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Defensive Experience in '16

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buckeye phi's picture
February 13, 2016 at 5:15pm
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There has been a lot of talk lately about how much talent is departing for the NFL from Ohio State's 2015 team.  In fact, the fourteen Buckeyes invited to the NFL's 2016 Draft Combine will tie the record for the most players invited from one team that OSU, itself, set a decade ago.  

Naturally, that will leave Ohio State with an extremely inexperienced team in 2016.  Or, will it?

With only three “returning starters” on each side of the ball, it's easy to see why there's so much hand-wringing going on when it comes to experience – or the lack, thereof.  But the situation going in to the '16 season may not be quite as dire as it first appears. 

Some of the greatest football minds of all time have said it's best to build a team from the inside – out.  Assuming Curtis Samuel moves back to rb - at least, to begin the season -  the Buckeyes will have a great deal of experience at rb, qb, center and one guard spot on offense.  That's not bad. 

But the offense was discussed here last week.  Things get a little trickier on defense. 

Of course, the best middle-linebacker in America (junior-to-be, Raekwon McMillan) will be returning.  The projected starter at the “1 technique tackle” position, Michael Hill, got a lot of playing time in '15, too.  In fact, both starting tackles (Hill and Donovan Munger) from the Fiesta Bowl are returning - along with key back-up, Tracy Sprinkle.  All three will be red-shirt juniors in '16, by the way. 

For that matter - including WDE, (junior) Tyquan Lewis and SDE, (rs sophomore) Sam Hubbard - the entire d-line from the Fiesta Bowl is returning in '16. 

The greatest concern in the middle of the field defensively is, of course, at safety.  Right now – Ohio State has only one healthy scholarship safety returning from the '15 roster (rs sophomore, Malik Hooker).  But depending on how a couple of off-season rehabs are progressing - the situation at safety might not as problematic as it appears at first glance. 

If Erick Smith, recovers fully from season ending knee surgery in time, the Buckeyes will have a very highly regarded safety returning - even though one could not say the junior has gained a great deal of game experience after playing behind the likes of Vonn Bell for two years.  Veteran back-up, Cam Burrows is expected to be back from a season ending foot injury, as well.  

If there's anything to the idea that experience through the middle of the team is essential, the '16 squad could actually be fairly sound.  

Looking at the perimeter defenders, there's not much experience – but there is a great deal of talent returning.  Departing weak-side linebacker, Joshua Perry, was always quick to say there was not a big drop-off from him to his backup, Dante Booker.  The same could be said of departing “walk-out” or strong-side linebacker, Darron Lee's, back-up, Chris Worley.  Both Booker and Worley will be juniors.  

Incidentally, the projected backups at all three linebacker positions are extremely promising young players.  From the '15 class, there's WLB, Justin Hilliard, MLB, Nick Conner, and SLB, Jerome Baker.  They should all see significant playing time in '16.  Top recruit, Keandre Jones, may even see the field as a true freshman.  Urban Meyer has called him “the jewel” of the '16 recruiting class.  

In 2016, Ohio State will feature one of the nation's top returning cornerbacks with junior, Gareon Conley.  Competition for the other corner spot appears to be wide open – but a couple of players with some experience already under their belts will be in the mix. 

Junior, Damon Webb, should be ready to step in.  And while he's battled chronic hamstring trouble throughout most of his career so far, Marshon Lattimore has looked extremely promising at times.  There is some talk that Lattimore, a rs sophomore, could move to safety, however.  Denzel Ward was dazzling on special teams in '15.  The soon-to-be sophomore is sure to be a consideration at corner as well.

But the main point here is – that while there will certainly be a lot of new “starters” - the lack of experience in general on the '16 defense may not be quite as alarming as it initially appears.  There are sure to be some growing pains, but there's also plenty of reason to be optimistic -

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