I thought this would be a fun discussion, and below is a list of the incoming players:
- Warren Ball RB
- De'Van Bogard S
- Kyle Dodson OT
- Pat Elflein OG
- Frank Epitropoulos WR
- Jamal Marcus LB
- Najee Murray DB
- Joey O'Connor OG/C
- David "Boom" Perkins LB
- Armani Reeves CB
- Tommy Schutt DT
- Ricquan Southward WR
- Noah Spence DE/LEO
- Blake Thomas TE
- Adolphus Washington DE
- Camren Williams LB
Assuming Kyle is healthy, I think he'll get into the 2-deep at OT pretty quickly. I also expect Joey O'Connor to get into the 2-deep quickly. It seems like depth at LB and DB is still being addressed, so I'd expect guys like Jamal Marcus, Boom Perkins, Cam Williams, and Armani Reeves to get some serious looks if not actual playing time. Given Coach Meyer's comments about our WRs, I would think Ricquan and Frank have a chance to make a statement as well.
I expect the D Line to rotate often to keep them fresh, so guys like Adolphus and Tommy could see some time on the field. Also, considering the uncertaintly surrounding Nate Williams, I would expect Noah Spence to get plenty of playing time.
Good topic.
I agree with your picks.
The OLine is not deep at all so obviously those kids will be quick to make an impact. I don't see Jacoby Boren on the list, but he is already on the 2-deep.
vacuuming sucks
My guesses:
Warren Ball RB redshirt
De'Van Bogard S plays special teams and back-up STAR
Kyle Dodson OT in the OT rotation
Pat Elflein OG redshirts
Frank Epitropoulos WR plays limitedly and special teams
Jamal Marcus LB special teams and some reps
Najee Murray DB redshirts
Joey O'Connor OG/C works way into RG rotation
David "Boom" Perkins LB may be specialist/special teamer but on fence here (raw)
Armani Reeves CB in two deep
Tommy Schutt DT gets in at DT rotation
Ricquan Southward WR redshirts
Noah Spence DE/LEO pass rushing specialist/3rd downs
Blake Thomas TE redshirts
Adolphus Washington DE in rotation at LEO
Camren Williams LB challenges for two deep at MIKE and special teams
1. Noah Spence/Adolphus Washington:Talent + opportunity = one of these two plays a lot this season. The DL always rotates in fresh bodies, and with N. Williams on the mend, rush end is a position where the more impressive of the aforementioned freshmen will definitely get plenty of PT.
2. Armani Reeves: The dismissal of D Clarke leaves us very thin at CB. There will be packages that call for 5 or even 6 DBs, and when those packages are called, I'd bet money that Reeves is on the field.
3. Taylor Decker: He's in a dog fight with Fragel for a starting position. If he loses the starting spot, he'll be the first guy in if one of the OTs rolls an ankle or worse.
4. Michael Thomas: Already made a splash at a position that will rotate plenty of guys looking for a playmaker. Given his Spring performance, he'll get the opportunity to show whether he can be that playmaker.
I agree with Alex... Perkins is an interesting one for me, simply because I keep hearing about his freakish abilities and speed, just wonder if he shows up as advertised, if he doesnt get more involved
BTW, I didn't list early enrollees since those players have already had the chance to make the 2-deep. I wanted to discuss the players who are coming soon to campus.
OK, cool.
It is funny because I almost think of the early enrollees as part of a different class. The kids who don't enroll early sure seem to get lost in the shuffle because once they are signed the recruiting world moves onto the juniors in high school so fast it makes your head spin.
Obviously Mike Thomas has the benefit of being on campus and will undoubtedly get some PT.
I know the DLinemen that are coming in are great talents, but they are coming into a tough situation. I really don't see any of them getting much field time.
vacuuming sucks
Alex looks dead on. I can't wait to see Perkins on special teams this year.
