2008 tOSU Offensive Line discussion (official thread)

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

OSU notebook: Early enrollees will get chance at right tackle

Thursday, February 7, 2008 3:15 AM
By Ken Gordon and Tim May


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH



Six of the newest Ohio State football players will be enrolled by spring practice, and three of them will compete for the open spot at right tackle. Of the 19 players who signed letters of intent with the Buckeyes yesterday, two -- offensive linemen Michael Brewster and J.B. Shugarts -- already are enrolled. Four will enroll in March: offensive lineman Mike Adams, linebackers Etienne Sabino and Andrew Sweat and receiver Jake Stoneburner.
Coach Jim Tressel said he used to discourage enrolling early.
"Then I grew to learn the kids that are interested in doing that, what their makeup is," he said. "This is a highly motivated group of kids. They felt as if they'd accomplished what they would like to accomplish in high school. They're academically so sound. ? They were ready.
"Our guys that have come in early over the years have been pretty successful. From the Donte Whitners to the Chris Wells, Steve Rehring, Marcus Freeman, we've had a lot of guys come and do a good job.



Cont....

[Tlangs]

It definitely shows a level of hard work to be able to graduate early from high school. Also, these kids are also giving up a lot by missing the end of their senior year.

Congrats to them and good luck in spring ball.

[EidoloN]

This will be fun to watch for years' to come! Congrats guys and welcome!

[Buckeye86]

I began writing this before Grad posted that article, but I guess this is the proper place for it now.

Basically, I am extremely excited to see a line rotation system (Texas '06 style) with all of our young guys getting significant action, at least in the early part of the year, in order to prepare them to replace the guys we are losing after next year.

Here's how I think it shakes out.

Starters (aka Freakishly Experienced O-Line)

LT
#75 Alex Boone 6'8" 315 lbs. (SR)
Boone has the size and ability to be a franchise left tackle at the next level. 2008 will be a 'money' year for him, and he could become a solid first rounder with an excellent senior campaign. Has had significant playing and starting experience since his freshman year. Will be the cornerstone of the line.

LG
#71 Steve Rehring 6'8" 345 lbs. (SR)
Rehring is going into his third year as starter at LG. He came into fall camp last year with many speculating about weight concerns, but he proved to be a solid starter throughout the year. Has the experience and size to have a dominating senior year if he can put together a solid spring and summer.

C
#64 Jim Cordle 6'4" 302 lbs. (JR)
Cordle is coming off of a solid first year as starter at C. He used his left hand to snap most of the year in '07 due to an injury to his right hand but he should be able to return to his right hand in '08 baring further injuries. With a year under his belt at center, I expect nothing but improvement in Cordle's leadership and overall play in '08.

RG
#63 Ben Person 6'4" 321 lbs. (SR)
Person was a first year starter last year. Had a nasty habit of jumping off sides, but otherwise had a solid year in '07. With a year of starting experience hopefully his nerves calm in '08 and he continues to improve. He will be pushed by Connor Smith and some of the younger guys for his starting spot, which can only help.

RT
#73 Jon Skinner 6'5" 300 lbs. (SR 5th year)
This is obviously the hardest position to project due to Barton's departure. I am giving the nod to Skinner simply based on his experience. Skinner has had injury problems throughout his career but has consistently cracked the two deep when healthy. I think going into spring Skinner will have the first crack at RT, but obviously guys like Browning and Shugarts will get a shot as well.

2nd String (aka Freakishly Young and Talented O-Line)

LT
#? Mike Adams 6'8" 310 lbs. (FR)
Adams is a prototypical LT that is already being compared to all time greats like Orlando Pace. It's still a little early for that comparison, but Adams is clearly the heir apparent to Boone at LT. It will be interesting to see how quickly Adams adjusts to the college game, but odds are he will be a dominating LT sooner rather than later.

LG
#70 Bryant Browning 6'4" 310 lbs. (R-SO)
I'm projecting Browning at LG because of his versatility and because Connor Smith is at RG on the depth chart. Browning has the ability to play most positions on the line, and will probably compete for the starting RT spot in the spring and fall. I feel that his frame is better suited for interior line play, but obviously the coaches are comfortable putting Browning wherever he is needed on the line, and he will no doubt be a solid part of the line rotation in '08 wherever he ends up at.

