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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
FOOTBALL: OHIO STATE SEARCHING FOR WAYS TO PLAY SEVEN EXPERIENCED LINEBACKERS
“Creativity” was the primary word used by Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington Wednesday to describe how the coaching staff will handle his position room.
Seven linebackers — all former four- and five-star recruits, all with at least two years of experience under their respective belts, all of whom have seen meaningful snaps in the past for the Buckeyes — will be vying for time on the depth chart in 2020.
Ohio State uses a defense that plays a maximum of three linebackers at a time, with the exception of an occasional 4-4 look against traditionalist Big Ten foes, such as Wisconsin, that feature run-heavy offenses.
Finding playing time for seven linebackers in the Ohio State defense will require ingenuity from its coaching staff, and positional flexibility from its players.
“The way I look at it, the first two teams, those are all [starters],” Washington said. “We’ve gotta feel confident. We have to do a really good job of trying to create roles, think outside, maybe, the conventional defense, and put guys in roles so that they can do what they do best.”
Leading tackler Malik Harrison is the lone departure for Ohio State from the position room. Three starters return: redshirt senior Tuf Borland and seniors Baron Browning and Pete Werner.
Borland and Browning split time at middle linebacker in 2019, but Browning has been working at outside linebacker since the start of spring practice Monday. His skillset could be better suited to the edge, Washington said.
Browning finished with 43 tackles –– 11 for loss –– and five sacks in 2019.
“He has a knack for rushing that’s well documented,” Washington said. “He has a knack to play in the box as a backer. We want to give him a chance to grow his skill set and experience as much as he can.”
Entire article: https://www.thelantern.com/2020/03/...r-ways-to-play-seven-experienced-linebackers/
SKULL SESSION: ANNIVERSARY OF MATT SYLVESTER'S SHOT, THE BUCKEYES HAVE A LOT OF LINEBACKERS, AND MIYAN WILLIAMS LIKES BEING CALLED “FAT BOY”
OVERFLOWING LINEBACKERS ROOM. Ohio State finds itself with significantly more talented linebackers than it knows what to do with (a good problem to have!). So now, as karaoke superstar Andy Anders of The Lantern explains, Al Washington's gotta be a little creative with how he gets the most out of all of them.
“Creativity” was the primary word used by Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington Wednesday to describe how the coaching staff will handle his position room.
Seven linebackers — all former four- and five-star recruits, all with at least two years of experience under their respective belts, all of whom have seen meaningful snaps in the past for the Buckeyes — will be vying for time on the depth chart in 2020.
Ohio State uses a defense that plays a maximum of three linebackers at a time, with the exception of an occasional 4-4 look against traditionalist Big Ten foes, such as Wisconsin, that feature run-heavy offenses.
Finding playing time for seven linebackers in the Ohio State defense will require ingenuity from its coaching staff, and positional flexibility from its players.
“The way I look at it, the first two teams, those are all [starters],” Washington said. “We’ve gotta feel confident. We have to do a really good job of trying to create roles, think outside, maybe, the conventional defense, and put guys in roles so that they can do what they do best.”
I mean, there's no law against putting seven linebackers on the field at once. Give me that 2-7-2 defense. I don't know what the hell it would even look like, but it's worth a shot.
In all seriousness, linebackers are generally the most versatile athletes on the entire defense. If there's any position in modern football where it's beneficial to have more than the standard number, it's this one.
I'm sure Washington will figure something out.
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/skul...a-lot-of-linebackers-and-miyan-williams-likes
“Creativity” was the primary word used by Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington Wednesday to describe how the coaching staff will handle his position room.
Seven linebackers — all former four- and five-star recruits, all with at least two years of experience under their respective belts, all of whom have seen meaningful snaps in the past for the Buckeyes — will be vying for time on the depth chart in 2020.
Ohio State uses a defense that plays a maximum of three linebackers at a time, with the exception of an occasional 4-4 look against traditionalist Big Ten foes, such as Wisconsin, that feature run-heavy offenses.
Finding playing time for seven linebackers in the Ohio State defense will require ingenuity from its coaching staff, and positional flexibility from its players.
