LovelandBuckeye
You never lose to those pricks. Ever. Ever. - UFM
Sounds great, but can they tackle, take the appropriate angles, and turn around for the ball?
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- Thread starter bukIpower
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Sounds great, but can they tackle, take the appropriate angles, and turn around for the ball?
RugbyBuck
Our church has no bells.
The bad angles drove me batshit last year. It’s not just angles generally, although that’s obviously part of it. It’s angles relative to your ability and whomever you’re defending. Borland has to take slightly different angles from Baron, etc. If you’re consistently out of place and whiffing, it’s as much about your head as about your legs.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Biggest Movers So Far This Spring — Ohio State Defense
Every year, new Buckeyes emerge and climb the depth charts of the Ohio State offense and defense.
It is a necessary progression which then allows the program to replace departed stars and reestablish any loss of depth.
This year on the OSU defense, nine starters return from last season, which makes climbing the depth chart quite a bit more difficult for the younger players.
Regardless, there are some young players still making strides and providing competition at all three levels of the Buckeye defense.
Teradja Mitchell, Soph. MLB
Teradja Mitchell didn’t get to see much defense last year running with the threes as a true freshman. This spring, he has seen some time with the ones and twos due to injuries to Tuf Borland and Baron Browning. He would have seen time with the ones and twos regardless, but he has taken advantage of his situation. With Browning back now, Mitchell is still getting a significant amount of reps with the twos. Ryan Day said on Friday that the competition at middle linebacker will go into fall camp.
Dallas Gant, Soph. WLB
Dallas Gant enrolled early last year and soon earned some praise for his ability to learn quickly and work full speed. He played here and there last year, mostly on special teams, but also spent time at the Sam. With the defensive scheme change this year, Gant has moved inside to the Will and earned raves from his coaches for his ability to knock people down. He has senior Malik Harrison in front of him, but the two best inside linebackers will play, and if that’s Gant and Harrison, they’ll get it figured out.
Zach Harrison, Fr. DE
I have said people need to relax their expectations for Zach Harrison this season because of how raw he is, and I still believe that is true, but it’s difficult to ignore the fact that despite his inexperience he is already making plays in practice. He also keeps getting bigger. As someone said to me on Friday, Harrison is like a puppy because each time you see him he’s bigger than the last time. With sophomore defensive end Tyler Friday out on Friday, Harrison was with the ones in the Rushmen package. He also spent some time with the ones and twos during scrimmaging and came away with three sacks. He was also 4-1 in his one-on-ones earlier in practice. Defensive end is a deep position at Ohio State, but I may be changing my tune on just how relaxed your expectations for Harrison this season should be.
Javontae Jean-Baptiste, rFr. DE
You know how fast redshirt freshman H-back Jaelen Gill is. And even if you don’t, he’s an Ohio State H-back, so you have some kind of idea. You also know how fast redshirt freshman running back Master Teague is. And if you don’t, he was hand-timed at 4.31 at both an Alabama camp and an Ohio State camp. No, he’s not going to run that electronically, but I just wanted you to know that he’s a fast guy because I watched Javontae Jean-Baptiste track him down along the line of scrimmage to keep him from getting to the corner. Jean-Baptiste did the same thing on a speed sweep to Gill. He also had a sack in the scrimmage. Jean-Baptiste had to get stronger last year, but it appears he still has his burst and athleticism. His reach is also impressive. The Buckeyes seem set at defensive end, but Javontae Jean-Baptiste is putting his name out there as a guy who would be okay on the field now and then.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/biggest-movers-spring-ohio-state-defense/
Every year, new Buckeyes emerge and climb the depth charts of the Ohio State offense and defense.
It is a necessary progression which then allows the program to replace departed stars and reestablish any loss of depth.
This year on the OSU defense, nine starters return from last season, which makes climbing the depth chart quite a bit more difficult for the younger players.
Regardless, there are some young players still making strides and providing competition at all three levels of the Buckeye defense.
Teradja Mitchell, Soph. MLB
Teradja Mitchell didn’t get to see much defense last year running with the threes as a true freshman. This spring, he has seen some time with the ones and twos due to injuries to Tuf Borland and Baron Browning. He would have seen time with the ones and twos regardless, but he has taken advantage of his situation. With Browning back now, Mitchell is still getting a significant amount of reps with the twos. Ryan Day said on Friday that the competition at middle linebacker will go into fall camp.
