Remember when D-Wash was but a pup?Thursday's deadline is fast approaching and six Buckeye juniors that filed evaluation paperwork have likely been very busy weighing that heaviest of decisions: do you make a run at captain and one final year of college football and the special atmosphere (and perks) that it provides, or do you get paid?
Though none are likely to be first day selections -- that junior declared last week -- you can make a case for each of them being drafted, which means guaranteed cash and a step up from the grub of the training table.
When Tressel first revealed the names of the juniors that had filed paperwork, I thought that Hartline was the only real risk to leave, but word is starting to swirl about others. Based on what I've heard and some hunches, here's what I think happens:
Gone: Washington, Coleman & Hartline
Washington has been in town for four years and has three years of significant playing time under his belt already. Though he didn't do much to distinguish himself this year, he should still go in the middle rounds. Coleman, on the other hand, probably did the most of any of the juniors to improve his stock this season. He led the team in interceptions and will likely be one of those guys that moves favorably after the combine.
Out of those two, a Washington departure hurts the worst. With Jenkins graduating, the returning corners would be Chekwa, Andre Amos, Donnie Evege, Travis Howard and Orhian Johnson. Or a guy that plays, a guy that's always hurt and three guys that haven't sniffed the field. Not exactly what you want to see with USC coming to town in nine months.
The loss of Hartline would be less of a blow as the team is stacked at wide receiver for the next decade or so. I'm not ruling his return out, but based on the chemistry rumors that were floated earlier in the season and the fact that he's best buds with Todd, I'll be surprised if he sticks around for another year. He didn't have a good season by any stretch, but then again, no receiver did with Pryor cutting his teeth.
Staying: Russell, Ballard & Cordle
Russell could bolt -- he's another guy that's already been with the program for four seasons, but I think he comes back to try to improve his stock. The last play of the Fiesta Bowl certainly won't define where he's taken, but it doesn't exactly help that much either.
Ballard, with great size and hands, would probably get taken in the middle rounds, and NFL scouts are smart enough to know when a guy is underutilized, but I think he comes back for his senior season. Cordle would probably be the only one of the six that wouldn't be a lock to be drafted and settling for the free agency route when you don't have to yet makes little sense. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him have an excellent senior season that could possibly push him up into the 3rd round or so next year.
Wildcards: Small, Taurian Washington & Bauserman
Though Small didn't turn in paperwork to be evaluated, he could still declare for the draft and given the amount of trouble that seems to follow him, you kind of have to wonder whether or not he'll take off. I'd love to see him stick around and put it all together next year. After all, the guy quietly led the Big Ten in punt returns this year.
Taurian Washington and Joe Bauserman aren't draft eligible, but both are prime transfer risks. Washington has somehow mastered the art of catching bombs for six when the coaches aren't looking. That has to be frustrating. Depending on what Hartline and Small do, he could get a shot next season, however. Bauserman, on the other hand, is looking at two more seasons of backing Pryor up before finally getting a crack as a 26 year-old senior in the fall of 2011. And that's assuming Tajh Boyd or some other dual-threat wonder doesn't sign.
What about you? Who do you have leaving early?
Comments
I am actually hoping that Hartline and Russell leave early. Ready for some new, reinvigorated blood at those positions. Of all the playes you mentioned, the 3 I would most like to see stay are Ballard, Cordle and Bauserman. I also thinkg T. Washington has great talent... can't understand why he sees no PT. He certainly has produced during the limited opportunities he's been given.
T. Washington I believe when given an actual chance............can do some things. I am looking forward to Posey..........
T. Washington got behind the coverages back in the Spring game, and he caught 2 TD's from Bauserman ( its an after thought now ) but I have also been scratching my head on that one.
Most nervous about losing D Washington. Depth at corner is an issue if he leaves. Also don't want to see Coleman go as I think he or Russell will need to be the anchor (experienced) leader of the defense.
I'd be okay with Hartline going ... seems to me he turned into a cancer.
Having the ability to open up this offense to speed and slash and burn is just what we need.
I see Coleman coming back as he seems like a guy who wants to be a leader and senior captain. Losing safetys to the draft wouldn't worry me so much if we had Major Wright and Eric Berry in Scarlet and Gray.