“The way I look at it, the first two teams, those are all [starters],” Washington said. “We’ve gotta feel confident. We have to do a really good job of trying to create roles, think outside, maybe, the conventional defense, and put guys in roles so that they can do what they do best.”
Leading tackler Malik Harrison is the lone departure for Ohio State from the position room. Three starters return: redshirt senior Tuf Borland and seniors Baron Browning and Pete Werner.
Borland and Browning split time at middle linebacker in 2019, but Browning has been working at outside linebacker since the start of spring practice Monday. His skillset could be better suited to the edge, Washington said.
Browning finished with 43 tackles –– 11 for loss –– and five sacks in 2019.
“He has a knack for rushing that’s well documented,” Washington said. “He has a knack to play in the box as a backer. We want to give him a chance to grow his skill set and experience as much as he can.”
Entire article: https://www.thelantern.com/2020/03/...r-ways-to-play-seven-experienced-linebackers/
SKULL SESSION: ANNIVERSARY OF MATT SYLVESTER'S SHOT, THE BUCKEYES HAVE A LOT OF LINEBACKERS, AND MIYAN WILLIAMS LIKES BEING CALLED “FAT BOY”
OVERFLOWING LINEBACKERS ROOM. Ohio State finds itself with significantly more talented linebackers than it knows what to do with (a good problem to have!). So now, as karaoke superstar Andy Anders of The Lantern explains, Al Washington's gotta be a little creative with how he gets the most out of all of them.
“Creativity” was the primary word used by Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington Wednesday to describe how the coaching staff will handle his position room.
Seven linebackers — all former four- and five-star recruits, all with at least two years of experience under their respective belts, all of whom have seen meaningful snaps in the past for the Buckeyes — will be vying for time on the depth chart in 2020.
Ohio State uses a defense that plays a maximum of three linebackers at a time, with the exception of an occasional 4-4 look against traditionalist Big Ten foes, such as Wisconsin, that feature run-heavy offenses.
Finding playing time for seven linebackers in the Ohio State defense will require ingenuity from its coaching staff, and positional flexibility from its players.
“The way I look at it, the first two teams, those are all [starters],” Washington said. “We’ve gotta feel confident. We have to do a really good job of trying to create roles, think outside, maybe, the conventional defense, and put guys in roles so that they can do what they do best.”
I mean, there's no law against putting seven linebackers on the field at once. Give me that 2-7-2 defense. I don't know what the hell it would even look like, but it's worth a shot.
In all seriousness, linebackers are generally the most versatile athletes on the entire defense. If there's any position in modern football where it's beneficial to have more than the standard number, it's this one.
I'm sure Washington will figure something out.
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/skul...a-lot-of-linebackers-and-miyan-williams-likes
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
OHIO STATE'S LINEBACKER DEPTH WILL BE KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF A RELATIVELY INEXPERIENCED DEFENSE
Ohio State's linebacker corps is chocked full of talented upperclassmen, putting together one of the deepest units in all of college football.
It hasn't gotten as much attention looking ahead to the 2020 season as some of Ohio State's other position groups, like wide receiver, but with two returning starters, two former five-star recruits and three four-star juniors occupying the top seven slots of the depth chart, the Buckeyes' linebackers – the bane of their defense just two years ago – has quickly become one of their greatest strengths.
Ohio State's defense lost seven starters from last year's top-ranked defense, including two potential top-three selections (Chase Young, Jeff Okudah) in the NFL draft. Al Washington's unit lost Malik Harrison, but returned seven other linebackers who are seniors or juniors. With an inexperienced roster around them, the Buckeyes' depth at the second level will be imperative to their success.
Tuf Borland and Pete Werner, who have been the starting middle and strongside linebackers for the past two years, are back as third-year starters. Also returning are Baron Browning, a five-star recruit from the class of 2017 who split reps with Borland in 2019, and Justin Hilliard, another one-time five-star recruit who is back for a sixth year of eligibility. The two of them are the top candidates to be the other starting linebacker in 2020, with Browning the presumptive favorite to win the job.
Teradja Mitchell (20 games played), Dallas Gant (28 games played) and K'Vaughan Pope (23 games played) are all talented third-year players with backup experience who are eager to play their way onto the field this fall.
