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Five Units that Should be Better in '16

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buckeye phi's picture
March 7, 2016 at 11:41am
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On the heels of the NFL combine – and as spring practice begins - naturally, a lot is being made of how many starters Ohio State has lost from the 2015 team.  Certainly, that's a lot of players in one year from one program.  But while it might be tempting to compare the projected starters in 2016 to '15's starters on a player-by-player basis – that may not actually be the best way to look at things.  

Urban Meyer has been using the mantra “nine units strong” for a while now – and that makes a lot of sense for a college football team.  Based on how some units actually performed in 2015 – verses how those units could reasonably be expected to perform in '16 – there may be more areas in which year-to-year improvement could be made than a lot of fans might think.  

There's an old adage in coaching that suggests it's best to build a football team from the inside-out.  That should serve the Buckeyes particularly well in '16.  Uncharacteristically for this early in the year, Meyer has already named three captains for the 2016 team.  

Interestingly enough, all three of those players happen to line-up straight through the middle of the formation.  Quarterback, JT Barrett and center Pat Elflein on offense - and middle linebacker, Raekwon McMillan on defense - should provide Ohio State with leadership where such an otherwise inexperienced team will need it most – right in the middle of the action.  

So, with Barrett. Elflein and McMillan leading the way – which units might actually play better in 2016?  

Quarterbacks  
Speaking of the middle of the action, Quarterback may be as good a place to start as any.  This should be an obvious area of potential improvement in '16.  First of all, there will not be the distraction of a “qb-geddon” this off-season.  And unlike 2015, JT Barrett has not been on crutches (or a scooter) to begin the year.  He'll participate in Spring practice.

Also, as a red-shirt junior, Barrett has already begun his fourth year in the program.  Already known as a highly intelligent player - in '16, there's going to be little a defensive coordinator can throw at him that he hasn't already seen.  The caliber of play Barrett was exhibiting at the end of last season may only be a taste of what could reasonably be expected in '16.  Plus, he should have plenty of help around him.   

Wide Receivers  
Three wide receivers from Ohio State participated in this year's combine.  But as crazy as it may seem, the effectiveness of Buckeye receivers, as a unit, may actually improve in '16.  Remember, OSU finished the '15 season ranked 100th nationally in passing offense.  Certainly, the blame for the poor showing cannot be laid entirely on the wide receivers – but nonetheless, there is a great deal of room for improvement from that performance.  

Talent aside - production from the wide receivers will almost certainly improve in 2016.  The unit should have more depth, too.  Wide receivers – Noah Brown and Corey Smith should both be back from injuries.  The speedy, Parris Campbell, should be back up to full strength as well.  Over the past couple of seasons, each has been praised by the coaches for their blocking, incidentally.   

While Braxton Miller was known for his speed – as talented as they are, the same can not be said of either Michael Thomas or Jalin Marshall.  As a unit, the wide receivers will be faster in '16.  In fact, when Smith and Campbell are both on the field, the difference could be considerable – providing greater separation and easier targets down-field for Barrett.  

Meyer has always wanted a rotation at wide receiver – and that could finally be the case this year.  Ohio State's highly respected strength and conditioning coach, Mickey Marotti, said James Clark was tearing up the track during the indoor season (for Ohio State's track team) – and that Johnny Dixon has been making good progress with his chronic knee issues.  Another speedster, rs sophomore, Terry McLaurin, will be back, also.
 
Now factor in the likes of KJ Hill who was practicing so well last year that Meyer considered burning his red-shirt late in the season.  There are two more promising rs freshmen (Torrance Gibson and Alex Stump) waiting in the wings, also.  

Even though he'll only be a true freshman, it may be impossible to keep Austin Mack off the field in '16.  Plus, Binjamin Victor was a highly sought after 4-star recruit.  In fact, “deep” hardly describes the situation.  Of course, none of that will matter if Barrett doesn't have time to get them the ball.  

Offensive Line  
This may seem like a strange point of view, at first.  After all, the offensive line was a veteran group in '15 – and they were playing lights out in the last two games.  But any objective review of the 2015 season as a whole would indicate there was, at least, some level of disappointment in the unit's performance.  For instance, they were badly outplayed in the team's only loss (to Michigan State).  

Any time a team loses a three-year starter (and likely first round draft pick) at offensive tackle, of course, it's going to be felt.  But that may be the only position on the offensive line where there won't, at least potentially, be an improvement.  No matter what – the line will be bigger in '16.  

The likely replacement for Taylor Decker at left tackle, Malcolm Pridgeon, is roughly the same height at 6'8” - and possibly, a few pounds heavier (320-ish).  And with Pat Elflein replacing the graduating Jacoby Boren – by sliding over from right guard - Ohio State's center will be a few inches inches taller and nearly 20lbs heavier in '16.  

Every player battling for the resultant opening at right guard has received good reports from the coaches (and each exceeds 300lbs, by the way).  With the strongest player on the team, Billy Price, returning at left guard – that, essentially, only leaves right tackle to consider.  

Chase Farris barely beat out Jamarco Jones for the starting spot last year.  It appears that this season, Jones, in turn, will have to fend off a challenge from Isaiah Prince – who is coming off an impressive freshman year.  