You never know what these kids might do especially without knowing the financial situations of each family but I think Coleman and D. Washington are the two most ready to make the leap.
I think Hartline would rather go pro but I have to believe the feedback from NFL folk would be to stay and work on playing receiver and being a good teammate.
I can't even imagine Cordle or Ballard leaving yet especially with the Arena League on hiatus...Nah, I actually think Ballard has some good hands but no way he's ready. And I think Cordle still has a lot to prove and could do that next year to assure he gets drafted in 2010.
Russell -- good question...
That's a good point, Kyle. I sense that from Coleman, too.
I like the guy, but watching Chekwa get straight owned play after play by McCoy and Company during the Fiesta bowl makes me nervous to think he'll be the outright leader of our corners. We better pull a 180 from this season and establish an unreal pass rush from the defensive line by the time 2009 starts, if we hope to give those corners some help. Otherwise, expect lots and lots and lots of shitty soft zone, and lots and lots of frustration on our parts.
I think anderson russel was gonna leave.......until he played texas
Coleman has the most to gain by staying, he'll be the starting strong, and be one of the top in the B10 and the country. He is probably 2nd to 4th round right now, but could easily be a first rounder with one more season at Ohio State.
Defensive secondary is definitely a huge question mark for the Bucks in 09. They had one true DB commit in the 08 class, however i think Orhian Johnson could be real good, he's 6'2! It is very likely we will see some true freshmen get some PT, with this lack of depth I think the Bucks could have done a much better job recruting that area for 09. Although, I have personally seen CJ Barnett in action and he looks llike a NFL guy already. Also, from the same HS coach as Kurt Coleman.
I love Beanie to death, but Im not REAL sad to see him go. We seemed to be struggling with identity at times this year with him in the lineup, couple that with nagging inj's and it might do us well to get a fresh start this year. I think people should be excited about Jaamal Berry and Carlos Hyde. Berry looked electrifying to me, and Hyde is listed as a FB but the dude is gonna run the ball. I cant see a kid his caliber traveling 500 miles to block.
All in all, I think nothing less then another appearance in a BCS bowl is in the cards for the 09 Buckeyes.
Joe Bauserman is not draft eligible? He's at least 5 years removed from high school.
So leave out who is leaving or might be leaving. At WR we could have Small, Washington, Posey, Thomas, and Sanz.. whats his name? as the top 5 WR's to start. All of those guys together means speed and sharper cuts in their routes. I see a receiving corps a lot like 2005 and remember our offense was most productive when we switched to the spread and spread option attack. I like the situation for Pryor and the rb's he can work with. The offensive line however should be a faster more mobile unit as most have seen at times this season Michael Brewster blasting off the line to make blocks down field. That's crucial to the run AND pass game.
The offense just needs a new coordinator. One who is creative, energetic, and fearless to do anything and I mean ANYTHING to rack up points on the board and attack the defense. Running at every angle either with rb's, receivers, or using Pryor. Passing to all dimensions of the field and what not. Even trick plays here and there. You have to put yourself in the shoe's have another team looking at film of your offense. Do you want to look predictable to that team OR would you rather look totally unpredictable and have no idea how to best prepare for the game?
On a change at offensive coordinator...
In my opinion it was unTresselike to start a freshmen at qb. (I agree that he started Pryor btw) but my point is if Tressel did that and kept him his starter for the rest of the season then that's similar to going shopping for a new O-coord. AND handing the offense to him. Doing that would also be unTresselike. But overall I would love to see it happen. The guy I would of ideally liked was Dan Mullen out of Florida but he is a HC now. And obviously because he is a terrific OC.
Oh and I've been talking about the O all this time, as for the defense...
Heacock needs to go.
Nuff said.
Our secondary was already so-so, and unless these new guys are really good, it looks like we'll need to survive a shootout to beat USC next Fall. As long as Pryor improves in the offseason (something Boeckman didn't do), then our offense could be pretty slick. Posey, Sanzenbacher, Charles, these guys are for real. Herron is quick and got better as the year progressed, and this new guy Berry should push the backfield for playing time. But USC never seems to have question marks remaining for very long...they might be the only team that survives seamless transitions year after year. So, Tress has his work cut out for him this offseason...here's to a great spring and an even better summer.