Dallas Gant, Soph. WLB
Dallas Gant enrolled early last year and soon earned some praise for his ability to learn quickly and work full speed. He played here and there last year, mostly on special teams, but also spent time at the Sam. With the defensive scheme change this year, Gant has moved inside to the Will and earned raves from his coaches for his ability to knock people down. He has senior Malik Harrison in front of him, but the two best inside linebackers will play, and if that’s Gant and Harrison, they’ll get it figured out.
Zach Harrison, Fr. DE
I have said people need to relax their expectations for Zach Harrison this season because of how raw he is, and I still believe that is true, but it’s difficult to ignore the fact that despite his inexperience he is already making plays in practice. He also keeps getting bigger. As someone said to me on Friday, Harrison is like a puppy because each time you see him he’s bigger than the last time. With sophomore defensive end Tyler Friday out on Friday, Harrison was with the ones in the Rushmen package. He also spent some time with the ones and twos during scrimmaging and came away with three sacks. He was also 4-1 in his one-on-ones earlier in practice. Defensive end is a deep position at Ohio State, but I may be changing my tune on just how relaxed your expectations for Harrison this season should be.
Javontae Jean-Baptiste, rFr. DE
You know how fast redshirt freshman H-back Jaelen Gill is. And even if you don’t, he’s an Ohio State H-back, so you have some kind of idea. You also know how fast redshirt freshman running back Master Teague is. And if you don’t, he was hand-timed at 4.31 at both an Alabama camp and an Ohio State camp. No, he’s not going to run that electronically, but I just wanted you to know that he’s a fast guy because I watched Javontae Jean-Baptiste track him down along the line of scrimmage to keep him from getting to the corner. Jean-Baptiste did the same thing on a speed sweep to Gill. He also had a sack in the scrimmage. Jean-Baptiste had to get stronger last year, but it appears he still has his burst and athleticism. His reach is also impressive. The Buckeyes seem set at defensive end, but Javontae Jean-Baptiste is putting his name out there as a guy who would be okay on the field now and then.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/biggest-movers-spring-ohio-state-defense/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
OHIO STATE'S THIRD-YEAR DEFENSIVE BACKS MUST RETURN UNIT TO BIA STATUS
In their second-ranked 2017 class, the Buckeyes landed seven defensive backs: Five-stars Jeffrey Okudah and Shaun Wade, JUCO transfer Kendall Sheffield, and four-stars Isaiah Pryor, Brendon White, Amir Riep and Marcus Williamson.
Less one, as Sheffield has moved on from Ohio State to pursue NFL opportunities, the 2017 defensive back unit will all return to Columbus with a chance to resurrect the unit once known as "BIA."
Ohio State had an incredible run of producing NFL defensive back talent: Eli Apple, Malik Hooker, Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley and Denzel Ward were all taken in the first round of the NFL Draft in recent years, and Vonn Bell was a second-round choice in 2016.
Viciously, Ohio State's secondary was not nearly as good this season. Sheffield and Damon Arnette looked lost at points under new coach Taver Johnson, who was not retained by Ryan Day and the new coaching staff heading into 2019. Johnson is now the assistant DB's coach for the Oakland Raiders.
Even with the return of three out of four starters in the secondary (four out of five if you count the nickel spot), everyone on the Ohio State side will admit that there is still work that needs to be done.
According to new secondary coach Jeff Hafley, the Buckeyes will play a lot of man coverage, but will mix it up at times as well. "We'll play some press, we'll play some off, we'll play a little bit of everything," Hafley said quite bluntly in his introductory press conference.
Under Hafley and assistant secondary coach Matt Barnes, expect the Buckeyes to be fundamentally sound and actually look for the football. But the improvement cannot be all on the coaches, of course. The players are ultimately the ones who are on the field during the games.
Damon Arnette and Jordan Fuller are the lone seniors in the Buckeye secondary room next year. The rest of the gaps must be filled by youngish players, and most of these will come from guys who are in their third year in the program.
Running away with one of the cornerback spots is Okudah, and it is expected that Wade will be filling in at the other spot, or at the nickel if the coaches decide to play Arnette on the outside.
Even though Fuller returns to provide an anchor at one safety spot, White will come back for his second year (and first full one) starting with hopes to improve on his game, as well. At times last year, White looked absolutely spectacular, but that could just be a product of the poor play surrounding him. Nevertheless, we will certainly find out whether he can continue his string of strong outings.
