think we will be fine either way but should be interesting to watch.
RT: Barton- Duh. Captian? AA? I love the tackels we have.

Defense
DE: Gholston- I can't wait to see him lay Chad Henne on his ass in the Pig House. I bet scUM wishes they had him.
DT: Denlinger- He doesn't need to be the next QP he just needs to be solid, not AA. If him and the other DT play solid, we will be fine.
DT: Larimore- Obviously this is a complete guese, but heard nothing but good things on this board, and you have to like the wrestler background
DE: L. Wilson- I actually thought he was going to push Richardson out of the line up this year. He has shown a lot of talent since he got here, and I think next year will be a break out year for him. There will be a lot of competition for the spot opposite Gholston thought, so he better bring it this spring/ summer.
LB: Lauranatis, Freeman and Homan- Terry is the wildcard here. He could push Homan out, or we could go 3-4(Doubt it) or a rotation between the two. Either way our LB core is going to be fun to watch. Just please, stop the run.
CB: Jenkins- natural leader, lockdown corner, nuff said.
CB: Washington- I think it is his to lose. I think he played well this year, but he could really be pushed by some other players, especially Amos/Coleman.
S: Anderson Russel- Man it hurt to see him go down this year. I think he is a great player and a lovely suprise this year
S: O'Neal- I think going into this year he has the job, but I would not even be a little suprised if Aaron Gant doesn't end up at this spot. JO has a great deal of potential, but watching him you get the feeling that something just hasnt clicked yet. I hope it does soon, but we will be fine either way.

- I am really excited about this team. The offense is going to have a whole new look, and that could be a good thing for the program as we make the difficult transition from the Troy Smith era. We are losing a lot of great players on offense but I am excited to see what the new guys can do. The O-line will be key to this transition, and I think we have a great group.
Our defense may have to win us some ballgames due to the inexperience of our O (not because of lack of talent though ). Our D will have experience, and we our not losing too much, except for two under appreciated DT and solid S and CB. We should be fine though. Overall, I have high expectations for this team. I would love a Big Ten Championship, and I will not be suprised if a National Championship birth comes down to The Game.

[king rhabuf]

I don't understand why Grant wouldn't start next year?

[23Skidoo]

Originally Posted by king rhabuf

I don't understand why Grant wouldn't start next year?

Grant has been at Mike, backing up Laurinaitis. He'll still get plenty of playtime.

[scarletngray]

We'll need leadership on the Offensive side of the ball and that's why I like Boeckman at QB. He has four years in the system and should be a solid guy to lead the team.

Johnson shared playing time with White Jr. and so he starts. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see Olson share time with Johnson.

Smith is probably another year away, though he makes the two deep. Person should replace Downing and either Cordle or Whaley anchors the line at Center.

Other than QB the biggest question on Offense is who will be our deep threat? Small? Dukes? Lyons? I like the idea of a 6'4" 225 lb WR and so I hope that we atleast see Lyons when we go to a four and five reciever set.

I think we see a rotation of guys in the middle of the DL, starting with Denlinger and Barrow. Others will probably be Worthing and Larimore and I wouldn't be surprised to see Rose play both DT/DE.

Our DB's should be solid, though I think that there will be competition for JAM's spot. I wouldn't be surprised to see Gant or Schwartz starting alongside Russell. Amos should be our nickel back.

[CONGERSBUCKEYE]

Originally Posted by scarletngray

We'll need leadership on the Offensive side of the ball and that's why I like Boeckman at QB. He has four years in the system and should be a solid guy to lead the team.

Johnson shared playing time with White Jr. and so he starts. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see Olson share time with Johnson.

Smith is probably another year away, though he makes the two deep. Person should replace Downing and either Cordle or Whaley anchors the line at Center.

Other than QB the biggest question on Offense is who will be our deep threat? Small? Dukes? Lyons? I like the idea of a 6'4" 225 lb WR and so I hope that we atleast see Lyons when we go to a four and five reciever set.

I think we see a rotation of guys in the middle of the DL, starting with Denlinger and Barrow. Others will probably be Worthing and Larimore and I wouldn't be surprised to see Rose play both DT/DE.

Our DB's should be solid, though I think that there will be competition for JAM's spot. I wouldn't be surprised to see Gant or Schwartz starting alongside Russell. Amos should be our nickel back.

I agree but see Coleman getting a DB spot. I also see a return of Tressel Ball. We have a strong kicking game and a QB that knows the system and just needs to stay within it. An experienced D and a big bruising running back with good hand Wideouts. Under the radar expectations and favorable schedule. Sounds like 02? Enjoyed being spoiled with our Offense last year but look back and think our D got us to the NC game through the year and our faith in the offense caused the coaches to go away from the conservative formula.

[jpeezy11]

amos will win out an show he is the best corner at osu

[smitty03]

If Coleman is going to start somewhere it will be at one of the safety spots in my opinion. He practiced with the safeties the rest of the year after Anderson Russell got hurt. I believe they were quite impressed with him there, but Coleman is such a good athlete he could be back at corner.

[MililaniBuckeye]

I'd rip that list to shreds, but I see that most of you have beat me to it...