The point is – that as far as actual performance on the field for an entire season is concerned – as a unit, the offensive line could definitely be better in '16.  It should only be a matter of how long it takes for things to “gel”.  And – as a fifth-year senior, Pat Elflein at center makes that much less of a concern.

Tight Ends
The “starting” tight end from 2015, Nick Vannett is heading to the NFL.  But Marcus Baugh saw a great deal of playing time as Vannett's back-up – and also as the second tight end in the two-tight end sets the Buckeyes used frequently in '15.  

Vannett and Baugh were the only two healthy scholarship tight ends on the roster last season.  So more depth at the position in '16 is a given.  Both AJ Alexander and Rashod Berry were forced to red-shirt as freshmen in '15 due to injuries.  With a year in the system under their belts, they should be ready to contribute in '16.  

Plus, there are three highly touted tight end recruits joining the team.  Jake Hausman, in particular may be ready to step in at the major college level right away. 

Vannett was such a fine player, it's hard to imagine the unit will be significantly better this year – but the additional depth is so considerable, the tight ends should be stronger as a unit in '16.  

Special Teams  
Kick-off specialist, Jake Willoughby - long-snapper, Bryce Haynes - and punt returner, Jalin Marshall, have moved on – but the Buckeyes will have plenty of special teams experience and talent returning in '16.  

Cameron Johnston will be back for his senior year.  He was one of the B1G's best punters in 2014 and '15.  There's no reason to think he won't perform even better in '16.  Last season wasn't exactly “shank-free” – so there is some room for improvement.  

Junior-to-be, Sean Nuernberger, reclaimed the place-kicking duties from Willoughby during the season.  Hopefully, that will give him some momentum heading in to '16. 

And while, sophomore, Liam McCollough will be stepping in for a solid, veteran long-snapper (Haynes) – he is highly regarded by the coaches.  There shouldn't be much of a drop-off.  

The kick-off and punt returners were very good in '15 – but not great.  Average return yards were respectable – but Ohio State's return units did not score all season.  Other than blocked kicks – they scored only once over the last two years, for that matter.  They're due.  

The kick-off and punt coverage units have been absolutely superb  There's no reason to think that won't continue.

Urban Meyer pays a great deal of personal attention to his special teams.  In fact, according to Meyer, the Buckeyes were among the nation's leaders in starting field position differential in '15.  It would be surprising if they don't stay on an upward trajectory.  

So – that's five units that could reasonably be expected to improve from season to season .  Not bad for a team that's technically only returning three starters on offense and three on defense.  (Although, as covered here and here – that may not be an entirely accurate assessment of the situation)  But what about the other units?

Of course, it would be silly to suggest the the early departure of a back of Ezekiel Elliott's caliber isn't a big loss.  Although, as a unit – the running backs might not be taking as much of a step backwards as some might fear  

Curtis Samuel will continue to be a factor on offense - whether as a running back or as a receiver.  It wouldn't be surprising to see Bri'onte Dunn contributing in '16, too.  There's been some positive buzz about him from the coaches already this off-season.  

And even though he hasn't played a single down of college football, yet– a lot is expected of (rs) freshman, Mike Weber, this year.  Apparently, he's looked great in his opportunities in practice.  Early enrollee, Antonio Williams, is also looking good in winter workouts, by all accounts.  

Although there will undoubtedly be a step back to some degree (without Elliott) - there could be as many as four viable options at running back in '16.  

Defensively, it would really be stretching it to think there's a single unit that will actually be better in '16.  Other than safety, though – the drop-off might not be as severe as a lot of fans may be thinking.  

Obviously, the losses of defensive end, Joey Bosa and d-tackle, Adolphus Washington will be felt on the defensive line.  But it should be noted that (rs) junior, Tyquan Lewis, led the team in sacks – and Sam Hubbard was only a (rs) freshman last year.  Actual production might not drop-off that much.  The defensive ends will be very good - and deep - this season.  

However, tackle is another story.  With the departures of Washington and Tommy Schutt, there are  major questions there - with the possible exception of Michael Hill, who looked promising in limited action.  Hill, Donovan Munger and Tracy Sprinkle played well enough in the Fiesta Bowl – but at the very least, depth could be a real issue on '16.

At linebacker, the losses of Darron Lee and Joshua Perry will be felt, too – though, possibly not to the same degree.  Dante Booker and Chris Worley (and perhaps, Jerome Baker) are more than ready to roll, by all accounts.  

There's no doubt Eli Apple was an excellent cornerback for the Buckeyes over the past two seasons.  But that unit might not be taking an enormous step back, either.  There is tremendous talent waiting in the wings.  

Don't be surprised if sophomore-to-be, Denzel Ward, leap-frogs some pretty good players for the starting spot opposite Gareon Conley.  Ward was spectacular on special teams last season – and he's considered to be one of the fastest players on the roster.  They may not actually be better as a unit, per se – but corner may well be a position of strength in '16.

There may not be a unit on the team for which experience is more important than safety.  Practically by definition, mental mistakes there can cost the team six points more readily than at any other pair of positions.  

Not only is Ohio State losing both starting safeties from '15 to the NFL draft – but both of their back-ups from '15 (Erick Smith and Cameron Burrows) are currently rehabbing season-ending injuries.  

The raw talent is there, of course - but new safeties coach (and co-coordinator), Greg Schiano will have his work cut out for him.  Safety is a major concern, looking forward.  

 

 

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