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...efensive-backs-must-return-unit-to-bia-status
In their second-ranked 2017 class, the Buckeyes landed seven defensive backs: Five-stars Jeffrey Okudah and Shaun Wade, JUCO transfer Kendall Sheffield, and four-stars Isaiah Pryor, Brendon White, Amir Riep and Marcus Williamson.
Less one, as Sheffield has moved on from Ohio State to pursue NFL opportunities, the 2017 defensive back unit will all return to Columbus with a chance to resurrect the unit once known as "BIA."
Ohio State had an incredible run of producing NFL defensive back talent: Eli Apple, Malik Hooker, Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley and Denzel Ward were all taken in the first round of the NFL Draft in recent years, and Vonn Bell was a second-round choice in 2016.
Viciously, Ohio State's secondary was not nearly as good this season. Sheffield and Damon Arnette looked lost at points under new coach Taver Johnson, who was not retained by Ryan Day and the new coaching staff heading into 2019. Johnson is now the assistant DB's coach for the Oakland Raiders.
Even with the return of three out of four starters in the secondary (four out of five if you count the nickel spot), everyone on the Ohio State side will admit that there is still work that needs to be done.
According to new secondary coach Jeff Hafley, the Buckeyes will play a lot of man coverage, but will mix it up at times as well. "We'll play some press, we'll play some off, we'll play a little bit of everything," Hafley said quite bluntly in his introductory press conference.
Under Hafley and assistant secondary coach Matt Barnes, expect the Buckeyes to be fundamentally sound and actually look for the football. But the improvement cannot be all on the coaches, of course. The players are ultimately the ones who are on the field during the games.
Damon Arnette and Jordan Fuller are the lone seniors in the Buckeye secondary room next year. The rest of the gaps must be filled by youngish players, and most of these will come from guys who are in their third year in the program.
Running away with one of the cornerback spots is Okudah, and it is expected that Wade will be filling in at the other spot, or at the nickel if the coaches decide to play Arnette on the outside.
Even though Fuller returns to provide an anchor at one safety spot, White will come back for his second year (and first full one) starting with hopes to improve on his game, as well. At times last year, White looked absolutely spectacular, but that could just be a product of the poor play surrounding him. Nevertheless, we will certainly find out whether he can continue his string of strong outings.
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...efensive-backs-must-return-unit-to-bia-status
Last edited:
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Morning Conversational: What’s the Situation at Middle Linebacker?
Ohio State entered spring ball with a two-year starter returning at middle linebacker in Tuf Borland, as well as his top two backups.
Borland finished third on the team with 67 tackles last season, despite returning while still recovering from an Achilles tendon injury.
While Borland got up to speed, it was Baron Browning starting in his place for the first two games. Browning ended up starting three games last year, finding playing time throughout the season. He finished with 23 tackles.
Mitchell, a true freshman last season, did not see much time on defense, nor did he record a single tackle. Despite the lack of production, there is nothing but confidence in Mitchell’s potential from his coaches.
Borland missed the second half of the spring after taking a helmet to his knee, which allowed both Browning and Mitchell to get plenty of time with the ones this spring. Browning was also out for a couple of practices, allowing Mitchell to get more time with the ones than anybody could have anticipated.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/ohio-state-situation-middle-linebacker/
Ohio State entered spring ball with a two-year starter returning at middle linebacker in Tuf Borland, as well as his top two backups.
Borland finished third on the team with 67 tackles last season, despite returning while still recovering from an Achilles tendon injury.
While Borland got up to speed, it was Baron Browning starting in his place for the first two games. Browning ended up starting three games last year, finding playing time throughout the season. He finished with 23 tackles.
Mitchell, a true freshman last season, did not see much time on defense, nor did he record a single tackle. Despite the lack of production, there is nothing but confidence in Mitchell’s potential from his coaches.
Borland missed the second half of the spring after taking a helmet to his knee, which allowed both Browning and Mitchell to get plenty of time with the ones this spring. Browning was also out for a couple of practices, allowing Mitchell to get more time with the ones than anybody could have anticipated.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/ohio-state-situation-middle-linebacker/
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ShowMeBuck
You know what? Chicken butt.
Cant help but think of Fick and how he would have maximized this LB talent.
Hope Al can do the same.