I wont bat an eye if coleman leaves. nothing against him, but I think he is just slightly above average
I've already gone on record calling a 3-4 loss season next year, but I've backed off on it looking at the schedule next year. However, if these guys do leave, three-to-four losses sounds about right, based on the miserable state of the offense and the fact that Bollman isn't on the streets yet. None of those potential early departures are first-day picks (the Lions and Bengals, of course, might see something in them but I would not count on them), and all of them would only help themselves into the first day by returning next season and leading a defense that, all things considered, should finish in the top 10 in the country. Based, of course, on returning talent, not on Heacock's "schemes".
And what's with this "hoping" kids leave early? It never ceases to amaze me when people profess to live and die by a team yet so blatantly have a personal distaste for random players who don't play the way that particular fairweather fan wants them to play. I don't want any of these kids to leave. They've given three or four years of their young lives to my team. Rooting against them, hating them for not living up to expectations, is the epitome of fairweather fandom. Get off their backs. Whatever your opinion may be of them, they're still kids, and they're still trying their hardest to succeed.
Hoping that a particular player chooses to leave early with the belief that the player who replaces him will be an upgrade in terms of on-the-field performance is a LONG way from "rooting against" him or "hating" him. Don't know how you make that leap. I never suggested that they should be benched or cut from the team, nor did I disprespect their effort. If they make the choice to stay another year, I will continue rooting for them as I root for every Buckeye player and I will appreciate the effort that they put into being a member of the team. I am certainly not a fairweather fan. But, as a fan, I see nothing wrong in preferring one player over another, and if Hartline and Russell CHOOSE to leave early, the door will be opened to other players (e.g., Thomas, Stoneburner, O. Johnson) getting more opportunity to show what they can do. THAT is what I am hoping for.
Don't mind Pogue, he just likes being pissy on any given sunday. I didn't detect any personal attack in your hope that B-hart and Russell leave early.
I know we hate the word "rebuild" in Buckeye Nation, but that is what's going to happen. The good news is we can still win the Big 10 while in re-build mode. Hopefully they will be clicking on all cylinders by the end of the season.
I thought Coleman really came on as the year progressed. I have a personal vendetta against Anderson Russell, however.
Tebow officially announced he is coming back. Shit. Pryor, now would be the time to win that (first) Heisman.
I believe it's called "5th round syndrome".
You are correct. I guess technically he could leave.
I hear a lot of OSU fans say, "we don't rebuild, we reload." I guess we'll see next year with USC as the second game.
You'd rather have a player who's barely seen the field playing over a proven veteran starter who's done more good than bad. Nice.
The only team that doesn't "rebuild" right now is USC. Every other program has a rebuilding season at some point. It's nothing to be ashamed of.
Totally agree, Poe.
I think he came from an underprivileged family that could use the money now. Mother and siblings to take care of. I really see him going to take care of his family, he doesn't have the luxury of someone like Colt Mccoy who was raised in a pretty well off family.
My former high school team could finish seventh in the Big T(elev)en.
[...] a quick update to the question on juniors that might be considering an early departure, Ken Gordon spoke with Hartline Sunday [...]
1st paragraph: meh...
2nd paragraph: AMEN!
I'd rather have a player on the field who does more GREAT than good.
Boy, that'd make a great bumper sticker.
.......not sure I see any of those six ranking high enough to be a 1 day draft pick......smart decision for Beanie to go pro......but dumb one for any of these guys.
you sound as dumb as you probably are. Heacock's defense got better and better and needs better players...period. His defense was no different then Dantonio's. Coach Dan just had better players. Think I'm wrong? G o back and rewatch 2002 and watch his soft zone that almost cost us four games if not for luck. Watch 2001 and watch coach Dan's defense collapse at psu and wisconsin and almost let um win. N o difference except playmakers like Doss, Wilhelm, and that line. When you lose 3 games something always gets blamed. We are not getting a new offensive coordinator unless Tress leaves. But you sound like the typical Buckeye idiot.
but you...an idiot...can attack successful coaches. Grow up punk