Like Brian Hartline's group on the other side of the ball, Washington has a multitude of talented players who are candidates for extensive playing time. The main difference between the wide receivers and the linebackers, however, is the experience of those competing. While many of the wideouts vying for spots in the rotation are freshman and sophomores, every linebacker expected to make a run at playing time this year is an upperclassman, though Gant, Pope and Mitchell have had to wait their turn to see the field on a full-time basis so far in their careers.
Last year, Ohio State rotated Borland and Browning at the middle linebacker position. With Browning shifting to the outside, there could be opportunities for rotations at two or more linebacker spots in 2020.
There is simply too much talent on the team to keep four of those linebackers off of the field, so the Buckeyes should look to rotate wherever it makes sense. Rotations allow each player to stay fresh and be better prepared for different situations in the game, helping the defense perform at the highest possible level with little to no drop-off in production.
With the loss of three starters from both the defensive line and the secondary, the linebackers should be the highest-performing aspect of the defense this year. The Buckeyes' experience on the second level is unmatched, with the seven aforementioned players combining for 231 games played.
While Borland, Browning and Werner are the frontrunners to walk out for the first snap against Bowling Green in September's season opener, Gant, Hilliard, Mitchell and Pope are not far behind.
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...success-of-a-relatively-inexperienced-defense
Ohio State's linebacker corps is chocked full of talented upperclassmen, putting together one of the deepest units in all of college football.
It hasn't gotten as much attention looking ahead to the 2020 season as some of Ohio State's other position groups, like wide receiver, but with two returning starters, two former five-star recruits and three four-star juniors occupying the top seven slots of the depth chart, the Buckeyes' linebackers – the bane of their defense just two years ago – has quickly become one of their greatest strengths.
Ohio State's defense lost seven starters from last year's top-ranked defense, including two potential top-three selections (Chase Young, Jeff Okudah) in the NFL draft. Al Washington's unit lost Malik Harrison, but returned seven other linebackers who are seniors or juniors. With an inexperienced roster around them, the Buckeyes' depth at the second level will be imperative to their success.
Tuf Borland and Pete Werner, who have been the starting middle and strongside linebackers for the past two years, are back as third-year starters. Also returning are Baron Browning, a five-star recruit from the class of 2017 who split reps with Borland in 2019, and Justin Hilliard, another one-time five-star recruit who is back for a sixth year of eligibility. The two of them are the top candidates to be the other starting linebacker in 2020, with Browning the presumptive favorite to win the job.
Teradja Mitchell (20 games played), Dallas Gant (28 games played) and K'Vaughan Pope (23 games played) are all talented third-year players with backup experience who are eager to play their way onto the field this fall.
Like Brian Hartline's group on the other side of the ball, Washington has a multitude of talented players who are candidates for extensive playing time. The main difference between the wide receivers and the linebackers, however, is the experience of those competing. While many of the wideouts vying for spots in the rotation are freshman and sophomores, every linebacker expected to make a run at playing time this year is an upperclassman, though Gant, Pope and Mitchell have had to wait their turn to see the field on a full-time basis so far in their careers.
Last year, Ohio State rotated Borland and Browning at the middle linebacker position. With Browning shifting to the outside, there could be opportunities for rotations at two or more linebacker spots in 2020.
There is simply too much talent on the team to keep four of those linebackers off of the field, so the Buckeyes should look to rotate wherever it makes sense. Rotations allow each player to stay fresh and be better prepared for different situations in the game, helping the defense perform at the highest possible level with little to no drop-off in production.
With the loss of three starters from both the defensive line and the secondary, the linebackers should be the highest-performing aspect of the defense this year. The Buckeyes' experience on the second level is unmatched, with the seven aforementioned players combining for 231 games played.
While Borland, Browning and Werner are the frontrunners to walk out for the first snap against Bowling Green in September's season opener, Gant, Hilliard, Mitchell and Pope are not far behind.