Hope Al can do the same.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Ohio State Spring Recap — A Wealth of Options at Safety?
The Buckeyes return all five safeties who started at least one game last season, though Jordan Fuller was held out this spring with a “lower extremity injury.”
Isaiah Pryor started seven games last season, Jahsen Wint started once, Shaun Wade started twice, and Brendon White started the final five games, earning the Rose Bowl Defensive MVP trophy along the way.
Josh Proctor and Amir Riep also return, and both had positive performances this spring.
Depth Chart
Free Safety
Jordan Fuller, Sr OR
Isaiah Pryor, Jr OR
Josh Proctor, Soph
Ronnie Hickman, Fr
Strong Safety
Jordan Fuller, Sr OR
Shaun Wade, rSoph
Amir Riep, Jr
Marcus Hooker, rFr
Bullet
Brendon White, Jr
Jahsen Wint, rJr
Notable
Because Jordan Fuller wasn’t able to practice this spring, we don’t really know which of the two safety positions he will play. A case can be made for either, as he has started at both the deep safety and box safety during his career. Whichever spot they put him at, you should consider him the starter. That spot may already be known, or may not be figured out until the second half of fall camp. It may also depend on who the second-best safety is. For instance, if Shaun Wade is the best strong safety and Isaiah Pryor is the best free safety, it may come down to who is playing the best between the two of them. Fuller would then play the position of the guy who was deemed second-best.
Quotable
“It’s pretty multiple. Free safety, strong safety, Bullet, we’re kind of rotating all of the guys through those spots right now. Sometimes you’ll see them in the middle of the field, sometimes you’ll see them in the half, sometimes you’ll see them down in the box, sometimes you’ll see them lined up over the slot, so really all three of those guys are pretty versatile. You can take any safety in our room right now and we’re trying to make it so we can plug and play them at all of those positions so that we just say, ‘You’re this.’ The more multiple we can be, the more we can do on defense.” — Co-defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley explaining what to expect from the OSU safeties in this scheme.
Gloatable
There are options galore at safety for the Buckeyes. Josh Proctor came to Ohio State with high expectations as one of the top safety recruits in the 2018 class. He and Isaiah Pryor have battled at free safety this spring, but it was Pryor with the first-team defense in the spring game. Proctor may have more potential than any other safety on campus, but he also has plenty of competition on his hands. Pryor had a difficult first half to the 2018 season, but he is playing in a new defense now and by all accounts had a very good spring. Amir Riep was outstanding in the spring game, showcasing the cornerback cover skills that brought him to Ohio State. Redshirt freshman Marcus Hooker and true freshman Ronnie Hickman both missed spring ball with injuries. When healthy, they’ll give the Buckeyes eight talented safeties, and that’s not including Brendon White and Jahsen Wint, or incoming freshman Bryson Shaw.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/ohio-state-spring-recap-safety-2/
The Buckeyes return all five safeties who started at least one game last season, though Jordan Fuller was held out this spring with a “lower extremity injury.”
Isaiah Pryor started seven games last season, Jahsen Wint started once, Shaun Wade started twice, and Brendon White started the final five games, earning the Rose Bowl Defensive MVP trophy along the way.
Josh Proctor and Amir Riep also return, and both had positive performances this spring.
Depth Chart
Free Safety
Jordan Fuller, Sr OR
Isaiah Pryor, Jr OR
Josh Proctor, Soph
Ronnie Hickman, Fr
Strong Safety
Jordan Fuller, Sr OR
Shaun Wade, rSoph
Amir Riep, Jr
Marcus Hooker, rFr
Bullet
Brendon White, Jr
Jahsen Wint, rJr
Notable
Because Jordan Fuller wasn’t able to practice this spring, we don’t really know which of the two safety positions he will play. A case can be made for either, as he has started at both the deep safety and box safety during his career. Whichever spot they put him at, you should consider him the starter. That spot may already be known, or may not be figured out until the second half of fall camp. It may also depend on who the second-best safety is. For instance, if Shaun Wade is the best strong safety and Isaiah Pryor is the best free safety, it may come down to who is playing the best between the two of them. Fuller would then play the position of the guy who was deemed second-best.
