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Second Season Stars - Defense

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buckeye phi's picture
February 27, 2017 at 1:35pm
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It recently came to my attention how critical many fans have been of Buckeyes who were only in their first year as starters last year.  While Ohio State has had some remarkable performances from first year starters over the last few seasons - among coaches, it is widely believed players typically improve the most from their first year to their second year as a starter (or significant contributor). 

First season starters who suddenly explode on to the scene like JT Barrett and Darron Lee (in 2014) - and Malik Hooker (last year) are more the exception than the rule.  So, let's take a look at some of the Buckeyes who will be entering their second season as starters (or significant contributors) in 2017. 

We started with the line and worked our way back on offense last week.  There are a few players who could fit the category in the defensive line's 2-deep rotation, so I suppose that's as good a place to start as any, once more. 

Defensive end, Sam Hubbard saw the field in 2015 about as much as one could reasonably expect as Joey Bosa's back-up.  But 2016 was his first year as a "starter" - so technically, he qualifies as a potential Second Season Star. 

He came in to last season with a fair amount of hype - so much so that looking only at his stats, some fans considered him to be a bit of a disappointment.  I'm not so sure that's entirely justified, though. 

It may not be fair to the other defensive ends who potentially fit the criteria, as well.  In last year's two deep rotation, Jalyn Holmes and Nick Bosa definitely played enough to be considered Second Season Stars with major performances in '17.   But perhaps their numbers shouldn't necessarily be expected to shoot through the roof, either

While the overall talent on Ohio State's defense has been second to none, part of the reason the defense has been so dominant the last couple of seasons has been scheme.  It began under defensive co-coordinators Chris Ash and Luke Fickell.  But it continued - and was possibly refined a bit - under Greg Schiano and Fickell last season. 

Of course, the only common coaching link when it comes to the front seven (including the upcoming season) is Defensive Line Coach, Larry Johnson.  He has done a masterful job of taking advantage of what he has had - and "coaching around" the little he hasn't had. 

The coaches realized that with the talent they had at defensive end, they could apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks without needing to blitz very often.  But in the present era, most college quarterbacks are fairly mobile.  So, with only four players rushing the passer (for the most part), maintaining lane integrity naturally became an even higher priority than usual. 

Just look at some footage from last season with that in mind and it becomes clear.  Especially on obvious passing downs - in the "Rushmen Package" - there were often instances where a defensive lineman could potentially have broken free to the QB if he was not so obliged to maintain lane integrity. 

By the way, in his final season as a Buckeye, even the great Joey Bosa's sack total was down from the previous year.  It obviously didn't hurt his standing in the eyes of NFL coaches and scouts in the know, however - as he was selected with the 4th pick overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.  They saw what was happening - and why.

All of the Buckeye ends had the ability to apply decent pressure, while still fulfilling their lane responsibilities, within this scheme.  They were also athletic enough to nail most QBs who tried to escape the usually quickly shrinking pocket. 

In a system like Ohio State's, it only stands to reason the actual sack numbers may not have been terribly high.  So what?  It's hard to argue with the results when it comes to the defensive performance as a whole. 

Clearly, this philosophy enabled the coaches to play the entire back seven in coverage more often than not - giving wily old secondary coaches like Schiano and Coombes more coverage options in the process. 

What we might have lost in total sack numbers, we more than made up for in interceptions (twenty-one on the season).  Plus, the risk of giving up back-breaking plays to QBs who might have otherwise escaped the pocket was greatly diminished. 

Hubbard, Holmes and Bosa are sure to benefit from another year in the program.  It is not unreasonable to expect - that along with senior (and returning sack leader), Tyquan Lewis - they'll be able to apply even more pressure on a regular basis this season while still maintaining their lane responsibilities. 

At the "3 technique" defensive tackle, Dre'Mont Jones burst on to the scene with an outstanding performance as a redshirt freshman in '16.  It would actually be more surprising if he did not continue to improve as a sophomore. 

The only real question facing Coach Johnson moving forward is depth at the "1 technique" tackle spot.  An issue he's demonstrated he's capable of "coaching around".  But of course, that could add some pressure to the linebackers

Speaking of the linebackers, Ohio State's two returning starters at outside 'backer each fit the category.  There were surprisingly few significant errors made by either Jerome Baker or Chris Worley in their first season as starters. 

Linebackers typically improve with experience more than many other positions.  Baker and Worley are each gifted athletes.  They're almost certain to play even better in '17 than they did last year - and that's really saying something. 

The only cornerback who (kinda) fits the category is Denzel Ward.  He was listed as a  proverbial "OR" on the depth chart last year - even though Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley took the majority of snaps before heading off for the NFL 

Widely considered to be the fastest man on the entire team - naturally, it is hoped he will make that first-to-second-season jump the Buckeyes have actually come to expect from their corners. 

One of the more "controversial" players to fit this category (besides offensive tackle, Isaiah Prince) is our lone returning true starter in the secondary, safety, Damon Webb.  Webb may have had a few issues in '16 - but before being too hard on him, fans might be wise to take a few factors in to consideration. 

First of all - he was in the same secondary as three players who could go in the first round of the NFL draft in April.  There's little doubt - Hooker Lattimore and Conley will all be "first night" selections, in any case.  Kinda hard to look too spectacular surrounded by that kind of talent. 

(Of course, an argument could be made that their presence should have enabled him to benefit from their play.  But that doesn't fit my narrative today - so let's move on)

Secondly - at this time last year Webb had just begun to make the transition from corner to safety.  In Ohio State's defense (and most defenses, for that matter), safety is a harder position to master than corner.  That is - assuming the player in question has the physical ability to play either.  Mentally, safeties tend to have much more on their plates. 

Sure, to many fans Malik Hooker appeared to "come out of nowhere" last season.  But keep in mind, as a redshirt sophomore, he had been in the program, learning the position for a couple of years by then. 

I say - cut Damon Webb a break - and give him another off-season to get everything down a little better before crucifying him for struggling last year. 

Every loyal Buckeye is hoping the offense can get it's collective act together in the passing game in '17.  The new coaches certainly have their work cut out for them in that regard. 

However, my sense is, the defense will be expected to remain at the extraordinarily high level of play it's delivered the past few seasons.   Whether that's really fair or not is another question. 

While there are significant holes to fill in the secondary, the front seven may just be so dominant in the upcoming season it might not really matter that much.  Plus, coaches Schiano and Coombes have Buckeye nation pretty spoiled by what they've been able to do so far - and they have a great deal of talent at their disposal - albeit, mostly unproven. 

With the emergence of several Second Season Stars throughout - the '17 defense could easily wind up being among the nation's best once again -

 

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