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...success-of-a-relatively-inexperienced-defense
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
The good news is that it is pretty formidable committee that can go pretty much 3 deep:
Zach Harrison, Tyreke Smith, Jonathon Cooper, Tyler Friday, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Noah Potter, Jacolbe Cowan, Darrion Henry-Young, Taron Vincent, Tommy Togiai, Haskell Garrett, Antwuan Jackson, and Baron Browning.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
DEFENSIVE END
Yes, Zach Harrison's back for Year 2. Yes, Jonathon Cooper returns for a fifth season. Yes, Tyreke Smith could be in line for a junior breakout. Yes, Tyler Friday, Javontae Jean-Baptiste and Noah Potter each offer ample potential.
But Ohio State will no longer have Chase Young, who had arguably the program's most dominant season by a defensive player of all-time, so how could anybody project this team improves at defensive end? That's simply unrealistic.
Without Young, the Buckeyes need significant jumps in level of play from everybody rushing off the edge, but especially Harrison, Cooper and Smith. Their production will define the success of Larry Johnson's defensive ends, none of whom have ever had more than 3.5 sacks in a season.
Verdict: Worse
Confidence Level: High
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Those who live and die with recruiting rankings will welcome the next wave at defensive tackle. What Ohio State loses in the interior of its defensive line, though, will be tough to replace.
Few players went as overlooked in the Big Ten as DaVon Hamilton, who had six sacks, the most by any Buckeye not named Chase Young last season. Robert Landers and Jashon Cornell are also gone. Neither were stars, but as fifth-year seniors in 2019, they were always reliable.
This fall, Ohio State will turn to a trio of top-100 recruits – Taron Vincent, Tommy Togiai and Haskell Garrett – and the No. 1 junior college recruit from the class of 2018, Antwuan Jackson. Each once regarded as major recruiting victories, it's time for them to lead Ohio State's defensive tackles. The potential as a group, in all likelihood, is higher in 2020. But can they consistently play better than the group led by Hamilton, Landers and Cornell? They set a high bar.
Verdict: Worse
Confidence Level: Low
LINEBACKER
This position group, possibly more than anywhere else, could go either way.
Pessimists could see Pete Werner and Tuf Borland returning as both starters and known commodities, as well as Malik Harrison – the team's best linebacker in 2019 – leaving and wonder how Ohio State could improve. Optimists would wonder whether Werner and Borland can improve while also noting the other five upperclassmen pushing for playing time.
If Al Washington can figure out how to put the four seniors (Werner, Borland, Justin Hilliard, Baron Browning) and three juniors (Dallas Gant, Teradja Mitchell, K'Vaughan Pope) into optimal positions, the Buckeyes could take a step forward. The ability to get each of them to play through their strengths will determine whether or not that happens.
Verdict: Better
Confidence Level: Low
CORNERBACK
With a single decision to remain in school, Shaun Wade allowed Ohio State to avoid catastrophe. That doesn't mean that he'll be part of a better cornerback rotation in 2020 than last year's.
The Buckeyes lost Jeff Okudah to the NFL and Damon Arnette to graduation, leaving Wade behind to be the cornerstone of a group of otherwise first-year starters at cornerback. Sevyn Banks and Cameron Brown each played at least 170 snaps last season, and they appear to be the most likely to step up as starters. Marcus Williamson and Tyreke Johnson are in the picture, too.
With so many unproven commodities, it's just hard to view Ohio State taking a step forward at cornerback as a realistic possibility.
Verdict: Worse
Confidence Level: High
SAFETY
For two-and-a-half years, Jordan Fuller manned a starting safety spot for the Buckeyes. And though he never quite had the flash or play-making acumen of the Malik Hookers of the world, he was the model of consistency. Fuller rarely found himself out of position and was a sure tackler.
In his place, Josh Proctor is expected to take over as Ohio State's next starting safety. Though he'll likely play the same position as Fuller, his style of play differs greatly.
Proctor's a better athlete with more range and ball skills who can lay a nasty hit on ballcarriers. However, he also has been a less consistent tackler who could end up taking more risks to attempt to create turnovers. The ceiling is undoubtedly higher with Proctor at safety, as the ballhawk might legitimately have All-American potential. In his first season as a starter, though, he might not immediately get to that point.