Quotable
“It’s pretty multiple. Free safety, strong safety, Bullet, we’re kind of rotating all of the guys through those spots right now. Sometimes you’ll see them in the middle of the field, sometimes you’ll see them in the half, sometimes you’ll see them down in the box, sometimes you’ll see them lined up over the slot, so really all three of those guys are pretty versatile. You can take any safety in our room right now and we’re trying to make it so we can plug and play them at all of those positions so that we just say, ‘You’re this.’ The more multiple we can be, the more we can do on defense.” — Co-defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley explaining what to expect from the OSU safeties in this scheme.
Gloatable
There are options galore at safety for the Buckeyes. Josh Proctor came to Ohio State with high expectations as one of the top safety recruits in the 2018 class. He and Isaiah Pryor have battled at free safety this spring, but it was Pryor with the first-team defense in the spring game. Proctor may have more potential than any other safety on campus, but he also has plenty of competition on his hands. Pryor had a difficult first half to the 2018 season, but he is playing in a new defense now and by all accounts had a very good spring. Amir Riep was outstanding in the spring game, showcasing the cornerback cover skills that brought him to Ohio State. Redshirt freshman Marcus Hooker and true freshman Ronnie Hickman both missed spring ball with injuries. When healthy, they’ll give the Buckeyes eight talented safeties, and that’s not including Brendon White and Jahsen Wint, or incoming freshman Bryson Shaw.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/ohio-state-spring-recap-safety-2/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Greg Mattison Looking For Two First-Team Defenses
The Ohio State defense has featured rotations for years. In 2016 and 2017, four NFL defensive ends rotated, keeping each other fresh.
The thought being that if you’ve got talent, why not play it?
Some positions don’t allow for a rotation, but playing defense at the pace that the Buckeyes want makes rotation paramount.
You can see defensive linemen running off the field after plays as they are replaced by fresh teammates. The Ohio State linebackers also have particular packages that see frequent substitution.
The cornerback rotation appears to be over, but the plan for the front seven looks like constant motion.
“I am a very, very strong believer with the way football goes now, with all the tempo, with what we demand of our defense, and that is you are playing 4 to 6, A to B, as hard and as fast as you can, there’s no such thing as a loaf, and so therefore you’re asking four-down defensive linemen to go as hard and as fast as they can,” OSU defensive coordinator Greg Mattison explained.
“You’re asking three linebackers to go as hard and as fast as they can on every play. If you can’t do that anymore, raise your hand and there’s somebody that we’re getting ready to be able to go in and give you a break, and that’s our deal. That we have the depth and we have enough talent that the next guy that steps up gives you a break. It doesn’t mean you did something wrong. It means you can come back and be way, way more healthy. Way more vibrant, with way more energy, and then the next guy goes back in again.”
Looking at Ohio State’s depth chart, there could be five or six defensive ends who see the field regularly. Then add in five or six defensive tackles, four or five linebackers, and six or seven defensive backs.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/greg-mattison-two-first-team-defenses/
The Ohio State defense has featured rotations for years. In 2016 and 2017, four NFL defensive ends rotated, keeping each other fresh.
The thought being that if you’ve got talent, why not play it?
Some positions don’t allow for a rotation, but playing defense at the pace that the Buckeyes want makes rotation paramount.
You can see defensive linemen running off the field after plays as they are replaced by fresh teammates. The Ohio State linebackers also have particular packages that see frequent substitution.
The cornerback rotation appears to be over, but the plan for the front seven looks like constant motion.
“I am a very, very strong believer with the way football goes now, with all the tempo, with what we demand of our defense, and that is you are playing 4 to 6, A to B, as hard and as fast as you can, there’s no such thing as a loaf, and so therefore you’re asking four-down defensive linemen to go as hard and as fast as they can,” OSU defensive coordinator Greg Mattison explained.
“You’re asking three linebackers to go as hard and as fast as they can on every play. If you can’t do that anymore, raise your hand and there’s somebody that we’re getting ready to be able to go in and give you a break, and that’s our deal. That we have the depth and we have enough talent that the next guy that steps up gives you a break. It doesn’t mean you did something wrong. It means you can come back and be way, way more healthy. Way more vibrant, with way more energy, and then the next guy goes back in again.”
Looking at Ohio State’s depth chart, there could be five or six defensive ends who see the field regularly. Then add in five or six defensive tackles, four or five linebackers, and six or seven defensive backs.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/greg-mattison-two-first-team-defenses/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Ohio State Spring Recap — Starters Stayed Strong at Cornerback
The Buckeyes are one of those rare teams that lost a starting cornerback early to the NFL over the offseason, yet still return two cornerbacks who are also considered starters. They do bring in two new secondary coaches, however, which is a significant change.
