I know that we haven't even kicked off the 2017 season, with a couple starters yet to be determined... BUT... watching those position battles has got me thinking. Who wins these battles, and who has a breakout decision, could determine whether we lose all eleven actual starters to graduation/the NFL, along with possibly a couple "ORs."

At DE, along with Srs Holmes and Lewis, it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that rJr Hubbard is gone after this year. This makes 2 starters plus an "OR."

At DT, Hill & Sprinkle are Srs, while rSo Jones looks as if he could be an early round draftee.  2 of these three will be starting; the third could be an "OR."

At LB, Worley is a Sr, while rSo Baker is projected as an early-round draftee should he (likely) leave.  If rJr Booker has a a breakout season as many predict, would he stick around for his final year of eligibility?

At Safety, Webb is a Sr starter, while Smith COULD be if he wins the starter's job, and if he doesn't he could be rotated.

Ar CB, although Ward is just a Jr, it seems likely that he will enter the draft. Either Sheffield or Arnette is going to win the other job.  Although both will have eligibility remaining, with a breakout season, either upon starting for a year could be gone (perhaps Sheffield being more likely than Arnette to do so).

So we will likely see a mass exodus of starters on the defensive side of the ball, possibly including ALL of them. There is talent across the board behind them, but does such turnover cause issues in 2018?

Ok, I got that off my chest.  Now would THIS season please get underway! I need some Buckeye football!