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Offensive Experience in '16

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buckeye phi's picture
February 6, 2016 at 7:57pm
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Ohio State's offense in 2016 might not be as inexperienced as a lot of fans seem to think.  Much has been made of the fact that the Buckeyes' roster will include 45 freshmen this year.  Of course, that figure includes the incoming class as well as the red-shirt freshmen already with the team.  With so many freshmen on the roster - and so many starters from the 2015 offense departing for the NFL, one might wonder how an experienced starting offense in '16 could be possible.  

Looking at it position by position, there's actually good reason for optimism in spite of the losses and all the youth.  Be it players returning from injury or role players from '15 just waiting their chance to become starters – there's a considerable amount of experienced offensive talent returning in 2016.  

At quarterback, as most fans already know, JT Barrett will be returning for his red-shirt junior year.  Barrett was electrifying when he was unexpectedly thrust in to duty as a red-shirt freshman in 2014 – setting school and conference records in the process.  However, while recovering from the injury that ended his '14 campaign prematurely, Barrett didn't start until half-way through the '15 season – eventually, only returning fully to form in just the last two games.

Naturally, the loss of a player like Ezekiel Elliott will be felt – but it appears Curtis Samuel will be returning to running back (from wide receiver) – at least, to begin the season.  Mike Weber, a highly regarded red-shirt freshman, will almost certainly press for playing time – and he'll probably get it – gradually.  But for the purposes of this topic, Samuel (a junior) – and at least, to some degree, red-shirt senior, Bri'onte Dunn – will provide some experience and stability at the crucial RB position. 

It's likely Weber will eventually become that workhorse, every-down kind of back the Buckeyes have relied upon for generations.  And as that happens, Samuel (as a former WR) easily has the versatility to take reps at H-back and/or WR – keeping one of the team's best play-makers on the field along with Weber when the time comes.  

Speaking of H-back, it appears Dontre Wilson may have finally recovered fully from the foot injury that ended his 2014 season prematurely.  Wilson was just beginning to live up to the Buckeyes' lofty expectations of him when the injury occurred - and it continued to nag him throughout 2015.  However, it was recently reported that he's joined Ohio State's Track and Field Team (for the indoor season).  That can only be a good sign – he's not doing that on a bad foot. 

Early in the season, wide receiver, Corey Smith (who was recently awarded his sixth year of eligibility) suffered an eerily similar season-ending injury to the one Noah Brown suffered just before the season began (a badly broken leg). Both are expected to fully recover and to play (and probably start) at wide receiver in '16. Then there's Parris Campbell (possibly the fastest Buckeye) who started several games at WR in '15 – although, his red-shirt freshman season was marred by injury, as well.

Nick Vannett, is off to the NFL – but the Buckeyes ran a lot of two tight end sets in '15 - therefore, the #2 tight end from last season, Marcus Baugh (a junior), already has quite a bit of playing time under his belt. He showed a little flash of what may come at tight end in '16 with a huge reception in the Fiesta Bowl, incidentally.

So far – that's considerable returning experience on offense – right?

Well, as Urban Meyer often says: “This is an offensive line-driven team”. And in '16, experience on the o-line may be an issue. Both starting guards from last season's line are returning – and that's about it. They are both excellent and versatile players, though. In fact, Pat Elflein is expected to slide over to the vacated center position - although, Billy Price would also be able to do so if needed.

Based on comments offensive coordinator (and former offensive line coach), Ed Warinner, has made about Evan Lisle, it's reasonable to assume he'll have an edge in grabbing the open guard spot. Warinner has gone so far as to say Lisle could have actually started in '15. The red-shirt junior could also play tackle, if necessary.

But speaking of tackle - no matter what happens at the middle three spots, it's never good to be looking at two inexperienced tackles. Enter Malcolm Pridgeon.

Urban Meyer is not known for recruiting junior college players – so it must have taken some persuading by Warinner and new o-line coach, Greg Studrawa, to add Pridgeon to an already crowded recruiting class. Apparently, Warinner and Studrawa are convinced Pridgeon could start at the major college level immediately. There would be no other reason to suddenly go the JUCO route.

At 6'8” and by all accounts, a fairly lean 320lbs, Pridgeon certainly has the required size. They're saying he has the athleticism, too. As an experienced starter, making the adjustment from JUCO to FBS level play may be the only issue.

If that works out as expected, the “other” tackle spot would then be the only remaining question. With junior, Jamarco Jones, and sophomore, Isaiah Prince waiting in the wings, the talent is certainly there. In fact, if Jones had shown Warinner more consistency, he may have started ahead of (departing senior) Chase Farris, in '15. But Prince is the lineman who drew the most rave reviews out of last year's freshmen class.

If neither Jones nor Prince proves to be up to the task, though, Lisle could step in at tackle. That would then leave room at guard for Demetrious Knox – another highly regarded interior lineman. In any case, Ohio State may actually only have one truly raw prospect starting on the offensive line in '16.

This isn't to suggest the offense won't experience significant growing pains in '16. Far from it. And surely, lots of younger players will get plenty of playing time, as well– adding even more drama. It's just that it probably won't be the disaster a lot of fans seem to think it might be.

Offensively, 2016 could be a very exciting year. Defensively, there are even more questions when it comes to experience. But that might not be quite as troubling as it first appears, either -

 

 

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