Ohio State has had many great players appear in the U.S. All-American Bowl. This little piece is designed to compare and rank the 2017 Ohio State defensive players to the Buckeyes of All-American Bowl past.
If you would like to get a glimpse of Ohio State's future in action, NBC will air the 2017 U.S. All-American Bowl at 1:00 today.
Go here to see the offensive players.
CORNERBACK
| YEAR | NAME | HT | WT | STARS | 247 | STATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | SHAUN WADE | 6-1 | 177 | ★★★★★ | 988 | FL |
| 2014 | DAMON WEBB | 5-11 | 180 | ★★★★ | 982 | MI |
| 2013 | ELI APPLE | 6-1 | 185 | ★★★★ | 975 | NJ |
| 2014 | MARSHON LATTIMORE | 6-0 | 175 | ★★★★ | 973 | OHIO |
| 2009 | COREY BROWN | 6-0 | 189 | ★★★★ | 949 | PA |
| 2010 | CHRISTIAN BRYANT | 5-11 | 178 | ★★★★ | 937 | OHIO |
Shaun Wade is currently the highest rated commit to play in the All-American Bowl. However, Wade could find himself third if Jeffrey Okudah (995) and Darnay Holmes (992) pledge to Ohio State during today's game.
If that happens, the Buckeyes will have four US Army All-Americans at cornerback on the 2017 roster.
Wade is the highest rated Ohio State CB commit to play in the US All-American Bowl.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
| YEAR | NAME | HT | WT | STARS | 247 | STATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | MICHAEL BENNETT | 6-7 | 275 | ★★★★ | 972 | OHIO |
| 2017 | HASKELL GARRETT | 6-2 | 298 | ★★★★ | 968 | NV |
| 2012 | TOMMY SCHUTT | 6-2 | 300 | ★★★★ | 960 | IL |
| 2013 | MICHAEL HILL | 6-2 | 315 | ★★★★ | 924 | SC |
| 2009 | JOHN SIMON | 6-2 | 270 | ★★★★ | 918 | OHIO |
It appears that Haskell Garrett has the measurable to become an impact player on Ohio State's defensive line. With the guidance of Larry Johnson, I believe the Nevada native will become a key cog for the defense.
Haskell Garrett is the fifth Ohio State DT to play in the All-American Bowl.
WEAK-SIDE DEFENSIVE END
| YEAR | NAME | HT | WT | STARS | 247 | STATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | ADOLPHUS WASHINGTON | 6-4 | 245 | ★★★★★ | 988 | OHIO |
| 2017 | CHASE YOUNG | 6-5 | 225 | ★★★★★ | 988 | MD |
| 2016 | JONATHON COOPER | 6-2 | 234 | ★★★★ | 980 | OHIO |
| 2014 | JALYN HOLMES | 6-5 | 225 | ★★★★ | 962 | VA |
Looking at the list above, it is amazing the talent that Urban Meyer has been assembling at weak-side defensive end. Remember that this list only reflects players to be selected at weak-side defensive end for the All-American Bowl.
Larry Johnson is assembling a defensive line that should create havoc and nightmares for opposing quarterbacks for years to come.
Chase Young brings more depth to an uber talented defensive line.
OFFENSIVE OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
| YEAR | NAME | HT | WT | STARS | 247 | STATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | BARON BROWNING | 6-5 | 230 | ★★★★★ | 993 | TX |
| 2009 | DORIAN BELL | 6-1 | 225 | ★★★★★ | 989 | PA |
| 2008 | ETIENNE SABINO | 6-3 | 240 | ★★★★★ | 987 | FL |
| 2015 | JUSTIN HILLIARD | 6-0 | 225 | ★★★★★ | 985 | OHIO |
| 2013 | MIKE MITCHELL | 6-4 | 222 | ★★★★ | 973 | TX |
| 2014 | DANTE BOOKER | 6-3 | 212 | ★★★★ | 972 | OHIO |
| 2002 | STAN WHITE JR | 6-3 | 225 | ★★★★ | 900 | MD |
It should not come as a surprise that the linebacker position has the most players for the Buckeyes. Combining OLB and ILB, Ohio State has had nine commits participate in the US All-American bowl.
Fans should be excited that Baron Browning is at the top of this list.
Baron Browning continues the tradition at linebacker. The Texas native is Ohio State's highest-rated OLB to play in the All-American Bowl.
Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football and the road to the national championship. With the influx of talent in the 2017 class, it appears Urban Meyer is solidifying a team that is already loaded with talent.
The players and knowledgeable football fans know which school is the real linebacker university.
