Get Your Early January Lineup Speculation On
Before we get into the serious fun of projecting Ohio State’s 2010 lineup, we have to sort out who’s staying, who’s going and touch on the delayed big addition to the roster.
Won’t you please return for a shot at the crystal?Sophomore safety Rocco Pentello became the first Buckeye to make his intentions known when he announced that he was transferring to Ashland University. The former high school quarterback will try to earn playing time at that position for the Division II Eagles after two tough scout team years in Columbus.
Receivers Taurian Washington and Lamaar Thomas have long been rumored to be transfer candidates. Due to Carter and Small’s troubles, both received additional snaps in the Rose Bowl, but neither recorded a catch or saw a ball thrown their way (despite the fact that Washington actually started the game and saw significant minutes). The word is Flash is gone for suresies, while Washington is still on the fence. It would be a shame to lose either of them, but with the depth at the position and some of the younger guys battling for time, I can see why they would consider heading elsewhere for a chance to play.
On the early departure front, 10 Buckeye juniors filed evaluation paperwork with the NFL, but it’s thought that only four of them, Gibson, Heyward, Hines and Chekwa are actually considering leaving. Gibson, long thought to be taking his game to the next level, has made some encouraging statements as of late, but I’d be shocked to see him back next season. Hines is a guy that I could see leaving and Chekwa, though he could benefit tremendously from sticking around for another year of seasoning, would be a first day guy if he left. Heyward, despite the urging to cash-in from his teammates, is probably a lean to return. He flew a bit under the radar, though his performance in the Rose Bowl had one scout gushing that he could be a mid first-rounder.
At this point, it’s hard to pin down the decisions of any of the four. A lot can happen between now and the January 15th, the date they must declare by, and large sacks of money have a way of altering one’s leanings. What’s helped me best through the years is to assume they’re all leaving and then treat it as a bonus when a player announces his return.
The Buckeyes added to their depth at running back when big Carlos Hyde arrived in Columbus and began taking classes. Hyde, originally part of the ‘09 recruiting class, did not qualify and spent time at Fork Union getting his grades in order. Now, he’s safely vibin in his dorm:
It’s nice to see this because so many of the non-qualifiers kind of quietly disappear. Carlos turned in the hard work and will hopefully get to see that payoff soon.
Now for the fun part. Assuming the worst and all four juniors mentioned above leave early for the NFL as well as the transfers of Washington and Thomas, the depth would project somewhere along these lines:
Offense
- QB: Pryor, Bauserman, Guitton
- RB: Saine, Herron, Hall, Berry, Rod Smith and Hyde (!)
- FB: Boren, Homan
- WR: Posey, Sanzenbacher, Carter, Fields, Jackson
- TE: Stoneburner, Fragel, DiLilo
- OL: Boren, Brewster, Browning, Shugarts, Adams, Hall, Miller, Mewhort, Longo, Linsley (!!)
Defense
- DE: Williams, Thomas, Fellows, Newsome
- DT: Larimore, Simon, Goebel, Bellamy
- LB: Homan, Rolle, Bell, Sabino, Klein, Whiting, Sweat
- CB: Torrence, Howard, Brown, Evege
- S: Johnson, Barnett, Wood, Domicone
Special Teams
- K: Barclay
- P: Buchanan
If everyone comes back, the Buckeyes will return 16 starters, but again, assuming the apocalyptic scenario in which Gibson, Heyward, Hines and Chekwa all leave, Tressel will still have an offense that’s perhaps as diverse as he’s ever had and a defense that is experienced and solid, even if it needs to break some youngsters in.
The defensive depth also doesn’t account for Tyler Moeller, who could be back to his havoc-wreaking ways in the fall if things go right for him, nor do the units include anyone from the 2010 class as that’s still too far off to pencil in.
What’s your take? How equipped do you think the Bucks will be for a run later this year?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijMHAxABRM8
for funsies.
My biggest worry is a lack of experience in the secondary. Torrence showed some real improvement this year, I think Hines would be a bigger loss than Chekwa. I saw Chekwa get burned several times this season for not turning to the ball, he could really use another year to get better in coverage. Glad to see Hyde made it after all! Man, could we have used him this year. Maybe Dave would have enjoyed some more success with a bruiser like him toting the rock.
Based on some comments I have read, Ill be surprised if Moeller plays again. Just my opinion, and I hope that I am wrong.
Also, it seems to be that Rod Smith is headed for a redshirt for sure.
Well, hopefully Berry is the stud recruit we thought, and espn thought.