Verdict: Worse
Confidence Level: Low
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Spring’s Unanswered Questions for the Ohio State Cornerbacks
Every year following Ohio State spring football we recap what happened position by position.
Who stepped up, who stepped back, what got fixed, and what didn’t?
With 12 of the 15 spring practices cancelled due to the pandemic, however, essentially nothing happened, nothing got fixed, nobody stepped up, and no questions got answered.
So since we can’t talk about which questions got answered, we will instead discuss which questions still remain.
Position by position.
We have already discussed the quarterbacks, and the specialists, so next up is the Ohio State cornerbacks.
How many are going to rotate?
Defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs said last month that he wanted to be able to rotate three cornerbacks, but we never really got to see how that was going to materialize. We also don’t know if that would have involved the slot corner/strong safety position manned by Shaun Wade last year.
The confidence is high in Shaun Wade, Cameron Brown, and Sevyn Banks, but where Brown and Banks will be is still up in the air. Will one of them being in the slot? Neither? Will Wade, Brown, and Banks rotate out wide at corner, leaving somebody else to manage the slot? Is there anybody else who can even be asked to do it outside of one of those three?
While Coombs will want to rotate, the Buckeyes showed last year that they don’t need to. However, they did allow Banks and Brown to combine for over 400 snaps in 14 games, so they did still give starters Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette a rest.
What do the freshmen have to add?
True freshmen Ryan Watts and Lejond Cavazos enrolled early, which greatly helped out the depth chart. Watts had a strong start to spring ball, but it’s unfortunate for both players that things were cut short. Neither player was ever allowed the repetition of iron sharpening iron, so that bit of improvement will have to wait.
What also has to wait is the evaluation from the coaches. Three practices is a start, but there was no time for either Watts or Cavazos to pick up any momentum. They weren’t able to string practices together and gain significant confidence as their technique improved.
The expectations for both players haven’t changed, but there is still a bit of mystery there than didn’t need to be.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/04/springs-unanswered-questions-ohio-state-cornerbacks/
Every year following Ohio State spring football we recap what happened position by position.
Who stepped up, who stepped back, what got fixed, and what didn’t?
With 12 of the 15 spring practices cancelled due to the pandemic, however, essentially nothing happened, nothing got fixed, nobody stepped up, and no questions got answered.
So since we can’t talk about which questions got answered, we will instead discuss which questions still remain.
Position by position.
We have already discussed the quarterbacks, and the specialists, so next up is the Ohio State cornerbacks.
How many are going to rotate?
Defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs said last month that he wanted to be able to rotate three cornerbacks, but we never really got to see how that was going to materialize. We also don’t know if that would have involved the slot corner/strong safety position manned by Shaun Wade last year.
The confidence is high in Shaun Wade, Cameron Brown, and Sevyn Banks, but where Brown and Banks will be is still up in the air. Will one of them being in the slot? Neither? Will Wade, Brown, and Banks rotate out wide at corner, leaving somebody else to manage the slot? Is there anybody else who can even be asked to do it outside of one of those three?
While Coombs will want to rotate, the Buckeyes showed last year that they don’t need to. However, they did allow Banks and Brown to combine for over 400 snaps in 14 games, so they did still give starters Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette a rest.
What do the freshmen have to add?
True freshmen Ryan Watts and Lejond Cavazos enrolled early, which greatly helped out the depth chart. Watts had a strong start to spring ball, but it’s unfortunate for both players that things were cut short. Neither player was ever allowed the repetition of iron sharpening iron, so that bit of improvement will have to wait.
What also has to wait is the evaluation from the coaches. Three practices is a start, but there was no time for either Watts or Cavazos to pick up any momentum. They weren’t able to string practices together and gain significant confidence as their technique improved.
The expectations for both players haven’t changed, but there is still a bit of mystery there than didn’t need to be.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/04/springs-unanswered-questions-ohio-state-cornerbacks/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Spring’s Unanswered Questions for the Ohio State Linebackers
Every year following Ohio State spring football we recap what happened position by position.
Who stepped up, who stepped back, what got fixed, and what didn’t?
With 12 of the 15 spring practices cancelled due to the pandemic, however, essentially nothing happened, nothing got fixed, nobody stepped up, and no questions got answered.