C
#? Michael Brewster 6'5" 300 lbs. (FR)
Brewster is a natural born leader who many fans have fallen in love with due to his role in putting the '08 signing class together. Projects perfectly at center due to his leadership ability and nasty streak on the football field. He could see some time at guard until Cordle vacates the center spot. The offensive line is in good hands in the coming years with Brewster leading the way.

RG
#77 Connor Smith 6'5" 315 lbs. (R-SO)
Highly rated coming out of High School, Smith has had some difficulty with pass blocking at the college level and hasn't really had a chance to shine, but with two years of college ball under his belt he should be a solid contributor along the line in '08. Smith could even push for the starting job in the spring and fall if Person continues to struggle with false starts. Even if not starting, Smith will almost certainly see significant playing time next year.

RT
#? J.B. Shugarts 6'8" 300 lbs. (FR)
Shugarts is another member of the star studded '08 class. Will probably get a shot at the starting RT position, but will most likely need to work hard on pass blocking if he is to win the job. Enrolling early (he is already attending classes) can only help his chances. If Shugarts can perfect his pass blocking skills, he should be a solid contributor and a fun one to watch next year.

Others in the Mix

#67 Kyle Mitchum 6'5" 300 lbs. (SR)
Highly touted out of High School, injuries have really kept Mitchum from reaching his potential at Ohio State. When healthy he projects as a guard. Hopefully Mitchum can stay healthy in '08 and work his way into the two-deep for his senior season.

#68 Evan Blankenship 6'3" 300 lbs. (R-FR)
Redshirted last year, and without word from practices (maybe someone else can fill in here) its hard to say how Blankenship is developing. Projects as a guard.

#65 Doug Ebner 6'4" 280 lbs. (SR)
Has been in the system a long time and will probably get some playing time based on Tressel's loyalty to his seniors.

#66 Andrew Moses 6'3" 272 lbs. (JR)
Was listed as the backup at center last year. Originally a walk on, but has worked hard and become a solid contributor to the O-Line despite being a little undersized.

#73 Josh Kerr 6'5" 280 lbs. (R-SO)
Listed as second string LT last year. Kerr has had several years in the system and has gotten lots of work at tackle. He could be a dark horse candidate for the starting RT spot.


_______________________________________

All and all, the mix of youth and experience and overall talent of our o-line is going to be a force to be reckoned with next year. And oh yeah, have I mentioned a guy named Beanie Wells who will be running behind them?

[NightmaresDad]

If Skinner is 100%, I would have to think he will win the RT job.
I hope they have Adams as LT back-up, although he may be first backup for either tackle position.
Judging by Brewster's jersey no., he will likely expect to concentrate mostly on learning the center position.
Any way you slice it, if these Freshmen progress into the two-deep, then we are looking at some serious O-line depth.
When you add Browning and especially C Smith then we shoul have a very strong two-deep and honestly, there are a couple of other guys that scare the heck out of me should we have to use them "in a pinch".

[bukIpower]

in that article on the offensive line it was stated by bollman to expect the best pass blocker to secure that spot at RT. I do know that Adams is known for his tremendous pass blocking skills for being so young, and with his size at 6'8" 310 he would be more than able physically to handle it. I for one am going to say Adams is going to surprise us all and grab that starting position. Coming in Early is going to help him big time, and then going into fall I expect him to pull away and grab that starting spot. With all our experience we have it wouldn't be that big of a deal to have a freshman starting at RT. If he needs help with questions he's got 4 guys who've been in the system playing right along side of him. Also going into the 09' football season it would be nice to know we have atleast 2-3 returning starters rather than 1 returning starter if we start skinner. Adams will play eventually and him starting this year would be perfect as far as going through some growing pains. The last thing you want is him going through growing pains as a sophomore when he doesn't have those experienced players right next to him. Not to mention he will be expected to be one of our leaders in 09' and you don't want a leader being a first year starter. (a leader amongst the oline that is)

On a side note man we lose quite a lot after next year don't we??