We could you someone with cat quick speed from south flordia.
With a year of experience under his belt ie: Plays, system, depth, mental.
Saine should be are main ball carry…Sorry, but toward of seeing boom run for a yard, or run threw a great whole only to look like he is diving (shoe string tackle) sigh…. (no breakaway speed)
Secondary is my biggest concern, I think we had a B average secondary with coleman, hines, chekwa, torrence. Lose coleman, hines, chekwa, ouch….
Or, maybe there are some studs waiting to get a shot. ie: Highly Recruited Corey Brown, Barnett, possible Lawtan Anderson…
All in all this should be once again a stacked defense (always is). Would love to see someone push Posey maybe corey brown, james louis, tryone williams, or Carter, Fields, Jackson.
My take this should be the best O-line we have had in a long time… Should be a good year.
Duran is right, this “SHOULD” be the best O line since 2002 (earlier?). But, we buckeye fans say that year in and year out.
If, for once, they live up to potential, they should be able to hold their own against any group of D-linemen. Which removes any excuse for tressel not dialing up more routes to the TE.
Could be a very special year.
I think this years line, after Purdue was in fact the best line we’ve seen in a long time.
Only if you ignore Cordle’s performance.
the oline in 2002 was a disaster…I think Krenzel was sacked over 32 times
Man the o-line could be scary especially if Seantrel Henderson commits. The way Sabino keeps getting no playing time really makes me think that Jordan Hicks is a needed LB recruit.
Sabino not getting playing time is a testament to 1. the depth ahead of him (it’s not like he’s getting passed by players in his own class or younger) and 2. the abundance of time we spend in the nickel.
How many times have we played a backup linebacker? Very few, from my unofficial eyes (other than when Homan was hurt and Sweat is his backup). Our linebacking recruiting with Sabino, Sweat, Bell, Klein, and Whiting on the way is fine. I would love to get Hicks but we’ll be fine.
Hicks is not coming here. Period. Wish it weren’t so.
Don’t give up on Sabino.. All you have to do is look at a guy like Brian Rolle to see that sometimes it just takes a bit longer for the light to go on.
I don’t think Chekwa will end up going, word is he didn’t grade out as good as he thought he would. He could probably benefit from coming back..
in other news, Hankins to commit this evening..
Did the game get moved to his school?
Is he really going to commit to tOSU in the state of Michigan.
Someone please get this on YouTube!
Apparently he is going to commit during halftime of his high school basketball teams game tonight…
He scares me in man to man coverage.
Here is my question…how in the world are we going to keep all of our RB’s happy? Obviously Saine and Boom will have the most opportunity, but Hall looked good at times this year and Berry will want some carries, think this causes any problems?
In my opinion this is not a problem at all. I mean if a couple RB’s aren’t happy tough luck, this will create all kinds of competition for playing time and could ultimately end up openning the offense up more. They can line up Saine to go out for pass plays. Finally run the Pistol like they have been talking about. This will only give them options, and guys like Berry, Hyde, Hall, etc will all get touches.
Also, Berry and Hyde will be Freshmen (eligibility-wise). Saine only has one year left and I wouldn’t be surprised if the pressure from those two force Boom out (if he doesn’t lose his job straight up).
I have been thinking the same thing. If Berry doesn’t see significant carries next year (first or second string) I wouldn’t be surprised if he jumps ship. I really want to see Hyde involved – but what does this mean for Martin? Does Martin get bumped to second (or third) string fullback? Looks like there could be a high probability Rod Smith red shirts. And Hall, who I really enjoyed watching this season, I hope won’t get lost in the shuffle either. That leaves Saine as the most obvious first string, and Boom as the second, based on experience?
While the tailback by committee thing started to gel towards the end of the season (see: >200 yards rushing), I’d really love to see one of them separate himself from the pack and be the clear feature back.
All accounts of Berry point to him being a contributor in some way or another and that there is no way he doesn’t see the field. You have to remember he was injured the entire season.. He had a nagging Hamstring injury that just wouldn’t go away… He is finally healthy..
and about Rod Smith, who knows? I love how many backs we have.. just hoping that one of them is the next big ohio state back that everyone talks about..
