Next Year

[AKAK]

I just want to play competent defense in games that matter. That's it.

Look, last night sucked but honestly I am not that upset about it. Sometimes it doesn't go your way. Proud of those kids and the way they played. Obviously CJ did everything you could ask.

But motherfucker, I should not be pleasantly surprised to get a pick or hope every arm punt doesn't result in PI because we can't look back for the ball. And we can't pressure the QB enough in obvious passing downs without sending 6-7 guys. For me, that's what isn't cutting it.

Day is as good a QB coach as you'll find. Honestly he probably is a better play caller with a less talented thrower. Lot of luck kinda things went against us this year. Shit happens.

But we need to get an identity on defense.

 

[NCBuckeye86]

So the rest of the off season we will be talking about the next QB. Second will be who is going to step up in the secondary. Year two in the system leaves zero excuses for the defense. Dramatic improvement is needed for the dollars being spent on that side of the ball.

 

[RuGettinIt]

Knowles was brought in to stop all the big plays be given up on defense. Yeah so much for that…

 

[Captain Buckeye]

I just want to play competent defense in games that matter. That's it.

Look, last night sucked but honestly I am not that upset about it. Sometimes it doesn't go your way. Proud of those kids and the way they played. Obviously CJ did everything you could ask.

But motherfucker, I should not be pleasantly surprised to get a pick or hope every arm punt doesn't result in PI because we can't look back for the ball. And we can't pressure the QB enough in obvious passing downs without sending 6-7 guys. For me, that's what isn't cutting it.

Day is as good a QB coach as you'll find. Honestly he probably is a better play caller with a less talented thrower. Lot of luck kinda things went against us this year. Shit happens.

But we need to get an identity on defense.

We have an identity on defense... we just lack the high end talent in the back 7 to play this sort of style. Knowles should've understood that that shouldn't played more zone.

You add that with a defensive line that really doesn't impact games like they use to and the secondary consistently gets exposed.

 

[AKAK]

We have an identity on defense... we just lack the high end talent in the back 7 to play this sort of style. Knowles should've understood that that shouldn't played more zone.

You add that with a defensive line that really doesn't impact games like they use to and the secondary consistently gets exposed.

That makes no sense.

 

[billmac91]

Anyone have a good handle on what the scholarship count looks like next year with assumption departures in seniors with expired eligibility and then:

Stroud
Paris Johnson

I’m nervous about Wypler….really want another year but he was amazing against UGA and boosted his stock. He’s a clear 2nd rd pick at this point….is that enough to entice him?

Obviously Stover and Eichenburg have choices.

Proctor?

Obviously there’s a few up in the air as well.

We have a relatively small class coming in at moment with 20.

Off top of my head I feel like we are going to have quite a bit of roster space. Seems like we should be able to hit portal hard unless we have HS targets unsigned we are going to aggressively approach.

This off-season is going to be pretty active IMO.

Also keep in mind, while we have gotten off to a slow start in portal, we can now give it full focus with season officially over. Also, there’s a lot of players still waiting to enter portal until they have a better picture of what is available at the powerhouses. And don’t forget we are going to lose several more of our own players to portal.

Will be fun/interesting to follow.

 

[daddyphatsacs]

That makes no sense.

I get the point that he was trying to make and I agree with it. Knowles has a scheme that will work at OSU. That being said, our back 7 can’t hang athletically against good offenses. I’m not saying that Georgia is good offensively, but they do just enough. I was at that game last night and can say their offense reminds me of Penn St.

We don’t have dominant defensive players, especially in the secondary. Until that is fixed, we’ll have this same conversation year after year.

P.S. I’ve been lurking for a while, but it’s good to be chatting with you all again. Happy New Year!

 

[AKAK]

I get the point that he was trying to make and I agree with it. Knowles has a scheme that will work at OSU. That being said, our back 7 can’t hang athletically against good offenses. I’m not saying that Georgia is good offensively, but they do just enough. I was at that game last night and can say their offense reminds me of Penn St.

