Recently a table was presented with the top units of the top teams in the nation. I want to look at each unit separately to see how good are the Ohio State football units compared to other national teams. Do they have a relative advantage? Let's dig a little deeper and uncover info on each unit.
First, the defensive line (DL). The Buckeyes are considered to have one of the Top 5 DLs in college football. The other projected top DLs in alphabetical order are: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and Michigan. How do they stack up?
Ohio State boasts Nick Bosa at one end and star Chase Young on the other end with Dre Mont Jones on the inside. Bosa is considered to be one of the Top 12 players at any position and is projected to be a first-team All American (AA1). They and their DL teammates are coached by one of the best in the country, Larry Johnson. As we all know an early concern will be filling the loss of four key players: DEs Sam Hubbard, Jalyn Holmes and Tyquan Lewis, and DT Tracy Sprinkle.
Clemson is widely considered to have the best DL, and by a wide margin. Three of the Top 12 players in the country are Clemson Tigers and all three are on their DL. Two of them are projected to be AA1. Their fourth DL is only among the Top 25 players in the nation. All four-- Austin Bryant, Clelan Ferrell (AA1), Dexter Lawrence (AA3) and Christian Wilkins (AA1)-- have years of experience. Those four are backed up by two 5-star freshman.
Big Ten arch rival Michigan returns 3 of 4 starting DL from one of the stingiest defenses in 2017, which was #1 in tackles for loss. At the ends are Rashan Gary (Top 12, AA2) and Chase Winovich (Top 50, AA2) who wreaked havoc in last year's rivalry game.
As expected, the SEC is well represented. Alabama has DE Raekwon Davis (Top 25, AA3) with Isaiah Buggs, LaBryan Ray and Quinnen Williams alternating on the other end. The concern for ‘Bama will be replacing the monster NG Da'Ron Payne in the middle. The Crimson Tide also has a new DL position coach, Craig Kuligowski.
Auburn has a similar problem in filling the shoes of departed star DE Jeff Holland. On the interior Auburn has returning standout starters Derrick Brown (Top 50) and Marlon Davidson, who combined for 15.5 sacks in 2017.
After a season of experience and work with Larry Johnson, I think the young Buckeyes will have the second best DL in the country. Will they be good enough to dominate in the playoffs?
