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Future Defensive Recruiting

By otrain2416 -06 March 2013
11 Comments
- Recruiting

OSU made an interesting yet smart move yesterday on the defensive side of the ball working mainly in a 4-2-5 formation which we ran 70% of the time last year leaving our 4-3 for run heavy teams like Wisconsin and Penn State. My question is do you think our recruiting numbers in these position are going to change like we saw last year taking more DBs and DL than we did LBs? I know LB are very important for special teams and I'm not saying I wouldn't gladly take Berger, McMillan, Booker, and Garrett with open arms if they wanted to commit. Just a generalized thought/ statement about future recruiting defensive numbers with the 4-2-5 defense were running. What do you guys think?

Triv on 6 Mar 2013 - 2:37pm #

It's my belief that we are mainly running out of a 4-2-5 due to the lack of 3 proven linebackers. It also could have something to do with more teams opting to go with a spread attack rather than the traditional I formation, but I believe Urban is trying to combat that with faster, more athletic outside linebackers (Shazier, Mitchell, Perkins). When Urban feels he has 3 linebackers that can consistently play high level football I think you'll see as move back to a 4-3 base and see the 4-2-5 on passing downs and against air raid teams

Sorry Urban, Woody is still my favorite

dubjayfootball90 on 6 Mar 2013 - 2:47pm #

Triv, I agree completely with that. The unproven 3rd lb is definitely an issue. Hell, one can even make a case that we have an unproven 2nd lb as well unless Grant can take the reigns (hopefully). The only sure thing is Shazier at LB for the group. But yea, I echo those sentiments.

Statutoryglory on 6 Mar 2013 - 2:53pm #

Urban's made no secret of his love for "safety" bodies. Those kind of guys can easily fit into a 4-2-5 and provide run support as well.

RunEddieRun1983 on 6 Mar 2013 - 3:05pm #

I think it's more to do with not having a veteran presence at LB. I think Meyer would like to run a traditional 4-3 but he hasn't found 2 LB's out of the three (Shazier being the exception) that he knows can be out there on an Island by themselves. By midseason I would anticipate that we will see more of a traditional 4-3 mixed in with the 4-2-5.

Just a life long Buckeye fan wanting to talk to other lifelong Buckeye fans. Our honor defend, we will fight to the end for OOO HIIII OOOOOO!

BEREABUCKEYE on 6 Mar 2013 - 3:18pm #

Anyone want to run a 5-1-5? I'm joking of course but it might actually fit the personnel better.

TheBadOwl on 6 Mar 2013 - 3:24pm #

Strangely enough, I'd love to see a lot of 3-4 in the future out of this team once the linebacker situation is fixed. Noah Spence, Tyquan Lewis, Jamal Marcus, and (hopefully) Dante Booker could all play the Clay Matthews role, rushing off the edge.

I wouldn't cheer for Michigan if they were playing the Taliban.

d1145fresh on 6 Mar 2013 - 3:24pm #

Personally I would like to see more man coverage across the field. I think we have better athletes across the board than most B1G teams and I would love to see our corners begin to develop into physical lock down corners instead of the consistent zone coverage that allows for small gains down the field. Last year those small gains would turn into big plays due to lack of tackling. Tighter coverage will work better IMO when you have a fantastic front four.

Buckeye_in_SEC_... on 6 Mar 2013 - 3:58pm #

Obviously with Urban as our head coach our recruiting has changed already, but I think our recruiting will lean a little more towards the 4-2-5... I think he will recruit LB's that are tall, lean, and fast. His DB's will be bigger like Burrows and Apple. His d-line will be very quick and aggressive. We won't see the traditional B1G team we are accustomed to seeing.