The mid-season Defensive MVP is:

12 October 2012
35 Comments

John Simon

21% (308 votes)

Johnathan Hankins

51% (747 votes)

Ryan Shazier

7% (95 votes)

Bradley Roby

20% (293 votes)

Other

1% (11 votes)

Total votes: 1454

Comments

Bucks43201 on 12 Oct 2012 - 7:51am #

Travis Howard has been pretty good, too ... if nothing else - the INTs

"You win with people." - Woody Hayes

Alhan on 12 Oct 2012 - 8:58am #

Had to go with Hankins. My family have affectionately nicknamed him "the mattress".

You can kill a fly with your slipper or a cannon. Either way, the fly dies. -Ramzy

joel121270 on 12 Oct 2012 - 9:40am #

Big Hank for now....Simon keeps doing what he did on Saturday that vote just might change.

Matt Mod on 12 Oct 2012 - 9:46am #

Entire defense is predicated on Hank picking up double teams on every play and still blowing through them. He may not fill up the stat sheet, but without the pressure he creates, our secondary/LB troubles would be way worse.

Chris Staff on 12 Oct 2012 - 12:57pm #

Word ^^^^

pukindawg on 12 Oct 2012 - 1:26pm #

Totally agree. His play has a lot to do with the sucess of the rest of the team. IMO

Buckeyejason on 12 Oct 2012 - 9:55am #

Roby has made more game changing plays..but Hankins has dominated the line of scrimmage in every game, so I guess it's pick your favorite. Both could be MVP.

I have a feeling by seasons end that Simon will change our minds.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

BrewstersMillions on 12 Oct 2012 - 9:55am #

Hankins. Easily, clearly, by a mile, no questions asked.

Only player on the D that has brought it all 6 games.

4-6 seconds from point A to point B and when you get to point B, be pissed off

sir rickithda3rd on 12 Oct 2012 - 12:54pm #

i dont see how there is an argument for anyone other than hankins right now.

mark may wins douchebag of the year... again

Buckeyejason on 12 Oct 2012 - 1:15pm #

No argument, really? I'll try for Roby:

2 int.- 1 for td

11 pass breakups

1 sack

2 tfl's

34 tackles

blocked a punt

recovered a fumble for a td.

All in 6 games..that would be a good season for some.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

Squirrel Master on 12 Oct 2012 - 1:17pm #

5 games, sat out one with injury!

penult on 12 Oct 2012 - 2:50pm #

I agree it's not quite clear cut. Don't forget that Roby's pick six was aided by pressure from Hankins and a great block from him to boot.

Squirrel Master on 12 Oct 2012 - 1:16pm #

How about the guy leading the conference in pass attempts defended? IMO it has to be Roby. I have been a big advocate for Simon and I think the dude is a stud, same goes for Hankins, but they are apart of the strength of the defense and are rotated in and out. Not to take anything away from them at all. Hankins is the best player on the D and Simon is better than some give him credit!

but Roby is the best of the secondary and its leader! He is locking down his side of the field if anything! Plus add in his contributions in ST and the fact that he is leading the defense in points scored (one pick six, one on a punt mistake by Miami).

I'd give it to all of them but at this moment, Roby has been both consistent and made huge plays!

SouthBayBuckeye on 12 Oct 2012 - 1:24pm #

As Much as I always have a man-crush on d-lineman(a position future SBB jr will/must play) I have to say Roby. With out his play last week who knows if the Bucks would have ever snapped out of it. Squirrel Master alluded to his stat line above. All of that in 5 games.

But stop with the NFL 1st round pick talk, coaches. We want him back next year. Maybe he'll pull a Mike Doss. A man can dream...

Banned from ATO since June 3rd 2PMish PST

Squirrel Master on 12 Oct 2012 - 1:37pm #

Great point, losing Simon and most like Hankins is going to be such a huge blow to the D. Losing Roby would be even worst especially when OSU is also losing Travis Howard (say what you will but he is a veteran starter).

Luckily Shazier can't go anywhere!

SouthBayBuckeye on 12 Oct 2012 - 1:55pm #

I would lo ve to see Hank come back for selfish reasons only. But if he's a lock to go in the first round, with the way teams are shooting for his knees on every snap, he HAS to jump to the NFL and get that contract while he still can.

Banned from ATO since June 3rd 2PMish PST

cbusbuckeye on 12 Oct 2012 - 2:43pm #

Hankins has said before that he wants a championship...it'll be interesting to see if he goes pro (wouldn't be a surprise) or comes back for one final shot.

