Looking ahead to the 2018 season does the crystal ball portend well or I'll for Ohio State? Let's take a look by position.
----- offense -----
QB - JT Barrett and his big game disappearing act will walk out the door leaving NFL prospect Dwayne Haskins at the helm.
Verdict: Upgrade
Running back - no significant graduations or additions.
Verdict: no change
Tight end - Meyer era tight ends have been defined as guys who overperdorm their potential. Baugh has been a guy who's underperformed his potential. There are 3 tight ends on the roster who are the most talented the team has recruited in a decade and they get a chance to start.
Verdict: Upgrade
Wide receiver: the best WRs still have eligibility and young 5-star guys are in the pipeline
Verdict: Upgrade
O-line: Jamarco and price are by far and away the best 2 linemen on the team and they're graduating. The depth chart has been questionable behind them.
Verdict: Big downgrade
----- Defense -----
D-line - the best defensive line in school history will likely graduate 4 of it's 5 best players. But Nick Bosa and Chase Young are as talented as any in school history. Urban reloads not rebuilds.
Verdict: no change
Linebackers - the position group most responsible for 2017 failures other than the QB is the linebackers. Worely will graduate but Booker and Baker still have eligibility. Will Urban do what's necessary to get 5-star linebacker talent currently sitting on our bench onto the field?
Verdict:. Upgrade only if Urban does what's necessary and cleans house.
Cornerback: Ward is awesome and will go pro. Lots of 5-star talent and the best CB coach in the country to train them up. I'm going to go out on a limb and say next man up.
Verdict: No change
Safety - Webb and Smith never grew into their recruiting rankings and will be gone. Pryor should be an upgrade and fuller is solid.
Verdict: Upgrade.
Conclusion:
If Urban has the bravery to rebuild his linebacking corps and Dwayne Haskins is as good as he looks then the 2018 season could be a return to the playoffs. But the offensive line remains in a tenuous place, the fate of the season may hinge on its progress in the off-season.