Fifth-year senior Damon Arnette and junior Jeff Okudah are back, and bring with them three seasons of experience in OSU’s starting rotation.
Three second-year corners return as well, in Cameron Brown, Sevyn Banks, and Tyreke Johnson.
Third-year junior Marcus Williamson has battled injuries. Also keep an eye on redshirt sophomore Shaun Wade, who could end up anywhere in the secondary.
Depth Chart
Jeff Okudah
Sevyn Banks
Damon Arnette
Tyreke Johnson OR
Cameron Brown
Notable
It looks like the customary three-man rotation at cornerback for Ohio State is now over. There has been no talk about it this spring (though media only spoke with secondary coach Jeff Hafley once during camp). Damon Arnette and Jeff Okudah are the incumbents, but both were dealing with new position coaches this spring, so they didn’t quite get the rest that many other veterans received. Both Arnette and Okudah performed well, and while the three-man rotation appears dead, it could be brought back to life if one of the young cornerbacks shows that he belongs.
Quotable
“I remember the first time I had [Marshon] Lattimore up on a 30 visit, and I was so confused, I was like, ‘why are you rotating? If you’re going to be the top-five pick in the draft, what’s wrong with you? Why are you rotating?’ He’s like, ‘well, coaches rotate me.’ Then the next year, it’s Denzel Ward out. I’m like, ‘why are you rotating? What is going on here?’ He’s like, ‘well, the next guy is probably a first-round pick, too, Coach.’ And that just goes back to I didn’t get it at the time. I was like, what are they doing? But the next guy is a first-round pick, right? So it goes back to the question: If a guy is good enough to play, we have to get him on the field. And if he’s doing everything right, we have to find a role for him. So if we’ve got three first-round picks at corner, and I’m not saying we do, we’d better find a way to use him, right? So I think we’ll figure that out. We’ll figure it out.” — Ohio State co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Jeff Hafley on whether or not the Buckeyes will continue a three-man rotation at cornerback.
Explodable
It’s not that Jeff Okudah is in a hurry to leave Ohio State, but most people outside of the program expect this to be his final year at Ohio State. If he continues to progress this season as he has during his first two years on campus, he could be one of the top cornerbacks in the draft next year. Nothing we saw this spring indicated any kind of backslide. He kept his spot all spring long and grew into a leader in the secondary. It will be interesting to see the improvements he makes under Jeff Hafley’s tutelage.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/ohio-state-spring-recap-cornerback/
The Buckeyes are one of those rare teams that lost a starting cornerback early to the NFL over the offseason, yet still return two cornerbacks who are also considered starters. They do bring in two new secondary coaches, however, which is a significant change.
Fifth-year senior Damon Arnette and junior Jeff Okudah are back, and bring with them three seasons of experience in OSU’s starting rotation.
Three second-year corners return as well, in Cameron Brown, Sevyn Banks, and Tyreke Johnson.
Third-year junior Marcus Williamson has battled injuries. Also keep an eye on redshirt sophomore Shaun Wade, who could end up anywhere in the secondary.
Depth Chart
Jeff Okudah
Sevyn Banks
Damon Arnette
Tyreke Johnson OR
Cameron Brown
Notable
It looks like the customary three-man rotation at cornerback for Ohio State is now over. There has been no talk about it this spring (though media only spoke with secondary coach Jeff Hafley once during camp). Damon Arnette and Jeff Okudah are the incumbents, but both were dealing with new position coaches this spring, so they didn’t quite get the rest that many other veterans received. Both Arnette and Okudah performed well, and while the three-man rotation appears dead, it could be brought back to life if one of the young cornerbacks shows that he belongs.
Quotable
“I remember the first time I had [Marshon] Lattimore up on a 30 visit, and I was so confused, I was like, ‘why are you rotating? If you’re going to be the top-five pick in the draft, what’s wrong with you? Why are you rotating?’ He’s like, ‘well, coaches rotate me.’ Then the next year, it’s Denzel Ward out. I’m like, ‘why are you rotating? What is going on here?’ He’s like, ‘well, the next guy is probably a first-round pick, too, Coach.’ And that just goes back to I didn’t get it at the time. I was like, what are they doing? But the next guy is a first-round pick, right? So it goes back to the question: If a guy is good enough to play, we have to get him on the field. And if he’s doing everything right, we have to find a role for him. So if we’ve got three first-round picks at corner, and I’m not saying we do, we’d better find a way to use him, right? So I think we’ll figure that out. We’ll figure it out.” — Ohio State co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Jeff Hafley on whether or not the Buckeyes will continue a three-man rotation at cornerback.
