• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

LB Dante Booker (Official Thread)

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
Dante Booker Expected to be a Big Hit for Buckeyes in 2016

15-09-12-FB-2028.jpg


Sometimes getting on the field at Ohio State is all about timing and opportunity.

No matter the accolades or talent a player may bring to Columbus, if there isn't an open spot for them, they are simply going to have to wait their turn.

That has been the case for rising junior Dante Booker, who was a part of Ohio State's 2014 recruiting class. He was one of three 5-star linebackers signed by the Buckeyes that year, joining Raekwon McMillan and Sam Hubbard.

Both McMillan — a second-team All-American in 2015 — and Hubbard — second on the team in sacks (6.5) in 2015 — have already made their marks as Buckeyes, and now Booker is expected to finally get his opportunity to join them.

Booker's issue has never been about talent — he has seen action in OSU's last 21 games, and 24 or the 28 games the last two seasons — his problem has simply been the fact that Joshua Perry was in front of him.

That's where the timing comes in. There simply wasn't a spot for him. But now Booker's time has come, and folks around the team are excited to see what he can do.

"Dante’s a good athlete, man," McMillan said last week. "When he gets on the field, he does some stuff that you all haven’t even seen yet in practice. It’s amazing. One of the fastest guys on defense regardless of position. He just brings that pop."

Entire article: http://theozone.net/Ohio-State/Foot...Expected-to-be-a-Big-Hit-for-Buckeyes-in-2016
 
Upvote 0
FOR OHIO STATE'S DANTE BOOKER, 2016 PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE

68244_h.jpg,qitok=QHLrt_yF.pagespeed.ce.nSWlhXw7Dm.jpg


Joshua Perry was a three-year starter for Ohio State at outside linebacker and will be an early-round selection in April’s NFL Draft. But that didn’t stop current Buckeye linebacker Raekwon McMillan from playfully jabbing at his former teammate and friend last week.

“You can tell Josh I said this: Dante is a way better athlete,” McMillan joked when meeting with the media to provide an update on Ohio State’s offseason.

Ouch. The man wasn’t even there to defend himself.

Dante, of course, is Dante Booker, Perry’s likely replacement for the Buckeyes at one outside linebacker spot during the 2016 season. The junior-to-be recorded 22 tackles during 2015 in a reserve role.

But while the numbers certainly don’t grab your attention, make no mistake about it: Booker can play. After all, he was the No. 54-ranked overall player in the 2014 recruiting class and the nation’s fourth-rated outside linebacker. Hailing out of St. Vincent St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio — yes, the same one LeBron James attended — Booker was Ohio’s Mr. Football as a senior for the Fighting Irish. It should be noted defensive players don’t often win this award, which is given to the state’s top player each year.

But while the talent is certainly there, the opportunity during Booker’s first two seasons in Columbus was not.

Sometimes that’s what happens at a place like Ohio State, though. It's very easy to get wedged behind an NFL-caliber player and have to wait it out a couple of years before a chance arises.

Booker’s moment has arrived.

“I just think it’s his turn,” Ohio State strength coach Mickey Marotti said. “There goes Josh Perry, here comes Dante Booker.

“He’s a gifted, talented player that has done some good things for us, but look around and it’s, ‘OK, it’s my turn.’ Some of these younger players after the other guys are gone, it’s just different.”

Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...nte-booker-2016-provides-opportunity-to-shine
 
Upvote 0
OHIO STATE LINEBACKER DANTE BOOKER PRACTICING, PROBABLE FOR SATURDAY AGAINST INDIANA

75014_h.jpg,qitok=yY6lr-7E.pagespeed.ce.W0oLWqefdm.jpg


Ohio State junior linebacker Dante Booker has not played since the season-opener against Bowling Green due to a knee injury.

It appears he may be ready for a return.

Booker is back to practicing, Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer said Wednesday, and he is probable for Saturday's game against Indiana.

"I think he's still probable," Meyer said. "He's practicing. He's still not 100 percent yet, but we still have a couple more days."

Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...cticing-probable-for-saturday-against-indiana
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top