So since we can’t talk about which questions got answered, we will instead discuss which questions still remain.
Position by position.
Is Baron Browning really going to be used as a pass rusher?
Walking into the end of one of the three spring practice sessions early last month, senior linebacker Baron Browning was seen working with sophomore defensive end Zach Harrison on some pass rush moves. It’s not unusual for a linebacker to be doing extra pass rush work given their status as blitzing pass rushers, but this felt like more.
When speaking to reporters a few minutes later, Browning was asked — perhaps jokingly — if he was moving to defensive end. He responded that he didn’t know because that decision was still up in the air. Part of the reason that decision was still up in the air is because Browning was nursing an injury that was going to limit him early in practice.
Heading into camp, he had already moved away from the middle linebacker spot that he co-occupied with Tuf Borland last year. Instead, he was learning both the Will and Sam. Based on other things seen in those first couple of practices, it seemed like Browning was going to be working at Sam, with an emphasis on third-down pass rushing.
Nothing really materialized there because of the cancellation, but Browning’s role will certainly be one to watch this season.
Is Pete Werner really moving to the Will?
After playing so well last year as the Buckeyes’ do-it-all Sam linebacker, it was a surprise then to see Pete Werner playing inside at the Will in the first two practices.
However, when you consider that the Will linebacker generally leads the Buckeyes in tackles, the move speaks to the trust in Werner from the staff. Nothing was definite yet after talking to Werner and position coach Al Washington, but as long as there is somebody who can handle the Sam (Baron Browning?), then this move would make some pretty decent sense.
Werner has moved around in a camp before, so who knows if it will stick. The possible Browning move to Sam is not unconnected.
But again, spring is a time for experimenting, especially with experienced players.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/04/buckeyes-unanswered-questions-ohio-state-football-linebackers/
Every year following Ohio State spring football we recap what happened position by position.
Who stepped up, who stepped back, what got fixed, and what didn’t?
With 12 of the 15 spring practices cancelled due to the pandemic, however, essentially nothing happened, nothing got fixed, nobody stepped up, and no questions got answered.
So since we can’t talk about which questions got answered, we will instead discuss which questions still remain.
Position by position.
Is Baron Browning really going to be used as a pass rusher?
Walking into the end of one of the three spring practice sessions early last month, senior linebacker Baron Browning was seen working with sophomore defensive end Zach Harrison on some pass rush moves. It’s not unusual for a linebacker to be doing extra pass rush work given their status as blitzing pass rushers, but this felt like more.
When speaking to reporters a few minutes later, Browning was asked — perhaps jokingly — if he was moving to defensive end. He responded that he didn’t know because that decision was still up in the air. Part of the reason that decision was still up in the air is because Browning was nursing an injury that was going to limit him early in practice.
Heading into camp, he had already moved away from the middle linebacker spot that he co-occupied with Tuf Borland last year. Instead, he was learning both the Will and Sam. Based on other things seen in those first couple of practices, it seemed like Browning was going to be working at Sam, with an emphasis on third-down pass rushing.
Nothing really materialized there because of the cancellation, but Browning’s role will certainly be one to watch this season.
Is Pete Werner really moving to the Will?
After playing so well last year as the Buckeyes’ do-it-all Sam linebacker, it was a surprise then to see Pete Werner playing inside at the Will in the first two practices.
However, when you consider that the Will linebacker generally leads the Buckeyes in tackles, the move speaks to the trust in Werner from the staff. Nothing was definite yet after talking to Werner and position coach Al Washington, but as long as there is somebody who can handle the Sam (Baron Browning?), then this move would make some pretty decent sense.
Werner has moved around in a camp before, so who knows if it will stick. The possible Browning move to Sam is not unconnected.
But again, spring is a time for experimenting, especially with experienced players.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/04/buckeyes-unanswered-questions-ohio-state-football-linebackers/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Spring’s Unanswered Questions for the Ohio State Defensive Tackles
Every year following Ohio State spring football we recap what happened position by position.
Who stepped up, who stepped back, what got fixed, and what didn’t?