Explodable
It’s not that Jeff Okudah is in a hurry to leave Ohio State, but most people outside of the program expect this to be his final year at Ohio State. If he continues to progress this season as he has during his first two years on campus, he could be one of the top cornerbacks in the draft next year. Nothing we saw this spring indicated any kind of backslide. He kept his spot all spring long and grew into a leader in the secondary. It will be interesting to see the improvements he makes under Jeff Hafley’s tutelage.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/ohio-state-spring-recap-cornerback/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Morning Conversational: Will the Buckeyes Be Able To Play All Of Their Defensive Linemen?
When the Buckeyes take the practice field this July for the start of fall camp, they will have 17 scholarship defensive linemen on the roster.
That equates to 20% of the allowed 85 scholarships, and gives OSU enough depth to go four deep at every spot and still have one guy left over.
And that’s if 6-foot-4, 235-pound linebacker Cade Stover doesn’t move to defensive end once he arrives this summer.
This spring, Ohio State went three deep at nose tackle, and that was with fifth-year senior Robert Landers sitting out with minor injuries.
In his place, fifth-year senior Davon Hamilton assumed command and led a productive spring for the second-year guys behind him.
“Davon has done a great job,” defensive line coach Larry Johnson said this spring. “He’s had a great, great spring. Then we’ve got Antwuan Jackson and Tommy Togiai, who’ve done a great job. I really feel good about the three guys I have. I said the other day it’s probably the best three guys I’ve had in a long time. I can interchange anybody and get the same kind of work for each guy. Those guys have had a great spring so far.”
At the other defensive tackle spot, the Buckeyes must replace Dre’Mont Jones, who left early for the NFL.
The job is currently up for grabs. At times it looked like sophomore Taron Vincent had taken the reins, but at the end of camp it was fifth-year senior Jashon Cornell running with the ones.
“Well, that’s in process. That’s the job. That’s what it’s all about,” Johnson said of replacing Jones. “We’ve got competition. We’ve got Taron Vincent, we’ve got Jashon Cornell who is fighting for a job behind him. And then we have another guy that has to fall in and do a great job, and that’s Haskell Garrett.”
All of those names, and Johnson believes there is enough room to play them all.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/buckeyes-many-defensive-linemen-rotation/
When the Buckeyes take the practice field this July for the start of fall camp, they will have 17 scholarship defensive linemen on the roster.
That equates to 20% of the allowed 85 scholarships, and gives OSU enough depth to go four deep at every spot and still have one guy left over.
And that’s if 6-foot-4, 235-pound linebacker Cade Stover doesn’t move to defensive end once he arrives this summer.
This spring, Ohio State went three deep at nose tackle, and that was with fifth-year senior Robert Landers sitting out with minor injuries.
In his place, fifth-year senior Davon Hamilton assumed command and led a productive spring for the second-year guys behind him.
“Davon has done a great job,” defensive line coach Larry Johnson said this spring. “He’s had a great, great spring. Then we’ve got Antwuan Jackson and Tommy Togiai, who’ve done a great job. I really feel good about the three guys I have. I said the other day it’s probably the best three guys I’ve had in a long time. I can interchange anybody and get the same kind of work for each guy. Those guys have had a great spring so far.”
At the other defensive tackle spot, the Buckeyes must replace Dre’Mont Jones, who left early for the NFL.
The job is currently up for grabs. At times it looked like sophomore Taron Vincent had taken the reins, but at the end of camp it was fifth-year senior Jashon Cornell running with the ones.
“Well, that’s in process. That’s the job. That’s what it’s all about,” Johnson said of replacing Jones. “We’ve got competition. We’ve got Taron Vincent, we’ve got Jashon Cornell who is fighting for a job behind him. And then we have another guy that has to fall in and do a great job, and that’s Haskell Garrett.”
All of those names, and Johnson believes there is enough room to play them all.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/buckeyes-many-defensive-linemen-rotation/
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