Earle on 12 Oct 2012 - 4:03pm #

Mike Doss needs to have a chat with him...

Buckeyejason on 12 Oct 2012 - 1:36pm #

Roby will be back next year for a few reasons

1. He's not one of the top corners in the country and is not projected as a 1st rd pick.

2. He's a smart kid that comes from a family that preaches education..hence the commitment to Vanderbilt before he changed to OSU...so he'd be getting his degree next year.

3. After this season..he should be a top corner going into next years season..which will set him up for a higher draft stock for the 2014 draft.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

buck-I.8 on 12 Oct 2012 - 1:38pm #

He's shown at moments this year that he's still young and has a lot to prove. If nothing else, this should show him that he has business to attend to in Columbus for a long time

Squirrel Master on 12 Oct 2012 - 1:40pm #

Totally agree! Despite how we feel about him, NFL pundits see a lot more in his top competition. There are some really good CB out there going into the draft! Also didn't even think about the education part. Kid is really smart!

Buckeyejason on 12 Oct 2012 - 2:02pm #

Shazier also has a lot to improve before he can be conspired a high draft pick in a year or two. Still takes bad angles, not that great in coverage yet, his frame/body still looks slim..almost like a WR.

I do think by his senior year though, Shazier can be a late 1st-2nd rd type player if he can improve those areas because we already the dude can fly and HIT..that's for sure.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

GoBucks713 on 12 Oct 2012 - 4:17pm #

With his speed and build, if he doesn't gain another 15 lbs he'll probably go to the NFL and be drafted as a Safety anyway, but that's if he gets his head in order and work on his pass coverage. Although he would be a perfect fit at LB in the CFL.

-The Aristocrats!

Buckeyejason on 12 Oct 2012 - 7:54pm #

I can't really see Shazier being a safety in the NFL..I mean if Doss couldn't really make it long in the league I can't imagine a LB who hasn't really shown much coverage skills play safety in a brutally tough passing league like the NFL. Another example is Jermale Hines.

I think Shazier will be one of the top LB's in college football in another year.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

BuddhaBuck on 12 Oct 2012 - 2:08pm #

I voted for Simon as MVP for his intangibles: playing through pain, giving emotional speeches, leading by example. I realize this doesn't make him an NFL 1st-Rounder, but it does make him an exceptional captain on a young football team which is why I believe he's most valuable.

Keep Calm and Ignore the Trolls.

Squirrel Master on 12 Oct 2012 - 3:57pm #

Might be surprised what does make an NFL 1st rounder these days. Who knows. In a league where Tebow can go in the first round, anything can happen.

UrbanCulture on 12 Oct 2012 - 5:47pm #

I expected Shazier to dominate this year, so much so I bought a number 10 jersey. He's had some nice plays and nice stats, I sitll dont think he has taken 'the next step' yet tho.

SouthBayBuckeye on 12 Oct 2012 - 5:56pm #

Lucky for you it can also double as a Corey "don't call me Philly" Brown jersey.

Banned from ATO since June 3rd 2PMish PST

ohiowhitesnake on 12 Oct 2012 - 10:53pm #

Needs to tackle and stop laying wood

Et_Tu_OSU on 12 Oct 2012 - 10:59pm #

I don't think you'll regret that purchase, that step is coming, and soon...

"The revolution will be televised."

Johnny_Buck71 on 12 Oct 2012 - 7:12pm #

It's clearly between Simon and Hankins to me. Roby and Shazier are dynamic and loaded with potential but also young and inconsistent. On the field, I think you go with Hankins and most seem to be going that way. I voted for Simon though for his off the field leadership and the fact that he is a senior. But really, you could go either way between those two.

A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore. - Yogi Berra

NoVA Buckeye on 12 Oct 2012 - 7:39pm #

No love for Howard Island?

/Duff'd It

Buckeyejason on 12 Oct 2012 - 7:51pm #

No way in hell Howard is defensive MVP so far. Besides a few picks he's gotten burned most of the season.

Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.

ohiowhitesnake on 12 Oct 2012 - 10:52pm #

Kerry Combs is the MVP! That dude looks like he's going to tackle someone every time he's seen on TV.

All kidding aside its Big Hank. He demands a double team nearly every play and gives the edge guys an advantage. Simon is the "emotional" MVP if there's such a thing but Hank makes it happen.

fwiw Goebel has has a nice season too

Et_Tu_OSU on 12 Oct 2012 - 11:02pm #

I truly believe that Simon is the MVP for everything he brings to the team, but just going by on-field play, I have to go with Hankins -- dude is flat-out killin' 'em two at a time.

"The revolution will be televised."