We don’t have dominant defensive players, especially in the secondary. Until that is fixed, we’ll have this same conversation year after year.

P.S. I’ve been lurking for a while, but it’s good to be chatting with you all again. Happy New Year!

Good to see you back

 

[Captain Buckeye]

That makes no sense.

Meant to say we should've played more zone because we don't really have the corners we use to in order to play that aggressive man.

Haven't had those since 2019.

 

[Captain Buckeye]

I get the point that he was trying to make and I agree with it. Knowles has a scheme that will work at OSU. That being said, our back 7 can’t hang athletically against good offenses. I’m not saying that Georgia is good offensively, but they do just enough. I was at that game last night and can say their offense reminds me of Penn St.

We don’t have dominant defensive players, especially in the secondary. Until that is fixed, we’ll have this same conversation year after year.

P.S. I’ve been lurking for a while, but it’s good to be chatting with you all again. Happy New Year!

Exactly. We don't have a Jeff Okudah, Wade or a 5th year senior in Arnette. We especially don't have the skill 2016 had with Conley, Ward, Lattimore, and Hooker.

A Buckeye beat guy said something this morning I agreed with (Matt Baxendale). He said everytime we get another 5 star WR it's like "ok cool but who cares". His point was where are the defensive players? Where's the difference makes that we need to balance out this talented offense.

I'd argue Day hasn't neglected that side of the ball but he's more or less just recruited "good" on defense. Not elite, but good. Well that's what our defense is to no surprise. Good but not elite.

Until we start landing can't miss corners and safety prospects expect these struggles to continue when we play good offense. A good offense will normally always school a good defense. Unfortunately we saw that last night

 

[billmac91]

Kinda telling Mason Arnold (Long snapper) hit the portal today.

Good luck….if I’m reading the tea leaves correct, they weren’t super happy with a play in the Michigan game, and the consistency of snaps throughout his tenure.

No ill will on my end….sounds like a huge gaffe in Michigan game but it’s a thankless position.

 

[1926Buckeyes]

View attachment 34167

With an offense that probably won't be as reliable in a shootout and the same old same old on defense, there are several potential landmines on the schedule

I'm not so sure the offense won't be more consistent next year. Injuries ruined any chance of coherence past the bye week. Everything will depend on the QB and LT, but skill positions were young this year and there's a chance they return the top 3 TEs and RBs along with what will be the best WR tandem in the country.

Beyond that, I'm most excited about WR depth. Fleming will have another year to work on technique and Ballard should rotate in a lot more. Not sure about the '22 class other than Grayes, but I think there's a good shot that Inniss and Tate both see early playing time. Need to be able to have 5 guys you can trust.

Exactly. We don't have a Jeff Okudah, Wade or a 5th year senior in Arnette. We especially don't have the skill 2016 had with Conley, Ward, Lattimore, and Hooker.

Until we start landing can't miss corners and safety prospects expect these struggles to continue when we play good offense. A good offense will normally always school a good defense. Unfortunately we saw that last night

We're starting to see depth built, but we're still at the tail-end of the Grinch recruiting debacle. Even all those great former players you mentioned were in their 3rd years before they really stood out as top tier DBs. I still remember Ward being known for his stone hands in '16 and Okudah looking like just another dude in 2018.

Point being that you're right, there needs to be added emphasis at CB/S, but I don't think Burke and others are a lost cause either. Based on how he played last year versus this year, there's definitely a learning curve due to Knowles/new position coaching and not just playing 2 coverages for the entire season.

'23 was a good year at least. Could've been better, but hopefully we see more progress in '24 and keep building depth.

 

[Captain Buckeye]

I'm not so sure the offense won't be more consistent next year. Injuries ruined any chance of coherence past the bye week. Everything will depend on the QB and LT, but skill positions were young this year and there's a chance they return the top 3 TEs and RBs along with what will be the best WR tandem in the country.

