2009 tOSU Defensive Line Discussion

[osugrad21]

For 2009

[Tresselbeliever]

Stellar.

[orko]

Going to be one of the strong points on next years team.

[DaytonBuck]

I have bad memory so is Lawrence Wilson back next year?

[Tresselbeliever]

We won't be lacking depth here. Heyward, Worthington, Denlinger and Larimore should all see improvement. If it wasn't for the injuries to Denlinger and Larimore, the DT spot should have been better this season.

On the edge, Gibson and Williams are probably entering their prime. Keith Wells could also make some noise. Not sure whether Wilson will be back.

Originally Posted by orko

Going to be one of the strong points on next years team.

[daveeb]

This unit will be a key factor in whether or not the Buckeyes win football games next season. Top notch offensive and defensive lines = victory. The only mystery going into next season is how effective Wilson will be. I have a feeling that he will at least be on the 2-deep at DE. If he can't make a go, you may see Keith Wells or Soloman Thomas step up to be Gibson's backup. It also wouldn't surprise me to see a few of the DT recruits from 2008 or even 2009 crack the 2-deep.

DE: Gibson (RS Junior), Wilson
DT: Heyward (Junior), Larimore
DT: Worthington (Senior), Denlinger
DE: Williams (Sophomore), Rose

If Ohio State's D-Line shows up like they did against Colt and the Texas Longhorns, we will be in for a good year.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by DaytonBuck

I have bad memory so is Lawrence Wilson back next year?

Wilson will have to petition for a medical redshirt...

[DaytonBuck]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

Wilson will have to petition for a medical redshirt...

grazie

[Buckeye86]

Here's another quick breakdown that I put together. Ends are in gray, tackles are in red.

Lawrence Wilson #87
RS Senior
6'4" 274 lbs.
GP:31 solo:15 assisted:21 tfl:9 sacks:5 ff:2 int:1


Wilson is an interesting case in that he has had each of his last two seasons cut short by season ending injuries (only played one game in '07 and seven games in '08 according to the official site). Wilson played in 10 games his freshman year ('05) and all 13 games his sophomore year ('06). He has been a projected starter in each of the last two seasons ('07, '08) before suffering season ending injuries. He should provide excellent depth at DE at the very least if he does not end up being a starter again. One can only hope that Wilson can avoid injury for an entire year and live up to his high potential.

Todd Denlinger #92
RS Senior
6'2" 292 lbs.
GP:33 solo:11 assisted:13 tfl:5.5 sacks:1


Denlinger has been a solid, if not spectacular, contributor at defensive tackle each of the past three seasons after redshirting in 2005. Injuries have hampered his production for most of his career. Hopefully Denlinger can stay healthy in '09 and compete for a starting spot at DT. At the very least Denlinger should provide solid depth and he brings plenty of experience to the table.

Doug Worthington #84
RS Senior
6'6" 276 lbs.
GP:33 solo:22 assisted:39 tfl:7 sacks:2.5 ff:1


Worthington had trouble finding a position in his first few years at Ohio State, moving between DE and DT, but after two full years playing at defensive tackle it appears that Worthington has firmly established himself inside. Worthington finished with 34 (including 5 tfl and 1.5 sacks) total tackles in 2008, good enough for second most amongst defensive lineman. Some consider Worthington to be too tall to play affectively at DT, but after two years on the inside, it is unlikely he will move back to DE. Like Denlinger, Worthington brings plenty of experience to the DT positon and should provide solid depth at the very least in 2009.

Robert Rose #9
Senior
6'5" 285 lbs.
GP:34 solo:11 assisted:10 tfl:8 sacks:5.5


Rose has been a solid part of the defensive line rotation in each of the past three seasons, playing mostly at defensive end. Unfortunately, nagging injuries have prevented Rose from becoming the dominant player that he is capable of being. His size, strength, and speed are formidable, and he will be a key component in the line rotation once again in '09 and most likely will push for one of the starting defensive end positions. Hopefully he will be able to finish his Buckeye career on a high note.

Thadeus Gibson #90
RS Junior
6'2" 240 lbs.
GP:22 solo:22 assisted:15 tfl:12 sacks:6 ff:3


Gibson is perhaps the most exciting returning defensive lineman for the Buckeyes and appears to be significantly bigger than his listed height and weight. He played in all 13 games in 2008 and finished the year as perhaps the most dominant and disruptive defensive lineman, leading the team in sacks for the year with 5. It would be very surprising if Gibson was not one of the starting defensive ends at the beginning of next year, and he should continue to be a force off of the edge.