With 12 of the 15 spring practices cancelled due to the pandemic, however, essentially nothing happened, nothing got fixed, nobody stepped up, and no questions got answered.
So since we can’t talk about which questions got answered, we will instead discuss which questions still remain.
Position by position.
We have already discussed the quarterbacks, the specialists, the cornerbacks, the receivers, the defensive ends, the running backs, the linebackers, and now we tackle the defensive tackles.
Is Taron Vincent ready after a year off?
Taron Vincent was the No. 1 defensive tackle in the 2018 recruiting class. He played a bit as a freshman, gaining more time as the year went on, even notching a sack in the Big Ten Championship Game against Northwestern.
He entered spring ball in 2019 battling with Jashon Cornell for a starting job, but never got to act on that battle because he was injured prior to the season ever getting underway. He missed the entire year, and entered this past spring with question marks about his health, as well as his overall growth as a player.
Those questions now remain without a spring camp to answer them. The Buckeyes are not as deep as they have been at defensive tackle, so not having the opportunity to make everybody a little better is a blow.
Can Tommy Togiai replace DaVon Hamilton and Robert Landers?
Tommy Togiai has been part of a very formidable three-headed monster at nose tackle for the Buckeyes since he arrived in 2018.
Teaming along with DaVon Hamilton and Robert Landers, Ohio State essentially had a perpetual motion machine in the middle.
Last year, Togiai played in every game last season, tallying 16 tackles and two tackles for loss. One of those TFLs occurred in the Big Ten title game against Northwestern.
Togiai is one of the two strongest players on the team, which will no doubt come in handy when football starts up again. But not getting the opportunity to rep with the ones throughout 15 spring practices is going to slow down Togiai’s progress. It won’t stop it, and it won’t be devastating, but it would have certainly helped.
Togiai has played in 26 games in his career, so he will be more experienced than most new starters. But it would have been nice to see him hit the playing field in 2020 with a spring and fall camp under his belt as the top guy at nose tackle.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/04/buckeyes-unanswered-ohio-state-football-defensive-tackles/
Every year following Ohio State spring football we recap what happened position by position.
Who stepped up, who stepped back, what got fixed, and what didn’t?
With 12 of the 15 spring practices cancelled due to the pandemic, however, essentially nothing happened, nothing got fixed, nobody stepped up, and no questions got answered.
So since we can’t talk about which questions got answered, we will instead discuss which questions still remain.
Position by position.
We have already discussed the quarterbacks, the specialists, the cornerbacks, the receivers, the defensive ends, the running backs, the linebackers, and now we tackle the defensive tackles.
Is Taron Vincent ready after a year off?
Taron Vincent was the No. 1 defensive tackle in the 2018 recruiting class. He played a bit as a freshman, gaining more time as the year went on, even notching a sack in the Big Ten Championship Game against Northwestern.
He entered spring ball in 2019 battling with Jashon Cornell for a starting job, but never got to act on that battle because he was injured prior to the season ever getting underway. He missed the entire year, and entered this past spring with question marks about his health, as well as his overall growth as a player.
Those questions now remain without a spring camp to answer them. The Buckeyes are not as deep as they have been at defensive tackle, so not having the opportunity to make everybody a little better is a blow.
Can Tommy Togiai replace DaVon Hamilton and Robert Landers?
Tommy Togiai has been part of a very formidable three-headed monster at nose tackle for the Buckeyes since he arrived in 2018.
Teaming along with DaVon Hamilton and Robert Landers, Ohio State essentially had a perpetual motion machine in the middle.
Last year, Togiai played in every game last season, tallying 16 tackles and two tackles for loss. One of those TFLs occurred in the Big Ten title game against Northwestern.
Togiai is one of the two strongest players on the team, which will no doubt come in handy when football starts up again. But not getting the opportunity to rep with the ones throughout 15 spring practices is going to slow down Togiai’s progress. It won’t stop it, and it won’t be devastating, but it would have certainly helped.
Togiai has played in 26 games in his career, so he will be more experienced than most new starters. But it would have been nice to see him hit the playing field in 2020 with a spring and fall camp under his belt as the top guy at nose tackle.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/04/buckeyes-unanswered-ohio-state-football-defensive-tackles/
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