Beyond that, I'm most excited about WR depth. Fleming will have another year to work on technique and Ballard should rotate in a lot more. Not sure about the '22 class other than Grayes, but I think there's a good shot that Inniss and Tate both see early playing time. Need to be able to have 5 guys you can trust.



We're starting to see depth built, but we're still at the tail-end of the Grinch recruiting debacle. Even all those great former players you mentioned were in their 3rd years before they really stood out as top tier DBs. I still remember Ward being known for his stone hands in '16 and Okudah looking like just another dude in 2018.

Point being that you're right, there needs to be added emphasis at CB/S, but I don't think Burke and others are a lost cause either. Based on how he played last year versus this year, there's definitely a learning curve due to Knowles/new position coaching and not just playing 2 coverages for the entire season.

'23 was a good year at least. Could've been better, but hopefully we see more progress in '24 and keep building depth.

Agreed on Grinch. I loathe that guy for what he did or didn't do for his 1 year here. Completely sucked as coordinator and then I think only landed 1 recruit (Bryson Shaw). Guy was upset to be sharing the coordinator spot with Schiano and mailed it in.

Agreed also on the offensive talent. Really just are missing the QB to make it go tbh. I know he's leaving but imagine if CJ comes back lol

 

[pnuts34]

Anyone have a good handle on what the scholarship count looks like next year with assumption departures in seniors with expired eligibility and then:

Stroud
Paris Johnson

I’m nervous about Wypler….really want another year but he was amazing against UGA and boosted his stock. He’s a clear 2nd rd pick at this point….is that enough to entice him?

Obviously Stover and Eichenburg have choices.

Proctor?

Obviously there’s a few up in the air as well.

We have a relatively small class coming in at moment with 20.

Off top of my head I feel like we are going to have quite a bit of roster space. Seems like we should be able to hit portal hard unless we have HS targets unsigned we are going to aggressively approach.

This off-season is going to be pretty active IMO.

Also keep in mind, while we have gotten off to a slow start in portal, we can now give it full focus with season officially over. Also, there’s a lot of players still waiting to enter portal until they have a better picture of what is available at the powerhouses. And don’t forget we are going to lose several more of our own players to portal.

Will be fun/interesting to follow.

My best guess from seeing interviews and what some have said:
Leaves-
Stroud
JSN
PJJ
D Jones
Hickman
Proctor
C Brown
Z Harrison
T Vincent
K Babb
M Rossi
PG
JJB
Friday

Stays-
Stover
Eichenberg
Chambers
Ransom
McAllister
M Williams
E Pryor
K Williams
C Martinez
C Simon
Wylper
M Jones

Apologies if I forgot someone
Like you said, OSU had a very small class, and I think that's because they intend on hitting the Portal once the season ends. That's why I haven't had much issue with the misses during this Portal cycle.

 

[pnuts34]

Next year could be Day's best team, IMO.
On offense basically the only losses are QB and both OTs. WR, OG and RB will all probably be the best in the country. A top 3 WR of: MHjr, Egbuka and Fleming rivals any trio we've had for years; Jackson and M Jones would be 2 of the best OG starters in the country(case in point how Jalen Carter was shut down in the Peach Bowl), and Vimahi and Hinzman behind them is a great backup; if you get a healthy 4 of- Henderson, Williams, Pryor AND Hayden(and maybe Trayanum), then not sure how you can't think that's not the best RB room in the country.

The front 7 on defense will be just insane. JTT and Sawyer at DE. Hall, Williams, Hamilton back at DT(throw in a young Kanu as well). Eichenberg and Steele back at LB and Hicks pushing for time. All of that and the freshman DL are freaks so the depth should be of little worry.

Focus of the off-season should be at DB. A lot will be lost from what was already a bad secondary. Corner there is: Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock, Jyaire Brown and JK Johnson to develop. Safety will be a bit of a bigger challenge. Lathan Ransom is the only one back and he isn’t great. I'm sure there is hope that Styles and Stokes fill in and are good but that’s no lock.

Still, easy to project the offense being as good(I'm assuming QB play is good) and the defense should take a big step forward from the atrocity of the last two games