@ maestro,
M. Bennet last year, J Hankins the year before that, J. Simon before that, and C. Heyward before that . . . well, you get the idea. It seems every year an incoming freshman cracks the two-deep on the DL and gets a chance to contribute. Given the talent coming in on the DL, I suspect it'll happen again this year. Either Spence or Washington (and possibly both) will be an impact freshman in '12.
Great points ASat. My point was the Hankins, Bennett, Goebel, Simon, Bellamy, Williams, Hale, Miller, Moore, Farris, Chris Carter etc. are are still around. Tough sledding for a true freshman that doesn't get the benefit of spring practice is all I am saying.
vacuuming sucks
It will be tough sledding for all these kids to earn PT or a spot on the 2-deep which is what makes this discussion interesting. Obviously, D Line is pretty stacked, but it's also apparent that they will rotate allowing more players to get on the field. IMO, that helps incoming frosh like Noah and Adolphus (and maybe Schutt) earn some PT.
My other predictions were in positions where depth seems to be a concern.
I hope this isn't misconstrued as a flame, I'm a little confused though. According to Alex's predictions, 31% of these guys may redshirt.
http://www.elevenwarriors.com/buckshot/2012/02/b1g-blog-qa-with-urban-meyer
http://ohiostate.247sports.com/Board/121/QA-with-Meyer-today-Great-ReadNo-Redshirting-7482584/1#a7483120
Those who stay will be CHAMPIONS!
~Bo Schembechler
No doubt the DL is stacked, but it is NOT stacked at the one position where Spence/Washington will be hoping to crack the two-deep. That position is rush end. Of course, we all hope N. Williams is both healthy and in game shape (it's been a long time since he played ball), but other than Williams who do we have to bring speed off the edge? Bellamy? Bennett? S. Miller? As Alex already pointed out, look for Spence/Washington on 3rd and long. Simon can move inside on obvious passing downs, making room at DE for a speedy edge rusher.
@Hail I think Urban more meant that as he is recruiting guys with the intent and emphasis on not redshirting them. But ultimately I think that will depend on position depth and obviously the player. Could be wrong but I have always interpreted those comments to mean that seniority wont really play a role in terms of who plays, the best players will be on field no matter how old they are. I guess time will tell.
Those are good points, ASat. In my original post, I didn't put Adolphus in the same category as Nate Williams and Noah, so that was my bad.
I agree with Corveyer, I think Meyer's point was that he will not recruit players with the intent to redshirt them. Obvioulsy players will get redshirted, but it won't be something that will be decided before a player even hits the practice field for the first time as a freshman. It will be because that player simply wasn't good enough to contribute that season.
@ Hail, you also have to remember that not all of these kids were Meyer recruits. Several were commited before Urban was in Columbus.
vacuuming sucks
No ones really said Armani Reeves, kids crazy athletic I would expect him to get into the return game right away as well as the DB rotation.
Adolphous is a guy that turns his talent into statistics right away more so then Noah Spence, Adolphous absolutley thrilled scouts in individual workouts and with his size I don't expect much of a learning curve. I would imagine seeing Adolphous as the possible LEO and/or 3rd down line men.
We will have to see about Kyle Dodsoon, from what i've read he's a little over weight and not quite the mold urban likes his linemen. BUT the kid has talent and o-line hasn't been our cup of tea in previous season.
As for Camren and "Boom" I expect them both to contribute in the special teams. I remember hearing when Urban Meyer was at Florida he gave priority on everything to special teams players, he likes putting his athletes out there at a young age to get some PT.
Rural, I actually did mention Armani.
As for Kyle Dodson, Urban recruited him, so I'm sure Coach Mick and he can make him into the player they need him to be. I think the biggest question will be if he's 100% from his surgery (torn labrum).
Sounds like Mike Thomas will see some playing time. Washington and Spence will see time on specialty downs, Decker will either start or be back-up at OT. Other than that I don't see anyone else getting quality playing time unless injurues happen.
like to see them all get playing time unless they have a injury.
no one wants to sit on the bench for a year
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