Dexter Larimore #72
RS Junior
6'2" 300 lbs.
GP:26 solo:10 assisted:21 tfl:9 sacks:4


After redshirting in 2006, Larimore has played in every game in each of the past two seasons and been a solid part of the defensive line rotation. With another year under his belt, Larimore should do nothing but improve in 2009 and will compete for a starting tackle spot and provide quality depth.

Cameron Heyward #97
Junior
6'6" 287 lbs.
GP:26 solo:34 assisted:35 tfl:14.5 sacks:5.5 ff:2


After breaking onto the scene as a true freshman in 2007, playing in all 13 games, Heyward once again played in all 13 games as a sophomore and led all lineman with 36 tackles. Heyward may not have lived up to the lofty expectations fans had for him after his breakout freshman season, but this may be partially explained by Heyward making the transition from defensive end to defensive tackle in 2008. As he becomes more comfortable at his new position, Heyward should be eble to become a force on the inside. Expect Heyward to be one of the starting defensive tackles in 2009.

Nathan Williams #43
Sophomore
6'4" 245 lbs.
GP:9 solo:9 assisted:9 tfl:4 sacks:2


Williams came on strong about midway through his freshman year in 2008, but ran into some off the field issues that left his status for the bowl game in question. Williams made the trip with the team and played in the bowl game, however, indicating that he dealt with his problems to Tressel's satisfaction and his standing with the team is not in question. Williams is a force off of the edge and should compete for a starting spot at defensive end as a sophomore in 2009.

Solomon Thomas #98
RS Sophomore
6'5" 240 lbs.


Garrett Goebel #53
RS Freshman
6'5" 280 lbs.

Willie Mobley #96
RS Freshman
6'3" 265 lbs.

Keith Wells #94
RS Freshman
6'5" 210 lbs.

Thomas, Goebel, Mobley, and Wells all have plenty of potential but little to no playing time in games. They should keep the starters on their toes at the least, as they will be ready to step in and compete for the starting spot of anyone who doesn't perform.

There are also several extremely highly touted recruits coming to OSU next year that will provide additional depth along the defensive line, but unless they perform unbelievably well for true freshman, it is difficult to see them cracking the rotation of such a deep and experienced defensive line.

[buck2006]

DE: Gibson / Wilson
DT: Heyward / Larimore
DT: Worthington / Denlinger
DE: Rose / Williams

[Taosman]

We led the Big Ten in creating turnovers, but our pass rush was nothing to write home about. So, I'm looking for a solid improvement in the pass rush department from Gibson, Williams(if he can right his ship) and a host of young pups. We need to be solid/better earlier next year. I think that is doable.

[ShakerBuck]

dawaan whitner
shaq rowell

will either be with term in spring, or 2009 season?

[NightmaresDad]

It sure seems to me that Williams and Gibson are going to be playing the same position. I see them rotating with each other.
It seemed to me that Williams had the highest impact per play of any of our linemen. Keeping both of those guys fresh and able to go 100% will wreak havoc on our opponents.

A healthy Denlinger starts, backed up by Larimore.

Heyward and Worthington rotating the other DT spot.

Wilson / Rose - we'll see who gets the other DE.

As for lack of pass rush - when half the teams you play are one or three step drop passing teams where half their plays are some kind of WR screen, you aren't going to get sacks. In fact, you start releasing one of your DEs into the flat.

Against more traditional throwing teams (MSU, PSU, USC) we got very good pressure, I thought. Maybe not as much USC.

Wells should get some playing time, especially if Wilson does not come back healthy.

Mobley is my pick for an impact freshman on the DL.

[stowfan]

Over the holidays I caught bits an pieces of the 2003 national title game.Our D-line in that game beat the [censored] out of Ken Dorsey and held Willis Mcgahee(SP?) to almost no yards gained by late in the second quarter. Amazing what a great D-line can do for a team.

[buckeyesin07]

I'd really like to see what K. Wells, Goebel and Mobley can bring to the table. They were all highly-touted coming out of high school, so we know the talent is there. I think because they're all going to be redshirt freshmen in the fall, people forget about them in favor of the guys we have returning who have been around awhile in the middle (Worthington, Rose, Larimore, Denlinger, Heyward), but I think at least one of those three younger guys will have a huge 2009 and may be starting by the middle of the season.