I think the offense will do in 2010 what the defense did in 2009. dominate. got some real winners coming in as long as every one sighns that has gave a verbal. d-line will still be a force how ever the depth will take some lumps and wont have a great rotation going on. lb’s look great on paper and should on the field. dont see hicks coming to cbus. bell and sabino should and hopefully will help people forget that a home grown kid left town. imagine if andy katzemoyer or spielman left to go out of state.(yikes) secondary will scary and not scary in a good way. how ever if hines and chekwa come back it could be a force to mess with. you have brown and johnson moeller giving you some depth. one of those three will be starter and the others nickel and depth. special teams will not be so special next year. people leaving really hurts special teams. punter,kicker and coverage all look to be weak. worst ever
Hicks wasn’t born in Ohio, he really doesn’t feel any ties to here…
I had the pleasure of meeting Heyward after the bowl game. He seemed pleasantly surprised that someone was wearing his jersey to the game. I have a feeling that if he comes back he won’t be as surprised any more.
Anyone know the proper way to care for a signed jersey?
Mike, if Heyward comes back, can we credit you? You have your assignment over the next few weeks…
I was looking over at Rivals to see if there is any news on recruits, and of course there’s not, at least none that is free. Anyway, I got to thinking they are in the running for 4, 5 star guys. I really think they land 3 of them and possibly sneak in on Hicks. Floyd seems like a real possibility, Henderson has it down to USC/OSU and USC is on the verge of real trouble in my opinion. Wouldn’t be surprised if the football team ends up like the basketball team in the near future. Everyone seems to think Anderson is a lock too. Then you add Bryant to the mix and the end of this recruiting season could put this class right up at the top again.
There is no way we get Hicks, he is texas bound all the way..
nope…. FLORIDA!!!
Well that’s fine by me. It’s not like he’s going to play right out of the gate anyway. If Sabino and Bell had to sit and wait or redshirt, there’s not going to be room for Hicks next year. Still Floyd, Anderson, Henderson, and Bryant would be one hell of a finish to the recuiting season.
I’m pretty sure Florida took themselves out of the race with all the coaching changes according to inside info..
He was throwing up the Hook’em horns during the Under Armour Game… c’mon now….
He was also hanging out with every florida recruit!
Hicks cant argue where the guy was born. but since the kid could play football its been here in ohio,now if he goes plays at the old gators it wont be the first ohio player we lost to the gators or texa. osu cant get them all. like too but hey it works out it works out.
its all good hope washington stays he has earned pt and catches (not in april) kept his mouth shut and did hid job great blocking in rose bowl. see what happens jan 15 and come signing day. if moeller plays i would like to see him roll over to the hines rover position that he is naturally suited for.
http://twitter.com/Male_Hines
I’m not sure if I am reading too much into this, but on Jermale Hines’ twitter he says “Damn all the underclassmen declaring be my guest.” This would seem to imply that he has no intention of leaving early.
damn, I am surprised Tressel and company haven’t made him take down this account! I hope people are too sensitive to the word fag.
Thadeus Maximus will not be on the field next season…. very sad.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft10/news/story?id=4798056
Well, hopefully he’s not a bust, guess it’ll give more time for Williams to become more consistent.
Hines is thinking about leaving? I can’t think that that’s a solid choice for him. He saw limited action and IMHO there’s not enough game tape of him out there for him to be a 2nd round pick.
It would be nice to return some more of the D-line starters, but all we talked about this year is that any one of 8 guys could have started D-line. Those are positions that will not miss a beat. Defensive backfield is a bit of a concern, but we’ll just have to see how they play. I would feel a lot better knowing Hines comes back, the guy was all over Oregon.
So, 2010 should pan out to be an opposite year to 2009 – relying on an experienced offense to carry much of the load as a young defense develops. Sort of like 2006. I’m not expecting a national title run. We’ll probably beat Miami at home, but look for a USC-style let down during Big Ten play. As the Big Ten gets stronger and stronger, it will be tough to beat everybody.
Another Big Ten title, and a trip to Pasadena would be most welcome! The national title is a joke game. Even when you win it (like we did in 2002), the prestige is short-lived, and if there was a controversial call, you’ll never live it down…even after going 14-0. Pasadena on New Years Day, there was nothing like it in all my life, and if there’s not going to be a playoff, that’s where I’d rather be.
I’m with you…. I would love to go back to the old ways and Play in the Rose Bowl if we win the big-10. Let the AP and coaches figure out who the National Champ is after all the bowls…. and besides, taking 2 big 10 teams per year into the BCS puts weaker big 10 teams into the other bowl games….. no one ever factors that in.
HEYWARD IS COMING BACK……hallelujiah (or however you spell it and at this point, who cares)
Heyward and Chekwa are back
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=204865326