[Sportsbuck28]

Originally Posted by bukIpower

On a side note man we lose quite a lot after next year don't we??

Yes, and it will definately hurt us.

The experience that the Block O + Connor Smith & others will gain this year as they learn will be invaluable in 2009. There will be some growing pains in 2009, but learning from guys like Boone, Rehring, Cordle, and others will definately make them that much better, and that's scary.

[Best Buckeye]

Originally Posted by Sportsbuck28

Yes, and it will definately hurt us.

The experience that the Block O + Connor Smith & others will gain this year as they learn will be invaluable in 2009. There will be some growing pains in 2009, but learning from guys like Boone, Rehring, Cordle, and others will definately make them that much better, and that's scary.

I don't think that it will hurt us necessarily. It depends on the others who have waited their turn to start that are already in the program. There is no guarentee that any of the Block O gang will make the two deep even considering how highly ranked they are . We have several who redshirted and were also considered as "gonig to be good" ones.
WE will know more later in the 08 season.

[bukIpower]

I mean We lose a lot but we'll be pluggng in players who have played an awful lot. We lose most at Linebacker/O-line and we have the players to fill in there its a matter of chemistry in 09'.

In 09' I expect at oline

Adams,Smith,Cordle,Brewster,Shuggarts/Browning. If Adams starts this year we'll have atleast 2 returning starters, and you add players like Smith/Brewster who will play a lot this year and you have a line while young isn't exactly completely green.

at linebacker we lose them all haha.... But we plug in IMO Homan/Sabino/Rolle which isn't bad but losing 3 senior starters is rough. I think speed wise we might even be faster, but just not as physical/experienced as the 08' gropu.

[Sportsbuck28]

Originally Posted by Best Buckeye

I don't think that it will hurt us necessarily. It depends on the others who have waited their turn to start that are already in the program. There is no guarentee that any of the Block O gang will make the two deep even considering how highly ranked they are . We have several who redshirted and were also considered as "gonig to be good" ones.
WE will know more later in the 08 season.

Personally, I fully expect Adams to start this year at RT.

[OregonBuckeye]

It's going to be nice to have some depth again. We were really lucky not to have any injuries on the o-line last year.

[bukIpower]

You got that right... Last year we only had two backups in Connor Smith/Browning, but this upcoming year we have a pretty "damn strong" (Les Miles Voice) list of starters as well as backups..

The 09' offensive line also might be meaner then this upcoming 08' line.. Brewster is really known to be as good as it gets with playing with fire, and you add that with Shuggarts/Adams who are known to do some of that as well and you got yourselves a nice line. The only question is how much playing time can we get these guys this year?? With as much talent as we have we should be able to put away almost everyone fairly easily and quickly so look for some nice playing time minutes next year from a lot of our backups (everywhere).

if there was one game I hope they don't rest any of our starters its MSU.... Dantonio acts like our game between the spartans is the super bowl and goes all out to make it a point that they need to be the buckeyes... you saw what happened last year when we let the foot off the gas. This upcomign year I hope we burry them...

[BuckeyeMafia]

These boys will join the defense for best in the country.

[buckeyes_rock]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMafia

These boys will join the defense for best in the country.

[calibuck]

What about the old adage that the O-linemen take about a year to get D-1 strong? HS strong isn't quite the same. Usually a year of weight training and diet monitoring plus learning the blocking schemes makes the kids ready to go. That having been said, it will be interesting to see whether the 5th year seniors go quietly into the night, or whether they come out strong, fighting for that last spot. The depth is phenominal compared to what there has been, and it appears that competition would still be stiff, especially from the veterans that have been in the program, and know this is the last time they have to impress.

Hopefully if the Brew Crew comes in and burns their first year, they get substantive playing minutes, to get them ready for their sophomore year, when two or more could very well be starting. With the depth, I'd like to see them 'shirt this year, but I'm not paid the big bucks to be an OSU coach .